"My friend Marty O’Keefe is a walking encyclopedia of Irish music. He did not record a CD until he was 90 years old. He recently celebrated his ninety-ninth birthday.
Earlier this year, ukulele player Bill Tapia, who is believed to be the oldest actively performing musician released his latest CD – a live recording of his 100 birthday concert. Tapia is 103 years old!
Tapia died in his sleep Friday at his home in the Los Angeles area only a few weeks shy of his hundred and fourth birthday.
The son of Portuguese parents, Tapia was born in Honolulu on New Year’s Day in 1908, Bill Tapia has entertained the troops in World War I, shared the stage with music legends Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday, Fats Waller, and Bing Crosby, and has been a teacher for Clark Gable and Shirley Temple. After teaching guitar for many years, Tapia made a musical comeback when he was 96 years old when he released an album of jazz and Hawaiian standards. The Ukulele Hall of Fame inducted Tapia as a member in 2004. Earlier this year Tapia was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hawaiian Academy of Recording Arts."
Earlier this year, ukulele player Bill Tapia, who is believed to be the oldest actively performing musician released his latest CD – a live recording of his 100 birthday concert. Tapia is 103 years old!
Tapia died in his sleep Friday at his home in the Los Angeles area only a few weeks shy of his hundred and fourth birthday.
The son of Portuguese parents, Tapia was born in Honolulu on New Year’s Day in 1908, Bill Tapia has entertained the troops in World War I, shared the stage with music legends Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday, Fats Waller, and Bing Crosby, and has been a teacher for Clark Gable and Shirley Temple. After teaching guitar for many years, Tapia made a musical comeback when he was 96 years old when he released an album of jazz and Hawaiian standards. The Ukulele Hall of Fame inducted Tapia as a member in 2004. Earlier this year Tapia was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hawaiian Academy of Recording Arts."
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