THE LEGENDARY 1920'S, 1930'S SINGER/GUITARIST 1898/1941. Born in Mozambique in the1898 .Al started work in his uncles barber shop where he learn't the guitar and banjo finding work playing the later, in a jazz band around Johanisburg.Al then joins 'Edgear Aderler' and 'The Sycopaters' and tours the far east, eventually getting the sac in India over a fallout with Edgar.He manages to find a gig with 'Jimmy Lequimes' trio in Calcuttar's Grand hotel.Al then leaves the band and travels to Germany where he rejoins Aderler. after a while he secures a place with 'Fred Elizalde's' band and travels to England in 1926 where's he debut's as a vocalist at the Savoy.The band loses the gig and Al busks around London in 1930 living hand to mouth.Times are hard untill Al gets his first break with American band leader 'Roy Foxe' as lead vocalist. The band's first show is at the Monseuir resturant. Al's big break comes when he meets Ray Noble the band leader and songwriter who will write the songs that will structure Al's success.Al marrys a nightclub hostess in 1931 but the marriage is doomed.In 1934 Al records with Ray Noble and they travels to America.In 1935 they win both a gig at the Rainbow room plus a slot on the 'Burns and Allen' radio show to great success.Although very successful with Ray Noble Al decides to go it alone in 1937 and returns to England with his new wife Marjie' whom he,d married in 1936. However things didn't go so well in England where new faces had taken over the limelight.Things went from bad to worse as his second marriage broke up and his popularity declined.When war broke out in 1940 Al was still gigging around England. He met his death in the blitz when a bomb hit his home in 1941 courtessy of the Luftwaffe.Back in the day the singer was just another instrument in the band. Hence the long instrumental sections in each songs.This only adds though to the magic.Although Al never found the superstardom he deserved his music and style went on to influence Sinatra and his contemperaries. Al never drank or smoked or did any drugs.Though he did have a reputation for a fiery temper and attitude that would put most punk rockers to shame.Often ending up in several well ..ed brawling incidents.One of which live on national radio. Al was always coy about his real age , being several years older than he profest to be at the time. He is known as the swoon of the 30's.Ladies and Gentlemen! This is 'AL BOWLLY'!! He's Good!!!
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