[Dixielandjazz] Ben Pollack

[fred spencer]

Dear Rebecca,
"Beset by heart trouble and financial worries...Ben Pollack killed himself on
June 7, 1971", as quoted in my book "Jazz and Death, Medical Profiles of Jazz
Greats". His death certificate shows that he died of "Asphyxia due to
hanging", when he "Hanged Self From Shower Curtain Rod With Belt". I suggested
that "This seems an unusual method of suicidal hanging, as a shower curtain is
not intended to bear much weight. It could be interpreted as a cry for
help...". Also, it seems that few of the sidemen who deserted Pollack to form
the Bob Crosby orchestra visited him in later years. He "may have felt
abandoned by the many musicians who first tasted success with his band, and it
may have added to his other worries and destroyed his will to live". You may
recall it was his attachment to his singer, Doris Robbins, instead of his
band, that was partly responsible for his band members forming  their own
group. Robbins, sporting a black eye, later divorced Pollack, which may have
been another factor in his suicide. Ben Pollack's last occupation on his death
certificate is listed as  the "Owner " of  " Easy North Street", a "Beer Bar"
- an indication of the depths to which one of the pioneer drummers and big
band leaders had descended. After saying all that, though, who knows the real
reason behind any suicide, except for those in which Dr. Jack Kevorkisn
assisted? Part of New York's "Park Central Hotel", where Pollack played, is
now the time share "Manhattan Club", and the hotel itself has been
refurbished. All the best for the holidays.
Fred


Rebecca Thompson wrote:

> I have heard the name Ben Pollack a lot but never knew anything about him.
> I read just now on the redhotjazz site that he committed suicide at 68.
> Anyone know the reason?
>
> Rebecca
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Jrtnft@aol.com>
> To: <dixielandjazz@ml.islandnet.com>
> Sent: Monday, December 23, 2002 7:45 AM
> Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Shirt Tail Stomp-Finally!!
>
> >
> > Anyone that wants to listen can find it at:
> >        http://www.redhotjazz.com/bensbadboys.html
> >
> > Not a bad bunch; includes Ray Bauduc, Vic Briedis, Benny Goodman, Jimmy
> > McPartland, Glen Miller, Ben Pollack
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Dixielandjazz mailing list
> Dixielandjazz@ml.islandnet.com
> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz