DELTA RHYTHM BOYS - TAKE THE 'A' TRAIN

The Delta Rhythm Boys formed in 1934 at Langston University in Oklahoma. The group broke up in 1987 after founding member Lee Gaines died of a heart attack, at his funeral fellow bandmate Hugh Grant died of an apparent heart attack while performing. The quartet was very popular in the 1940's, often appearing on Broadway, on the Amos and Andy radio show and they appeared in numerous films. In 1941 The Delta Rhythm Boys appeared in a soundie - a predecessor to music videos - for Take The A Train. The song had been recorded for the first time earlier that year by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra. It was written by Billy Stayhorn for Ellington in 1939, establishing a career long relationship playing piano and writing arrangements for Ellington's band. Take The A Train became Ellington's signature song. The songs is about taking New York City's "A" Train to the wealthy Sugar Hill neighborhood in Harlem. The subway line was brand new at the time - opening in 1936 - running from Brooklyn through New York City to Harlem in northern Manhattan.