“Marriage is Really a Business”: 70th Anniversary of Louis Armstrong’s “Why I Like Dark Women”

As we have stated numerous times on this website, there would not be a Louis Armstrong House Museum without the efforts of Louis’s longtime wife, Lucille Wilson. We have profiled Lucille’s life in this post and shared some rare interviews with her on the occasion of her 100th birthday celebration earlier this year.

It should not come as a surprise to those reading this post that Lucille was the fourth Mrs. Armstrong. Though there wouldn’t be a Louis Armstrong House Museum without Lucille, there might not have been a Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, Ambassador of Goodwill, pop star, and jazz innovator without the efforts of Louis’s second wife, Lillian Hardin (for those in the New York area on October, 10, I’ll be hosting a special “Archival Tour” on Lil at the Louis Armstrong Center–tickets are available here).

And what of wives one and three? Daisy Parker was Louis’s first wife, a relationship that was equal parts turmoil and passion. Then there was Alpha Smith, who was by Louis’s side during some of his greatest triumphs in the 1930s.

Louis liked to claim that his life was an open book and he had nothing to hide. This definitely applied to how he discussed his marriages; at a time when divorce was frowned upon in much of the nation, Armstrong regularly went on television talk shows and bragged about being married four times–and praising each one of his wives for what they taught him and what they did to support him.

In August 1954, Armstrong even wrote about the subject in a cover story for Ebony magazine titled “Why I Like Dark Women.” It’s not known if Armstrong submitted a manuscript or if it was done in an “as told to” style. My instinct is Armstrong wrote it and Ebony cleaned up his idiosyncratic typing style, though there are places were it feels more like an interview. It’s worth noting that Armstrong was the subject of two more major Ebony profiles, one with an “as told to” credit and another with another author listed, making “Why I Like Dark Women” the only one with a pure “By Louis Armstrong” byline, lending further credence that Armstrong most likely submitted something to the popular magazine.

Since this is the 70th anniversary of the publication of the article–and since there seems to be a resurgence of interest in the lives of Armstrong’s wives–we thought it would be appropriate to share the article in full.

First, we’ll share the original scans, which include some rare photos. Check out the ads for such products as “bleaching cream,” which really stand out next to an article where Armstrong proudly boasts of loving “dark women.” We’ll share the scans first and then the text below:

The rest of this piece will be devoted to Armstrong’s words (with one author’s note by me related to Alpha Smith). Because we don’t have the photos Ebony had access to, we’ll intersperse it with various photos from our Archives (though sadly, Daisy Parker Armstrong has never been identified in a photograph).

WHY I LIKE DARK WOMEN 
Famous trumpet player says, ‘Blacker the berry the sweeter the juice’
BY LOUIS ARMSTRONG  

Life can be so sweet if you’ve got the right woman to help you fight the battles, share the pleasures and understand what it’s all about. Men without women are strange creatures. They are unhappy men because they lack the warmth that only a woman can give—the right woman, I mean. Men and women have been mating, with both good and bad results, ever since Adam plucked the apple off that tree in the Garden of Eden and put it to his chops. As long as the human race exists men will need women—I hope so, anyway.     

Women have been important to my life. I have known a good many women in my time and have had good deep friendships with dozens of them in many countries. That doesn’t make me an expert on them. No man ever becomes one, I always say. It’s just a matter of experience. Some men have more experience with women than others and get to know them better, to understand their ways and sometimes to predict their behavior.     

Four of the women in my life were more important than the others because I married them. These four women were widely different in their personalities and tastes. Three of them I divorced because we just couldn’t make it together. The fourth, Lucille, is my present wife and the only one who ever understood me completely and gave me real happiness. But I learned something from each of the others though. Those marriages weren’t total losses as far as I’m concerned even though they didn’t last.     

I guess I could be called a three-time loser though. The first three marriages started out fine but look how they ended! But I never gave up the search for the kind of mate who could bring me the happiness I needed and the relaxation I craved. When Lucille came along I knew she was it, the right one. I think a man instinctively knows when he’s got the right woman.     

Lucille, like the others, was an entertainer, but she was a different kind. She is a woman of poise and patience, good sense and understanding. None of my other wives had these qualities. Because they didn’t, we busted up. Because Lucille has them is the main reason why we stay together and our marriage today is stronger than ever.    
 
I love so much about Lucille but it’s hard to know where to start listing the good points. Of course we had our fights and difficulties, but none of them was ever too serious. There is no marriage in history, however successful, that wasn’t marred by a squabble or two. Ours is no exception.     

