Gene Greene

Not to be confused with Gene Green or Eugene A. Greene.

Eugene Delbert Greene (June 9, 1877 – April 5, 1930) was an American vaudeville and ragtime singer.^[1] He was one of the first to use scat singing techniques.

Gene Greene
Background information
Birth name	Eugene Delbert Greene
Born	(1877-06-09)June 9, 1877
Died	April 5, 1930(1930-04-05) (aged 52) New York City
Genres	Ragtime
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1911–1930

Career

Greene was born in Indiana.^[1] He worked with his wife, Blanche Werner, as Greene & Werner.^[1]

Between 1911 and 1917, he made five recordings of "King of the Bungaloos", which was his most popular song.^[1] Nicknamed "The Ragtime King", he employed scat singing techniques on this song.^[1][2] His other songs included "The Chinese Blues" and "Alexander's Got a Jazz Band Now".^[1] While on a tour of Europe in 1912, Blanche Werner died.^[1] Greene continued to perform, making about 64 recordings during 1912–13 before returning to the U.S.^[1] He retired to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and ran a restaurant.^[1] He tried to sing again in New York City but died of a heart attack backstage.^[1]

"King of the Bungaloos" appeared on Pop Music: The Early Years 1890–1950 as part of Sony's Soundtrack for a Century box set.^[3]

See also

• List of ragtime composers