The Louis Armstrong Discography: Twilight (1963 - 1971)

The Louis Armstrong Discography: Twilight (1963 - 1971)

The sixties saw the biggest cultural upheaval in the Western World since, well, the twenties. Once again, an old line of performers was washed aside by an unrelenting flood of fresh artists and their young fans. But this time, Louis Armstrong was the old line.

The decade that started off with a fine pairing with Duke Ellington, and kept rolling with a lively and inventive concept-album tribute by Dave Brubeck. But before long, Louis' recorded career sank into a morass of mediocre MOR, swept aside by the infectious energy of rock and roll. Late-decade attempts at a revival with a Disney collection and an ill-advised modern pop album did nothing to boost this falling-out; yet, true to form, his own enthusiasm never sagged.

Ironically, as his recorded output reached its nadir, Satch's popularity soared to its all-time peak. Spurred by the unexpected worldwide success of "Hello Dolly" (a song he had forgotten even recording!), he was suddenly in demand for every television venue available. A new generation of music buyers was handed a hearty introduction to the King of Jazz, though for many it was a long time before they could hope to grasp his importance. His last big hit, "What a Wonderful World", didn't really leave its mark until its inclusion in the film Good Morning, Vietnam, 16 years after he had passed away. But the song perfectly encapsulates the heart and soul of Louis Armstrong: anytime he appeared on film, played on stage, or performed on record, it was, indeed, a wonderful, wonderful world.

Armstrong died of a heart attack on July 6, 1971, at his home in Corona, Queens, New York, NY. He is interred in Flushing Cemetery in Queens, New York.

Louis Armstrong and The All Stars
December 3, 1963: New York, NY

The publisher got Glaser to get Armstrong to record this tune from a Broadway production that had yet to open simply as a way to promote the show. Louis and the boys clearly didn't think much of this toss-off tune and the record company overdubbed the nostalgic "Dixieland" banjo to give it a little extra pasteurized cheese pep. But when Glaser heard the demo, he smelled a hit and pushed hard to get it released. Within weeks, it would be the biggest selling disc in America (at the height of Beatlemania) and fuel Armstrong's popularity throughout his final decade.

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Mike Douglas Show (television)
January 13, 1964: Cleveland, OH

First show of a week of appearances on the popular talk show. The All Stars may be replaced by the house band on some cuts.

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Mike Douglas Show (television)
January 14, 1964: Cleveland, OH

Mike Douglas Show (television)
January 15, 1964: Cleveland, OH

Mike Douglas Show (television)
January 16, 1964: Cleveland, OH

Mike Douglas Show (television)
January 17, 1964: Cleveland, OH

What's My Line? (television)
March 22, 1964: Unknown location

Appearance as a "Mystery Guest"

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Louis Armstrong and The All Stars
April 18, 1964: New York, NY

After a two-year studio layoff, Armstrong is suddenly in demand for recording by any and all labels interested at all. Amazing what a hit record can do!

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The Hollywood Palace (Episode 1.22) (television)
May 30, 1964: Hollywood, CA

Armstrongs first of six appearances on the popular, long-running Saturday night variety show of the mid-to-late 1960's, originating from the Hollywood Palace Theater (formerly the El Capitan) on Hollywood Boulevard. There was a revolving guest host, usually a singer or comedian, each week. Bing Crosby was the most frequent guest host (including, of course, the Christmas Week show), but other frequent guest hosts included Sammy Davis, Jr., Jimmy Durante, Don Adams, Fred Astaire, and Judy Garland. The Rolling Stones made their first U.S. TV appearence on the show in 1964. The waning popularity of weekly variety shows contributed to "Hollywood Palace" being cancelled in early 1970, but it's still well-remembered by its many fans. (Bob Sorrentino, IMDB)

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Louis Armstrong and The All Stars
September 3, 1964: New York, NY

"So Long, Dearie" was songwriter Jerry Herman's followup to "Hello, Dolly."

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The Ed Sullivan Show (episode 18.2) (television)
October 4, 1964: New York, NY

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Louis Armstrong and The All Stars
November 3, 1964: New York, NY

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The Hollywood Palace (Episode #2.13) (television)
December 19, 1964: Hollywood, CA

Not listed in Willems discography

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The Bell Telephone Hour: The American Song (NBC) (television)
February 2, 1965: Unknown Location

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Hello Satchmo (film)
March 1, 1965: Lucerna Hall, Prague, Czechoslovakia

25-minute documentary of Armstrong's visit to Prague filmed by the (then-young) documentary film maker Jan Spata. Not included in Willems discography.

