Al Jolson, “The World’s Greatest Entertainer”, died of a heart attack while playing cards in a hotel in San Francisco on 23 October 1950 – he was 64.

Jolson had only recently returned from entertaining troops in Korea, and it was reported that he was exhausted – his last words are reputed to be “Boys, I’m going”.

Included below is a contemporary newspaper story that reports on the death of ‘the Jazz Singer’.

Derby Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 24 October 1950

Image © Local World Limited. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000521/19501024/013/0001