Songwriter. He wrote the music and lyrics for the early jazz standard "Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home?" (1902). It tells the story of Bailey, a railroad worker, whose wife kicks him out for his drinking and philandering. He later comes into a fortune. Mrs. Bailey sees him drive past in a new car and cries out the song's famous chorus. Over the years this jaunty tune was performed by Louis Armstrong, Jimmy Durante, Ella Fitzgerald, Della Reese, and Bobby Darin, and appeared in films as diverse as Warner Bros. cartoons, "Papa's Delicate Condition" (1963), and "The Conversation" (1974). It is still a favorite with Dixieland bands. Cannon was born in Detroit. He wrote songs and played piano for vaudeville acts, notably blackface performer John Queen, who introduced "Bill Bailey". He also collaborated on May Irwin's Broadway musical "Mrs. Black Is Back" (1904). His other hits include "Just Because She Made Dem Goo-Goo Eyes" (1900), "I Hates To Get Up Early In The Morning" (1901), and "He Done Me Wrong" (1904). The latter provided the melody of the classic barroom ballad, "Frankie and Johnny" (1912). A heavy drinker, Cannon fell ill and died at 35 during an engagement in Toledo, Ohio. The fictional Bailey shares billing on his tombstone.
Songwriter. He wrote the music and lyrics for the early jazz standard "Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home?" (1902). It tells the story of Bailey, a railroad worker, whose wife kicks him out for his drinking and philandering. He later comes into a fortune. Mrs. Bailey sees him drive past in a new car and cries out the song's famous chorus. Over the years this jaunty tune was performed by Louis Armstrong, Jimmy Durante, Ella Fitzgerald, Della Reese, and Bobby Darin, and appeared in films as diverse as Warner Bros. cartoons, "Papa's Delicate Condition" (1963), and "The Conversation" (1974). It is still a favorite with Dixieland bands. Cannon was born in Detroit. He wrote songs and played piano for vaudeville acts, notably blackface performer John Queen, who introduced "Bill Bailey". He also collaborated on May Irwin's Broadway musical "Mrs. Black Is Back" (1904). His other hits include "Just Because She Made Dem Goo-Goo Eyes" (1900), "I Hates To Get Up Early In The Morning" (1901), and "He Done Me Wrong" (1904). The latter provided the melody of the classic barroom ballad, "Frankie and Johnny" (1912). A heavy drinker, Cannon fell ill and died at 35 during an engagement in Toledo, Ohio. The fictional Bailey shares billing on his tombstone.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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