Albert Allick Al Bowlly was born on January 7th, 1899 in Portuguese, East Africa (now known as Mozambique). His father was a Greek Orthodox and his Mother was a Lebanese Catholic.
During the 1930s, he was the most popular Jazz singer and crooner in Britain, and the second biggest singer in America while he was in the US. His ranking was right behind the vocalist Kenny Sargent, and right above the other vocalist, Bing Crosby. He was also known for playing the Guitar, Banjo, and Ukulele in several bands during his earlier career, including playing some of them on his first few solo records in Germany.
He made more than 1,000 recordings in the short duration of 15 years, spanning between 1926 and 1941. On April 17th, 1941, he was tragically killed by the explosion of a parachute mine right outside his flat on Jermyn Street, in London during the Blitz. He was 42 years old.