Presumably, the same concert was released in 1980 as Louis Armstrong In Prague: Lucerna Hall 1965 on Panton 8015 0075, and later on Meteor Records CDMT 032. Available in MP3 on Amazon with Indiana mislabeled as Louisiana.

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Louis Armstrong and His All Stars
March 22, 1965: Friedrichstadtpalast, Berlin, Germany

Released on iTunes and as two stereo CDs by Jazzpoint Records: JP 1062 and JP 1063

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The Hollywood Palace (Episode #2.30 and #3.2) (television)
April 11, 1965: ABC Palace Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

Two programs taped on the same day and aired May 1, 1965 and May 29, 1965.

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Louis Armstrong and His All Stars
June 4, 1965: Paris, France

Released on a Double LP The Essential Louis Armstrong: Recorded Live At The Palais Des Sports, Paris, 1965. Digitally remastered by Alexis Frenkel and Christophe Henault (Art Et Son Studio, Paris, France) in 2001 for a CD release on Verve.

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Shindig (ABC) (television)
July, 1965: Hollywood, CA

Two shows recorded on the same day for air on November 4, 1965 and November 11, 1965. The first has been issued on video as "Solo" (Jazz Classics JCVC 102)

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Where the Boys Meet the Girls (film)
July 26, 1965: Hollywood, CA

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Louis Armstrong and The All Stars
September 10, 1965: Hollywood, CA

"I Like This Kind of Party" and "The Three of Us" were originally released only in Europe.

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The Dean Martin Show (NBC) (television)
September 26, 1966: Los Angeles, CA

Two shows taped simultaneously and aired on October 21, 1965 and December 9, 1965. IMDB lists a Dean Martin Show appearance that aired on November 3, 1966 but is not listed in Willems discography. Armstrong joins host Martin, Les Brown and His Band of Renown, strings and a chorus on the two medleys.

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A Man Called Adam (film)
November, 1965: Boston, MA

Supporting role as Willie Ferguson in this Sammy Davis Jr. vehicle.

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I've Got a Secret (television)
December 27, 1965: New York, NY

Panel discussion with Steve Allen, including an appearance by Peter Davis, who was Armstrong's first music teacher when Armstrong was incarcerated at the Colored Waif's Home in 1912.

Louis Armstrong and The All Stars
April, 1966: New York, NY

"Saints" was paired with "Mame", from the following session, for a new single.

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Louis Armstrong and The All Stars
May, 1966: New York, NY

"Mame" became the new Armstrong single, backed with "The Saints..." from the April session.

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Louis Armstrong With Guy Lombardo's Orchestra
July, 1966: New York, NY

A one-off single for Capitol with a bandleader that Armstrong, oddly enough, deeply admired.

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Louis Armstrong and The All Stars
August 25, 1966: New York, NY

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Louis Armstrong and The All Stars
August 25, 1966: New York, NY

The cavalcade of show tunes continues with this one-off single, now for Columbia.

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The Ed Sullivan Show (episode 20.1) (television)
September 11, 1966: New York, NY

Armstrong's final appearance on, perhaps, the most important television variety show of the 20th century.

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The Hollywood Palace (Episode #4.26) (television)
September, 1966: Hollywood, CA

Air date April 1, 1967

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Danny Kaye Show (television)
September, 1966: Los Angeles, CA

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Louis Armstrong With Gerald Sims' Orchestra
March, 1967: New York, NY

A jump over to Brunswick for a pair of singles.

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The Tonight Show (television)
June 22, 1967: New York, NY

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Louis Armstrong and the All Stars
July 25, 1967: The Odd Fellow Paleet, Copenhagen, Denmark

www.amazon.com

www.allmusic.com

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French Television Broadcast (television)
July 26, 1967: Juan-Les-Pins, France

First of two nights at the Antibes Jazz Festival.

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French Television Broadcast (television)
July 27, 1967: Juan-Les-Pins, France

Second of two nights at the Antibes Jazz Festival.

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The Tonight Show (television)
August 3, 1967: New York, NY

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Louis Armstrong's Orchestra And Chorus
August 16, 1967: United Studios, Las Vegas, NV

There are some discrepancies in information about "What a Wonderful World." Willems (pp 380) places the recording in New York City, while Jack Doyle places the recording in Las Vegas during Armstrong's stint at the Hotel Tropicana. Willems and the HMV 45-RPM single (POP 1615) list "G. Douglas" as a writer instead of producer "Bob Thiele," who both Doyle and the ASCAP database instead credit as one of the two writers. Willems lists Tommy Goodman as the arranger, while Doyle credits Artie Butler. "What a Wonderful World" was a top selling single in Britain in 1968, but the song was not promoted as a single in the US, reputedly because of the recalcitrance of ABC executive Larry Newton, who was vehemently opposed to Armstrong recording the song in the first place. Armstrong would have the posthumous last laugh when the song would reach prominence after inclusion in the film Good Morning, Vietnam two decades later in 1987. That usage of the song is actually an anachronism since it is played in a scene set in 1965 (two years before the recording), but director Barry Levinson felt the song's aptness to the scene was worth the historical inaccuracy.

