Louis Armstrong was one of the most important figures in jazz, with his unique techniques, lively performances and unparalleled talent, allowing him to develop a wide followed. Louis Armstrong was born on August 14, 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Armstrong's family was very poor and "most days they didn't have enough food to eat." Armstrong worked odd jobs to make money and didn't really go to school. “He spent most of his time wandering the streets, singing for food and the few pennies people gave him” and “sometimes he sang together, sometimes with a group.” Armstrong's life changed dramatically when he was 13, on New Year's Eve, where he shot a gun. He was arrested and sent to the Colored Waif's Home for Boys, which ended up being a good thing for Armstrong as he "learned to play the cornet in the house band, and playing music quickly became a passion." He became quite good at playing, and when he left home he met Joe "King" Oliver, who helped Armstrong find gigs. Eventually, Armstrong became “skilled enough to replace Oliver in Kid Ory's important band around 1918” (Britannica). In 1922, Oliver invited Armstrong to Chicago to perform with his band, where he began making recordings and impressing other musicians. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Armstrong began to develop national popularity when he played on the "Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings of 1925-1928, on which he emerged as jazz's first great soloist." The records were extremely popular, first among African Americans and then among white Americans. One hit, “Heebie Jeebies,” sold forty thousand copies, “a high number for a race record by a little-known artist.” Later, in his hit song “Ain't Misbehavin'” from musical Hot Chocolates, Armstrong was able to showcase his incredible singing skills. The musical “helped spread his fame.” After working on the show, Armstrong had become a “national star.” even in Europe, where he ended up doing numerous performances. In the 1940s Armstrong was well known and loved. He continually performed in large venues for large crowds. In 1947, he formed "Louis Armstrong's All-Stars, a Dixieland band that... included... other greats of the jazz" and toured with them "continuously" for most of the rest of his life. In 1964, he recorded "Hello, Dolly!", which "became the hottest ticket on Broadway", and Armstrong's recording gained enormous popularity, becoming "the most popular song in America", surpassing the Beatles. Armstrong made many appearances on TV, radio and magazines, such as The Ed Sullivan Show, Time and Philco Radio Time, due to his talent and popularity, making him a recognizable figure in almost every American home. As numerous Louis Armstrong songs were major hits and his talent was witnessed by much of the world, whether in films, television shows, during radio appearances or during his live performances, he became one of the greatest jazz figures in existence and helped push the popularity of jazz. Armstrong inspired many through his stage presence and humor, two of the reasons he was so beloved. He refused to “distinguish between making art and making fun.” Armstrong had his signature "wall-to-wall eye-popping smile" and was known for his "irrepressible vitality" on stage and his humor. His performances were exciting and lively, one of the reasons why huge crowds flocked to see him play. Through his performances and skills, Armstrong had come into his own.