Little Caesar (singer)

Little Caesar was born Harry Caesar to Alex Caesar and Hattie Chambers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on February 18, 1928.{{Cite book|last=Komara|first=Edward M.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bwNuwwSk9R4C&dq=Little+Caesar&pg=PA175|title=Encyclopedia of the Blues: A-J, index|date=2006|publisher=Taylor & Francis US|isbn=978-0-415-92700-0|pages=175–176|language=en}}{{Cite book|last1=Eagle|first1=Bob L.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6ZNfAQAAQBAJ&dq=Harry+Caesar+&pg=PA56|title=Blues: A Regional Experience|last2=LeBlanc|first2=Eric S.|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2013|isbn=978-0-313-34424-4|pages=57|language=en}} He had several older siblings. When Caesar was one, his mother died from meningitis. In 1930, his father moved to Youngstown, Ohio, looking for work and left Caesar and his siblings with relatives. By 1940, Caesar and his brother Richard had joined their father in Youngstown. Caesar attended Rayen High School in Youngstown. During his teenage years he was rebellious and joined the Wolf Gang, going by the nickname "Kid Wolf". He ended up in jail and was drafted into the army in 1948. In the Army, he represented Fort Ord as a heavyweight boxer.

When Caesar was discharged in 1950, he intended to pursue a boxing career, but after a disappointing match which ended in a draw, he switched careers to R&B music. Caesar moved to the San Francisco area and worked with The Peter Rabbit Trio. He later relocated to Oakland, California and recorded for the Bihari Brothers at Modern Records and John Dolphin's Recorded In Hollywood. In July 1952, Caesar performed at the 3rd Annual Blues Jubilee held at the Shrine Auditorium and presented by KLAC DJ Gene Norman.{{Cite magazine|date=August 9, 1952|title=Round The Wax Circle: Los Angeles|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/50s/1952/CB-1952-08-09.pdf|magazine=Cash Box|pages=7}} His single, "Goodbye Baby", released on Recorded In Hollywood was very successful, reaching No. 5 on Billboard's Best Selling R&B chart in November 1952.{{Cite magazine|date=November 8, 1952|title=Best Selling Retail Rhythm & Blues Records|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1952/Billboard%201952-11-08.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=48}} In 1953, he released singles on Big Town Records and Modern's subsidiary RPM.{{Cite magazine|date=June 13, 1953|title=Big town Diskery Signs Little Caesar|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/50s/1953/CB-1953-06-13.pdf|magazine=Cash Box}} In 1960, Caesar and his band the Ark Angels recorded for Jack Bee Records which soon became Downey Records.

Caesar turned to acting in 1960, and until 1993, he appeared in numerous films and television shows. He appeared on the shows Julia, Sanford and Son, Good Times, The Dukes of Hazzard, and L.A. Law. Caesar appeared in films such as The Longest Yard (1974), Murder in Mississippi (1990), and A Few Good Men (1992). In between acting jobs, Caesar continued to perform. He appeared with Joe Liggins in the 1980s. In 1992, Casesar performed at the Desert Dixieland Jazz 7 at the Riviera Resort Hotel in Palm Springs, California.

Caesar was married to Marion Kane Bernot, they had three daughters: Jacqueline, Valerie, and Kimberly. He died on June 12, 1994, in Los Angeles. He is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery.

• 1983: Lying Woman... Goodbye Baby (Route 66)
• 2008: Your On The Hour Man: The Complete Modern, Dolphin And Downey Recordings 1952-1960 (Ace Records)

• 1952: "Don't Mention The Blues" / "Talkin' To Myself" (Recorded In Hollywood 233)
• 1952: "(Going Down To) The River" / "Long Time Baby" (Recorded In Hollywood 234){{Cite magazine|date=August 30, 1952|title=Rhythm & Blues record Reviews|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1952/Billboard%201952-08-30.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=35}}
• 1952: "Goodbye Baby" / "If I Could See My Baby" (Recorded In Hollywood 235) – peaked at No. 5 on R&B chart
• 1952: "Lying Woman" / "Move Me" (Recorded In Hollywood 236)
• 1953: "Here Is A Letter" / "You're Part of Me" [B-side by Red Callender Sextette] (Recorded In Hollywood 237)
• 1953: "Your Money Ain't Long Enough" / "Do Right Blues" (Recorded In Hollywood 238){{Cite magazine|date=March 7, 1953|title=The Cash Box Rhythm 'N Blues Reviews|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/50s/1953/CB-1953-03-07.pdf|magazine=Cash Box|pages=20}}
• 1953: "You Can't Bring Me Down" / "Atomic Love" (Recorded In Hollywood 239)
• 1953: "Big Eyes" / "Can't Stand It All Alone" (Big Town 106)
• 1953: "Chains of Love Have Disappeared" / "Tried To Reason With You Baby" (RPM 393){{Cite magazine|date=October 31, 1953|title=Reviews of This Week's New Records: Rhythm & Blues|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1953/Billboard%201953-10-31.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=30}}
• 1960: "I Hope That It's Me" / "What Are They Laughing About" (Jack Bee 1005){{Cite magazine|date=March 21, 1960|title=Reviews of New Pop Records|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1960/Billboard%201960-03-21.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=40–41}}
• 1960: "The Ghost of Mary Meade" / "The Ghost of Mary Meade (Instrumental)" (Jack Bee 1008)
• 1964: "Show Me The Time" / "What Are They Laughing About" (Ride M-140)

• {{IMDb name|0128370|Harry Caesar}}
• [http://www.uncamarvy.com/LittleCaesar/littlecaesar.html Little Caesar] on Unca Marvy

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Category:1928 births

Category:1994 deaths

Category:United States Army soldiers

Category:Male actors from Pittsburgh

Category:Singers from Pittsburgh

Category:Male actors from Youngstown, Ohio

Category:Musicians from Youngstown, Ohio

Category:African-American male actors

Category:Recorded In Hollywood artists

Category:Modern Records artists

Category:RPM Records (United States) artists

Category:Downey Records artists

Category:20th-century African-American male singers

Category:20th-century American male singers

Category:20th-century American singers

Category:Burials at Inglewood Park Cemetery