Spade Cooley was a multifaceted artist, skilled in various instruments, including the violin and cello, as well as singing, acting, composing, and songwriting. He was a conductor, arranger, and inventor who played a significant role in popularizing Western swing music through his work in film, recordings, radio, and television.
At the age of four, Cooley and his parents moved to Oregon, where he began studying classical violin and cello. By the time he was eight, he was performing at community dances and hoedowns with his father. As he grew older, Cooley's musical talents took him to various locations, including Modesto, California, where he earned a living playing in bars and outdoor events.
Cooley's search for film work led him to Republic Pictures, where he worked as a stand-in for Roy Rogers. He soon began singing with the Riders of the Purple Sage and made his first recording in 1941 with the Cal Shrum. The Spade Cooley Orchestra was formed, and he became a headline attraction at various venues, including the Venice Pier Ballroom and the Riverside Rancho in Los Angeles.
Cooley's television career spanned eleven years, starting on August 5, 1948, when he broadcast live from the Santa Monica Ballroom. His orchestra dissolved in 1959, and he began planning a never-built amusement park called Water Wonderland, which would have featured a broadcast studio for a new television series.
Despite his success, Cooley struggled with personal issues, including health problems, financial struggles, and marital discord. He was known for his driven personality, but his increasing frustration with his marriage and his own personal demons eventually led to a violent outburst that resulted in the death of his wife.
Cooley was sentenced to life in prison, where he founded a music program and learned to play guitar and develop an electric violin. He was granted parole in 1969 and was released on a three-day work furlough to perform with his orchestra at an Alameda County Deputy Sheriff's Association concert. Tragically, Cooley died on stage, surrounded by thunderous applause, after taking his final bow.