www.pophistorydig.com

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Louis Armstrong and the All Stars
August 16, 1967: United Studios, Las Vegas, NV

This is Armstrong's second recording of "Cabaret." The first recording for Columbia in 1966 features strings behind a subdued All Stars, while this second recording for ABC features is a much more lively and improvisational All-Stars-only performance clearly reflecting a year of the group living with the song on the road.

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Louis Armstrong With Dick Jacobs' Orchestra
October 9, 1967: New York, NY

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The Tonight Show (television)
October 11, 1967: New York, NY

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Louis Armstrong With Dick Jacobs' Orchestra
November 1, 1967: New York, NY

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Louis Armstrong E I Suoi Solisti
December 11, 1967: New York, NY

Two singles for the Italian market.

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Louis Armstrong E I Suoi Solisti
December 12, 1967: New York, NY

Two singles for the Italian market.

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Louis Armstrong and The All Stars
December 18, 1967: New York, NY

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The Jackie Gleason Show (episode 2.16) (television)
December 30, 1967: Miami, FL

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The Hollywood Palace (Episode #5.22) (television)
January 11, 1968: Los Angeles, CA

ABC-TV program hosted by Milton Berle. Aired February 24, 1968

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The Tonight Show (television)
January 25, 1968: New York, NY

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San Remo Song Festival (television)
February 2-3, 1968: San Remo, Italy

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The Bell Telephone Hour: Jazz, The Intimate Art (television)
February 20, 1968: Kapp Studios, New York, NY

Aired April 26, 1968. Video KAYJAZZ KJ 016

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Louis Armstrong With Dick Jacobs' Orchestra
February 20, 1968: New York, NY

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Louis Armstrong
February 27, 1968: New York, NY

First session for the AlbumDisney Songs The Satchmo Way

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Louis Armstrong and The All Stars
March 26, 1968: New York, NY

"Talk to the Animals" was used in the credits of the Eddie Murphy film version ofDr. Doolittle.

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The Tonight Show (television)
March 28, 1968: New York, NY

Sammy Davis, Jr. guest hosts

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40th Annual Academy Awards (television)
April 10, 1968: Hollywoood, CA

Broadcast hosted by Bob Hope

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The Tonight Show (television)
April 22, 1968: New York, NY

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Louis Armstrong
May 16, 1968: Hollywood, CA

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Louis Armstrong
May 17, 1968: Hollywood, CA

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Hello, Dolly (film)
May, 1968: Hollywood, CA

A big-budget film marred by the unfortunate casting of a much-too-young Barbara Streisand. Pops had the hit single so he got a four minute cameo to sing the title cut and steal the show.

imdb.com

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BBC-TV Program (television)
Louis Armstrong and The All Stars
July 2, 1968: Shepherd's Bush Studios, London, England

Two shows for the BBC taped on the same day and aired on August 2, 1968 and August 9, 1968. Shows also included a number of other songs featuring members of the band, including vocalist Jewel Brown.

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Louis Armstrong and The All Stars
July 23, 1968: Las Vegas, Nevada

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Louis Armstrong and The All Stars
July 24, 1968, Las Vegas, Nevada

Armstrong suffered from serious heart and kidney problems from September, 1968 through April, 1969 and spent considerable time in the hospital. When he returned to performing in late 1969, he was ordered by his doctor to stop playing trumpet due to the strain on his lungs. Armstrong resumed playing trumpet sporadically in September, 1970.

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On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film)
October 28, 1969: London, England

Armstrong's first recording since suffering major health problems in late '68 and early '69.

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Today Show (NBC) (television)
January 13, 1970: New York, NY

Special small-scale pressing for employees of the Mrs. Paul's Kitchens Company of a number of performances by different jazz artists on the Today Show: "Today Show - From Ragtime to Rock: A History of American Music."

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Dick Cavett Show (television)
January 13, 1970: New York, NY

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The Flip Wilson Show (episode #1.6) (television)
January 23, 1970: Unknown location

Appearance listed in IMDB but not in Willems discography.

