In the 19th century, novelties and curiosities were all the rage. We have all heard of the circus performers, snake oil salesmen, sideshow freaks—but there were always the more unusual acts that also captivated audiences. In 1890s Chicago, there was an English singer named Bert Morphy making his way around the circuit. His talent was singing, but it was more than that. He was renowned for being one of the only good singers who could blare his voice over an entire military band. The attractiveness of his talents rendered him tours all around the United States, Europe, and Australia. Period articles stated even that Morphy had “insured his vocal chords for $10,000.”
Countless loaded statements were attached to his name as he traveled from town to town in the US, and this earned him the yearning of nearly every military band to utilize his talents. On many sheet music covers and in most United States newspapers he was dubbed “the man who sings to beat the band.”
He is an elusive character to some early record collectors. Considering his special talent, his voice became a popular one to record. He started making records around 1895 in Chicago and likely for local compa