The beauty of Lucille still excites me—after 11 years and a whole lot of loving and close contact. When I first saw her the glow of her deep brown skin got me deep down. When we first met, she was dancing in the line at the old Cotton Club and was the darkest girl in the line. Dark, that is, by prevailing standards of Negro beauty. Lucille was the first girl to crack the high yellow color standard used to pick girls for the famous Cotton Club chorus line. I think she was a distinguished pioneer.    

I suppose I’m partial to brown and dark-skinned women, anyhow. None of my four wives was a light-colored woman.     

Maybe her color had something to do with my falling in love with Lucille in the first place. Ever since I was old enough to feel a desire for women I’ve been drawn to those of darker hue. Don’t ask me why. It’s just been like that for years, that’s all. I don’t draw any color lines or hold any prejudices. But a man does develop preferences as a result of the experiences he has in life.     

There have been some light women of whom I was awfully fond. I’ve also known dark women whom I’ve disliked a lot. I’ve never been married to a white woman, that’s for sure, but I’ve met a few in Europe and America who had all the qualities a man would need to make him happy.     

Mainly with me it’s a question of a woman’s mind, her feelings and the way her heart moves her. Above all she must move me, must make me know she believes in me and enjoys being with me, that counts. I’ve got to feel that I’m wanted and loved.     
Lucille has brought a lot of joy into my life. That old phrase about “the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice” holds true in her case. But she’s just a fine human being who knows what it takes to relax me and make me feel good.     

To get along with me a woman must adopt my plan of life. I don’t care if she’s a millionaire or a beggar; she’s got to go along with my program. Lucille does. Take the little matter of physics. I believe in physics, always have. The human stomach is just like an automobile: it needs constant care. I insist that the bowels have got to be kept in good working order. I’ve known people to die of blocked bowels. Any wife of mine must understand this and do something with me about it. She must take a good physic.      There’s got to be a certain amount of give-and-take in any marriage for it to work. But the women who marry me must respect my program and way of life. If they don’t understand it and go along with it, then we’re not in business. Marriage is really a business. My fourth has been profitable in more ways than one, I’ve found out over the years.     

Lucille has done such a swell job of being my wife that I doubt I’ll ever want to replace her with another. She’s almost an ideal type of woman to me. We get along real well and as I have said before, understand each other. We can stay at home for hours and days without any friction. She doesn’t bother me until I want to be bothered. She also senses the right moment. That kind of woman is rare today.      

Daisy Parker, my first wife, was rare too but in another way. When I met her in New Orleans in 1918, we were both young and giddy. Daisy was a pretty brown-skinned girl and I was in love with her. She was a little skinny but she was cute. She was older than me and more experienced in the rough ways of the New Orleans tenderloin district. But I was in love, and when you’re in love you can do the strangest things. Our marriage lasted four years and there wasn’t a dull moment the entire time.     

Carrying a razor, which she could really use, was one of Daisy’s less attractive habits. Once she chased me down the street hollering like mad. I knew she carried a razor and didn’t want her to catch me while she was in an evil mood. She didn’t—not that time. She was a violent girl, was Daisy, but she never hurt me seriously. None of my wives ever hurt me physically. I had a few close calls, though.     

One morning during the first year of my marriage, I woke up and saw Daisy leaning over me holding a bread knife close to my throat. She was angry, real angry, and was cursing softly. “I ought to kill you,” she whispered and called me a few choice names. “You ain’t got nerve enough,” I told her, and sure enough she hadn’t. She trembled and dropped the knife.     

Another time Daisy’s temper showed itself in a mean way. She saw me talking to another woman, who was just an old friend. Without waiting for an explanation she started after me with her razor in her hand. I ducked out of reach and ran. My hat fell off as I ducked and Daisy picked it up and cut it to ribbons with that razor. Daisy had a mean streak in her. I had some close shaves during that marriage. I’ll never go through anything like that again.     

Wives may come and wives may go but your life goes on. As the years passed, I realized how important it was for me to plan for my future. I learned to save, to take care of my business so that I didn’t have huge debts staring me in the face every day of the year. Joe Glaser, my manager, helped me a lot. I’ve put some money away, bought a home in Long Island and given myself security for the future. If I put my horn down and retire tomorrow, I’ll still be straight. I’m set to receive between $300 and $400 a week for life if I ever decide to quit show business. If a guy can’t make it off an income like that, he’s really in bad shape.     

But I’m not thinking of retiring soon. I’ve got a whole lot of music left in me. Trumpet playing is still my life and I love life. There are a lot of high notes in me that haven’t been blown yet. My health is okay, and Lucille’s care has helped no end. I’ll always be grateful to her for looking after me, for seeing that I eat right and don’t get upset emotionally. This last wife is the greatest, believe me.    

Some of those wives I’ve mentioned gave me a lot of trouble but in between the bad times I enjoyed myself too. I think I’ve lived a pretty good life. I’ve played my trumpet for royalty and for the common people alike and I’ve gotten grand kicks out of it all. I made my share of mistakes all right but I lived it up too, I’m still doing that in my own quiet way. Once when I was in New Zealand the prime minister’s wife sent my wife orchids every day we were there. I was wined and dined in Paris, London, Rome and all kinds of exotic places. The most famous people in all the world have told me that my music knocked them out. I’m happy about that. When we were in Honolulu last year, I was made to feel at home. Jazz fans knew I loved red beans and rice and gumbo, so they always had a spread for us every night. It was a great experience. The day I left Honolulu a group of newspaper men threw a cocktail party for me and only champagne was served. It was real crazy.      

I often think of my wives of the past and realize that even though we couldn’t get along for long they had some good qualities. I’ve spoken of Daisy’s mean disposition and violent ways. But she was loyal to old Satchmo. We were married in 1918 and split up in 1922. After we broke up, she was in a honky-tonk on 31st Street near Cottage Grove in Chicago and got into an argument with a man who had a bad reputation. He said some unkind things about me and Daisy resented it. So she slugged it out with this character toe-to-toe and, using a knife, almost cut him to death. That happened five years before she died. It shows the kind of love women have for Ol’ Satch.     

Lil Hardin, my second wife, was another type of woman altogether. She was a college-educated gal who knew a lot about history and philosophy. After Daisy she was a refreshing change, cultured and sharp. She went to Fisk University where she was valedictorian of her class. Many a time I told Lil, “You’re an educated fool.” With her my home life was different. She would invite her old professors and classmates to our home and they’d eat up all my food. But it was interesting while it lasted.

Lil and I were both strong-minded and hot-headed. We fought like cats and dogs but had a nice home. We used to break up so often it was a shame. Whenever we’d break up, we draw all our money out of the bank and split it up. I did take my share and put it in my watch pocket and go to work at the old Vendome Cafe in Chicago.     

It was at the Vendome that I first got to know Alpha Smith, my third wife, real well. She was about 19 then and used to hang around the club while I was playing there. It wasn’t long before we began talking trash and got real tight. Alpha was young and polished and her views were modern. Lil was better educated but less mature than Alpha.     
Alpha was all right but her mind was on furs, diamonds and other flashy luxuries and not enough on me and my happiness. I gave her all the diamonds she thought she wanted but still she wanted other things. She went through most of my money and then walked out. We had some real spats. She’d get to drinking and grab that big pocketbook of hers and hit me in my chops with it. Then I’d want to go after her and beat on her a while, but some of the cats would grab me and say, “Don’t hit her, Pops.”

After Alpha left, Lucille came into my life and it’s been lovely ever since. Lucille was present in court the day I received my divorce from Alpha. She came along to keep me company. I knew I had found a jewel in her. We got married in 1942 in St. Louis. Lucille had a big orchid and looked gorgeous. We had a real gay time at the reception later and filled up on champagne. We did it up right.     

Lucille and I have had our ups and downs. It wasn’t exactly easy at first for her. I had to fit her right into my house and my life. I had to let her know that she was Mrs. Armstrong and that she had certain responsibilities to me and to herself. I made her understand that our home had to be run the best possible way even if I only brought home $2 a week. Sometimes I have had to cuss her out. I think I’ve been generous to her. She’s got a $10,000 fur coat and last year I gave her a Cadillac.     

My wife is an independent person before I married her. She was accustomed to living her own life. When we got married, she found a little hard to get adjusted, but she did very well. She’s really the best of the lot. The other three put on a lot of airs because they were Mrs. Louis Armstrong. Lucille doesn’t.     

With Lucille life has been more comfortable and better organized. I ask her advice about a lot of things and it’s usually good. I don’t worry today about my income tax. Many of my friends in show business would like to be able to say that. A lot of them owe the government thousands of dollars. I don’t owe a dollar, either in taxes or to any other creditor. I pay my bills.      