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David Frost Show (television)
February 11, 1970: New York, NY

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The Tonight Show (television)
February 13, 1970: New York, NY

Joan Rivers guest hosts

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The Tonight Show (television)
April 3, 1970: Unknown location

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Mike Douglas Show (television)
May 25, 1970: Philadelphia, PA

First of a week of appearances on Douglas' popular talk show. Taped as a block on two days with additional airings in August.

Mike Douglas Show (television)
May 26, 1970: Philadelphia, PA

Armstrong is joined by his wife, Lucille, who demonstrates her red beans and rice recipe.

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Mike Douglas Show (television)
May 27, 1970: Philadelphia, PA

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Mike Douglas Show (television)
May 28, 1970: Philadelphia, PA

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Mike Douglas Show (television)
May 29, 1970: Philadelphia, PA

Bailey joins electronically from Atlanta on Hello, Dolly.

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Louis Armstrong And His Friends
May 26, 1970: New York, NY

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Louis Armstrong And His Friends
May 27, 1970: New York, NY

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Louis Armstrong And His Friends
May 27, 1970: New York, NY

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Louis Armstrong And His Friends
May 29, 1970, New York City

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Louis Armstrong And His Friends
May 29, 1970, New York City

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Louis Armstrong And His Friends
May 29, 1970, New York City

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The Tonight Show (television)
June 2, 1970: New York, NY

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Dial M for Music - Louis Armstrong (television)
June 7, 1970: New York, NY

TV film for CBS hosted by Father Norman O'Connor

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David Frost Show (television)
June 9, 1970: New York, NY

Orson Welles guest hosts for Frost.

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July 3, 1970: Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA

A celebration of Armstrong's 70th birthday entitled Hello, Louis. The evening included performances by a number of groups and was hosted by Hoagy Carmichael. The entire evening is available in a 3-CD box set.

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Anatomy of a Performance (film)
July 4 - 9, 1970: Newport, RI

Film of rehearsals prior to the opening of the Newport Jazz Festival. Film includes narration by Armstrong taped later at his home.

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Trumpet Player's Tribute (film)
July 10, 1970: Newport, RI

Soundtrack to a filmed performance of an all-star gathering of trumpet players at the 1970 Newport Jazz Festival. The set includes a number of other songs with features for the individual players. Armstrong appeared, unannounced, at the end of the set, under a single spotlight, to a thunderous ovation. Armstrong's cuts are accompanied by the Bobby Hackett Quintet except for the Sleepy Time Down South finale.

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Finale (film)
July 10, 1970: Newport, RI

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Dick Cavett Show (ABC) (television)
July 29, 1970: New York, NY

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Sun City Scandals (NBC) (television)
July, 1970: Hollywood, CA

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David Frost Show (television)
August 25, 1970: New York, NY

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Louis "Country Western" Armstrong
August 3, 1970: New York, NY

The first of four sessions for Armstrong's Country and Western album - an odd ending to Armstrong's pioneering studio career. Session dates from the Jack Bradley Collection at the Louis Armstrong House Museum, courtesy of Ricky Riccardi. More information and photos from the recording sessions HERE....

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Louis "Country Western" Armstrong
August 4, 1970: New York, NY

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Louis "Country Western" Armstrong
August 5, 1970: New York, NY

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Louis "Country Western" Armstrong
August 6, 1970: New York, NY

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The Mike Douglas Show (television)
September 7, 1970: Unknown location

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The Johnny Cash Show - History of Country Music: Part 2 (television)
October 10, 1970: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN

Armstrong resumes playing trumpet sporadically for the first time since his September 1968 hospitalization. Blue Yodel was a number Armstrong had recorded with the "father" of country music, Jimmy Rodgers, forty years before. Broadcast on October 28, 1970.

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The Flip Wilson Show (NBC) (television)
October 22, 1970: Hollywood, CA

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The Boy From New Orleans -- A Tribute to Louis Armstrong (film)
October 29, 1970: London, England

Soundtrack recorded while Armstrong was in London for a benefit. Not a concert film.

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The Pearl Bailey Show (ABC) (television)
January 23, 1971

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January 29, 1971: National Press Club, Washington, DC

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Dick Cavett Show (ABC) (television)
February 22, 1971: New York, NY

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Louis Armstrong
February 26, 1971: Louis' home, Corona, Queens, New York, NY

A simple reading of the famed children's Christmas story recorded at his home four months before his passing. For those with racial hangups, it's an embarrassing anachronism from a painful era in American history. For those that love Louis and are willing to accept the the world he lived in for what it was, this is charming end to a remarkable life.

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The Tonight Show (NBC) (television)
March 1, 1971: New York, NY

Armstrong's final television appearance before his passing on July 6, 1971.

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