George W. Johnson

American comedian, singer and pioneer sound recording artist, he is best known for being the first African-American recording star. Born: c. October 1846 in Virginia, United States Died: January 23, 1914 in Queens, New York City, New York, United States Johnson had a small repertoire that he performed and recorded extensively in the 1890s. Five pieces were recorded, beginning in 1892 for New Jersey Phonograph Co. "The Whistling Coon", "The Laughing Song", "Laughing Coon" and "Whistling Girl", constituted his principal menu. They were made over and over again, for E. Berliner's Gramophone, Bettini, Columbia, Kansas City Talking Machine Co., Chicago Talking Machine Co., U.S. Everlasting Record, Zonophone Record, Victor and others. A fifth number , recorded only for Berliner, was the "Mocking Bird." The story that Johnson had been hanged for murdering his wife was disproved by Walsh, who documented that Johnson had been acquitted of that charge.