The bands Roy played with – first Gene Krupa’s, then Artie Shaw’s, then Krupa’s again – didn’t tour the South, but they did play California, and that was where the trouble usually was worst. He was getting featured billing, might even has his name outside in lights, and yet could not stay at the same hotels as his colleagues in the band. Even though his reservation had been confirmed, there would be "problems". And inside the club or ballroom, it would be all right to socialize with movie stars or other show-business folk, but not with ordinary costumers.
Once, he was refused admission to a place where the Shaw band was to play. "This is a white dance," he was told, though his name was outside, and he told the flunky at the door who he was.
"When I finally did get in, I played that first set, trying to keep from crying. By the time I got through the set, the tears were rolling down my cheeks. I don’t know how I made it. I went up to a dressing room and stood in a corner crying and saying to myself why the hell did I come out here again when I knew what would happen. Artie came in and he was real great. He made the guy apologize and got him fired… but it’s not worth the glory, not worth the money, not worth anything."
(in Morgenstern, Dan & Brask, Ole; Jazz People)
Once, he was refused admission to a place where the Shaw band was to play. "This is a white dance," he was told, though his name was outside, and he told the flunky at the door who he was.
"When I finally did get in, I played that first set, trying to keep from crying. By the time I got through the set, the tears were rolling down my cheeks. I don’t know how I made it. I went up to a dressing room and stood in a corner crying and saying to myself why the hell did I come out here again when I knew what would happen. Artie came in and he was real great. He made the guy apologize and got him fired… but it’s not worth the glory, not worth the money, not worth anything."
(in Morgenstern, Dan & Brask, Ole; Jazz People)
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