- Sugar Chile is a talented African American self-taught jazz musician who began playing the piano at the age of 2
- His mother named him ‘Chile Sugar’ but he was actually born on the 28 of December 1938 as Frank Isaac Robbinson
- In 2013, the music legend lost his house in an unfortunate fire incident and had to depend on financial and material assistance from individuals and groups before he could have a roof over his head
Sugar Chile Robinson would probably not be known today if not for his incredible and exceptional musical gifts. Born on the 28th of December 1938 as Frank Isaac Robinson, the star made history as a black child prodigy who taught himself how to sing and play the piano.
His skills and diligence enabled him to be hosted in the white house by 2 different American presidents within a span of 70 years.
Despite gaining so much fame and acclamation by lovers of jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie music, Robinson’s lifetime has been characterized by many struggles that almost plunged him into destitution if not for the timely intervention of his teeming fans and friends.
Life Background of Sugar Chile Robinson
87 years old Robinson was born in Detroit, Michigan, U.S and he is the youngest of seven children born to Clearance and Elizabeth Robinson.From a very tender age, Sugar started displaying an unusual musical gift as a singer and instrumentalist who was not only singing but also accompanying himself at the same time on the piano.
In his early years, Sugar Chile went to Northern High school and graduated at age 15 and despite the promising future that Robinson had in music, he decided to stop recording in 1952 because he wanted to go to school. One of his famous quotes about education is ‘I had to make a decision about whether to keep entertaining or to get an education. And that’s what I did.’
Despite being in school between 1952-1956, Robbinson continued to make occasional appearances as a jazz musician. In the early 1960s, was able to earn a degree in history from Olivet College and another degree in psychology from the Detroit Institute of Technology.
Outside music, the star has also made significant appearances on the screens either as an actor or a guest performer. He notably worked with the first African-American fully owned and operated television station in the U.S (WGPR-TV). WGPR-TV was later translated to mean ‘Where God’s Presence Radiates.” Founded by William Banks Venoid, the station was situated in Detroit Michigan and it was active between 1975 to 1995.
The Pianist Lost His Home in a Fire Incident in 2013
The exceptionally talented entertainer was hit hard by the other side of life when he, unfortunately, lost his home in a fire accident which also destroyed all his properties and led him to a serious financial crisis.
Apart from the trauma of losing his house, Sugar is also reported to be suffering from some medical issues which include seizures, minor dementia, and stroke.
Robbinson’s issue was further worsened because he did not have much family left except for his niece Victoria who lives with him in Detroit. It is still not known whether Sugar ever got married or had any child however one of his fans by name Adam G. Swanson disclosed the situation of the jazz singer and called on good-spirited individuals to assist the musician in any possible way.
Thankfully, the Music Maker Relief Foundation was on hand to assist the all-time jazz star. They sent him a bed and also put him on a monthly sustenance program. Robinson further received a piano from Buddy Smith who was said to be inspired by Robinson in the 1940s. He also was said to have received cash donations from friends and fans.
7 Interesting Facts About Robinson
1. He Started Playing Piano at Age 2 and Won a Talent Show at The Age of 3
At the tender age of 2, sugar was already playing the piano well and by the time he clocked 3, he trailed the path to stardom by winning a talent show at the Paradise Theatre in Detroit.
At 7, Sugar was already playing guest at the theatre. In 1945, he played alongside Lionel Hampton. Lionel who saw how talented the boy was wanted to begin taking him on tours but was prevented by child protection legislation.
Even though Sugar could not make it on tours with Hampton because of his age, he joined Hampton to perform on radio alongside Harry The Hipster Gibson, an American jazz pianist, singer, and songwriter.
2. Nobody Taught Him How to Play the Piano
Chile Robinson was said to be self-taught in singing and instrumentation. He also managed how to use different playing techniques including slapping the piano keys with his elbows and his fists. He became a star even though he never had music lessons in his life.
3. Robbinson Started Recording His Songs in 1949
Sugar’s first song was titled Numbers Boogie and it was released by Capitol Records in 1949 after being given special permission to join the American Federation of Musicians. Later that same year, he released Caldonia and the songs were able to reach the Billboard R&B chart in 1950.
Chile Sugar was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2016. Here is a tracklisting of some of his songs released back in the 80s.
- Go Boy Go
- Say Little Girl
- Bases Were Loaded
- Sticks And Stones
- Whop Whop
- Yancey Special
- I’ll Eat My Spinach
- Caldonia
- Numbers Boogie
- Frustration Boogie
- Lazy Boy’s Boogie
- Bounding Ball Boogie
- After School Blues
- Christmas Boogie
4. Shugar Chile Has Starred in Some Movies
Sugar Chile Robinson did not only enjoy success as a singer but also as an actor. Robing has notably appeared in movies like No Leave (1946) and No Love (1946). The singer has also appeared in a number of short films and T.v series like Sugar Chile Robinson, Bille Holiday, Count Basie And His Sextet (1950).
SEE ALSO: Tico Wells – 10 Facts You Didn’t Know About The Actor
5. His Mother Nicknamed Him ‘Sugar Chile’
Elizabeth Robinson, mother to the music star was the inspiration behind the name ‘Sugar Chile.’ She may have added sugar to her son’s name because of his incredible musical talents.
Although none of Robbinson’s parents or relatives were ever identified to be musicians, Sugar was described as a child prodigy because of his exceptional and incredible gifts when he was young.
To be called a child prodigy means that a person should be under the age of 10 who produces meaningful output in some domain to the level of an adult expert. The term is also applied more broadly to young persons who are extraordinarily talented in some fields just like in the case of Robinson.
6. Sugar Chile Robinson Has Been Hosted at the White House Twice
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Not many people with exceptional gifts and talents have gotten the opportunity to perform in the white. However, in 1946, Robinson played for President Harry S. Truman at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, becoming the first African American performer to make an appearance at the annual WHCA dinner. During his four-song act, Sugar looked up to Mr president and asked “How’m I doing Mr. President?’ This became the little boy’s signature for a long time.
Similarly, when Robbinson turned 77, he was again invited to the white house by the first African American president Barrack Obama. The singer was honored as the first African-American musician to play at the annual White House Correspondents’ dinner. Though he was well-received at the white house, sources reveal that the visit did not pay him so well.
7. The Pianist Was Once Swindled of His Fortune
According to available information, one of the things that affected Sugar’s finance negatively was that he was swindled out of the money he made on films, radio shows, T.V, and music. This criminal act is alleged to have been carried out by his lawyer who stole his money and vanished into thin air.
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