Jimmy Durante was a major American recording artist from his debut in the 1930s
to his death aged 86 in 1980. He started out playing piano in New York in the
Original New Orleans Jazz Band, which was later called Jimmy Durante's Jazz
Band. Known for his distinctive gravelly voice, he became a star in vaudeville,
on radio and in movies starting with 'Roadhouse Nights' in 1930. He had a hit
record in 1934 titled 'Inka Dinka Doo', which became his theme song throughout
his career.
He became a star on Broadway even as he made a name for himself in Hollywood. He
starred in the Br...