The Impact of Clara Bow, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald on Music

After World War I, America rebounded into a flourishing period of culture and opportunity. More celebrities and public figures rose from this decade than from any other because of the dramatic surge in entertainment. Shortening the workday and workweek allowed for Americans to increase their leisure time and enjoy themselves by going to clubs, theaters, and shows. The growth of American entertainment was arguably the most influential aspect of the 1920s. Because of this, Clara Bow, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald were among the most significant people of the decade.

The sheer fact that the slang term “It girl” was coined from the hit movie “It” that Clara Bow starred in is a testament to the scope of her influence. Bow was the biggest female movie star of the decade, starting in 1922 when she filmed her first movie. She was in more than 38 films and at one point received 45,000 fan letters a month. Her fame was a foundation for the idolization of celebrities and movie stars that is evident in today’s entertainment culture. Also, Bow was known for her carefree and nonconformist attitude: she flaunted her sexuality, which was then considered obscene behavior. Clara Bow’s sensational stardom and unique style built her to be the most influential movie star of the roaring twenties.

Though there were several excellent jazz musicians during the 1920s, Louis Armstrong, nicknamed “Satchmo”, stood out because of his innovative style that revolutionized jazz music. Armstrong played the cornet and sang, playing worldwide for all types of audiences. His charismatic personality and distinctive gravelly voice made him a crowd pleaser; his audiences always loved him. Even to this day, Armstrong is regarded as the “international ambassador of swing” according to PBS. Louis was one of the most notable jazz musicians of the 1920s because he redefined jazz and engaged his audiences, which is the essence of entertainment.

Another jazz musician, Ella Fitzgerald was “The First Lady of Song.” In her lifetime, she won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums. Fitzgerald mastered and trademarked the art of improvisation or “scat” singing. Even in her failing health, Ella continued to perform for her audiences. She performed even after she was diagnosed with diabetes and underwent heart surgery, showing her stalwart devotion to the stage. Like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald took risks that ultimately led to her booming success as an artist.

In conclusion, Clara Bow, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald were celebrities that the 1920s simply could not have done without. Their contributions to entertainment were invaluable to the growth of modern music and film. One similarity between all three figures is that they all started from humble beginnings and ended up achieving success by utilizing their discovered talents. Broken families and poverty marked the childhoods of Bow, Armstrong, and Fitzgerald, yet all three were able to overcome these obstacles. If not for their individual accomplishments, each of them should be remembered for the miles they travelled to achieve their goals.