I am grateful to my wife for helping me do all this, for giving me a hand in straightening out my life and making some plans for the future. But I must also credit my manager, Joe Glaser, with a big part in it. He’s my man. He stuck by me through all my troubles.
Looking back on those other three marriages, I can say it was all very useful experience to have. But there was so much missing that was needed. I think my life now is as complete as I’ll ever wanted to be. Lucille loves the home and knows how to make it comfortable and relaxing for me. When I’m on the road she stays home where she has the comforts and gadgets she wants. She has friends in to visit her, and enjoys TV and radio. Whenever she wants to see me she takes a plane and fly straight to her Ol’ Pops wherever he happens to be.     

We have a lot in common. That makes you live longer having a wife like that instead of one who’s always asking annoying questions. I can relax better with Lucille them with any of the others, and that’s what I need most of all—to relax. In my house on Long Island there’s a great big front room which I’ve furnished to suit me and where I can really relax. That living room is my private domain. In the kitchen there’s a Frigidaire always loaded with cold cuts and beer.     

Lucille buys things for me I like. That’s important. I never got that from the others. She buys all my clothes and buys the best. She’s a very liberal woman too. I like that. My rating for Lucille is four big stars. She doesn’t get jealous when she sees me talking to other women. She understands that is bound to happen in my profession.    
 
Lucille and Lil are good friends. When they are in the same room and somebody says “Mrs. Armstrong,” both of them will turn around. Lil and I still keep the warmest feelings for each other. We couldn’t stay married but we have remained good friends. I still own the house she lives in. Lil knows she can come to me for advice and help whenever she needs it. I’m proud of that. It’s good to know that you can be a fairy godfather to one of your ex-wives. So there’s no bitterness there at all. I want to see her happy and have the success she deserves. I know she feels that way about me.  

The divorces cost me plenty. After each one I had to start all over again. Right after Daisy—right after Alpha—right after Lil. Those marriages cost me a fortune not only to make and sustain but to break. I got some laughs though. When I divorced Alpha I had two witnesses who weren’t very bright. Those cats talked so slow they not only almost kept me from getting the divorce, they almost got me some time. The judge asked me a few questions and when he heard my voice, said, “Hey, boy, you got a cold.” I said, “No, sir, that’s just that saw-mill voice of mine.” We both laughed and the judge said, “Divorce granted.”      

My divorce from Alpha didn’t end my friendship with her family. After she died I took care of her mother for a number of years. It was a pleasure to help her because she was such a wonderful old lady. I did it too out of respect for Alpha’s memory and the years we were together.      

[NOTE: This is the only part of Louis’s story that is really worth commenting on. Louis makes it abundantly clear that Alpha was dead at the time of this 1954 story….but she was very much alive! Obituaries survive for Alpha Smith Armstrong, passing away in Beverly Hills in January 1960. Though he doesn’t mention it here, Alpha cheated on Louis with the white drummer Cliff Leeman and that was too much for him to get over. He recorded “I Used to Love You (But It’s All Over Now)” at the end of 1941, divorced Alpha in 1942, and then wrote “Someday You’ll Be Sorry” with Alpha in mind in the mid-1940s. He did keep true to his word and support Alpha’s mother, Florence Smith, as she was the caretaker for Louis’s adopted son Clarence Hatfield Armstrong until her passing in 1953. But there are no stories or mementos of any reunions with Alpha from the time they divorced in 1942 until her passing in 1960.]

After I divorced Lil we thought about remarrying but decided it wouldn’t work again. I thought about it seriously for a while but just couldn’t see it.     

Life with Lucille is ideal now. We have no troubles. A lot of people seem to want something to happen between us, but it hasn’t. And I don’t think anything will. Whatever happens we’ll go on loving and respecting each other. That’s the way it has always been with me in my wives. We all got along okay. There wasn’t a time I went back to New Orleans that Daisy wasn’t at the door when I got there. Every one of those wonderful brown-skinned women kept their love for Ol’ Satch. When we parted I did it nicely so that the love stayed right there.     

Sure I like my women, beautiful, dark and tender, but I love my trumpet too. I always made it plain to all my wives that the trumpet must come first before anybody or anything. That horn is my real boss because it’s my life.

[Photo caption] His mouth ajar, Louie waits as Lucille playfully feeds him in their hotel room. Louie said once, “Everything happens to me is good. I eat, and buy me a suit when I need one. I don’t wanna die rich. Man, I’m married to my fourth wife now.”