Arthur Lee Simpkins was an African-American singer with a unique talent. He was born in South Carolina in 1907, where he became known as the "Black Caruso" in reference to the legendary opera singer Enrico Caruso. In 1936, Simpkins recorded a hit version of "Sing, Sing, Sing" with Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra. That record jump started Simpkins career, allowing him to perform a wide variety of music ranging from classic standards to operatic renditions, and not just different genres, but in many different languages and dialects. Simpkins performed on television regularly during the medium's early days, and also appeared in movies, like the film Why Men Leave Home in 1951. He was last remembered for singing at the memorial for legendary R&B legend Sam Cooke in 1964. Tragically, Simpkins died from a routine bladder operation in 1972 and was largely forgotten. You will hear Arthur Lee Simpkins sing three songs on the David Rose Show on CBS Radio in 1950.
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