Livingston, Ted

Scope and Contents This collection consists of manuscripts and other items from the library of American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP) editor Ted Livingston relating to W.C. Handy (1873-1958). Handy had a major influence on 20th century American popular music by being the first to translate the blues into a compositional form. His “Memphis Blues” (1912) was the first blues to be published and printed. His “St. Louis Blues” achieved great success and is one of the most recorded songs ever written....