Frank Says Hello to Louis

Ol’ Blue Eyes Celebrates Satchmo

The song “Hello,Dolly!,” from the musical of the same name, is a pop standard, having been recorded by dozens of artists since its release in 1964.

While the song was first sung by Carol Channing, who starred as Dolly Levi in the musical’s original cast, it was popularized by Louis Armstrong, who recorded it in December of 1963.

Satchmo begrudgingly recorded the song as a favor to his manager, whose associates were involved with the musical, and wanted to use Armstrong’s recording as promotion for the show.

The musical opened in January of 1964, later that month Armstrong’s recording was released, and the rest was history. It quickly became a major hit, and began climbing the Billboard 100. In May, it became number one, knocking The Beatles off the top spot and ending their 14 week streak.

At 63, he became the oldest artist to ever reach number one, and released the biggest hit of his career. He was back on top.

Later that year, Frank Sinatra and Count Basie & His Orchestra took a crack at the hit on their album It Might As Well Be Swing. (The album was also the first of Sinatra’s studio recordings arranged by Quincy Jones.)

In the recording, Frank pays tribute to his old collaborator and friend, with an improvised version of the song’s second verse:

Hello Satch, this is Francis, Louis
 It’s so nice to see you back where you belong
 You’re back on top, Louis, never stop, Louis
 You’re still singing, you’re still swinging, you’re still going strong
 You get the room swaying when you start in playing
 One of your great songs, or songs from way back when
 Blow your horn, Louis, sing up a great big song, Louis
 Promise you wont go away, promise you won’t go away
 Promise you won’t go away again, ooh yeah

It’s classic Sinatra: