Even when Scatman Crothers was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1985, he continued to work on television; the cancer eventually spread to his esophagus and killed him on November 22, 1986 in Van Nuys, California.
But before all of these, Crothers performed in many clubs and on radio shows in the ’20s,’30s, and ’40s before making the move to television in 1948.
In the mid-1930’s, Mr. Crothers formed his own band and traveled throughout the Middle West, playing in some places where a black man had seldom been seen before.
Though many people probably remember him for an appearance in the film The Shining or for his role as Louie in Chico and the Man during the ’70s, Scatman Crothers had an extensive jazz and later R&B background.
“On the Sunny Side of the Street” and “Dead Man’s Blues” are two of Crothers’ hits.
