After a career that spanned more than 90 years, ukulele star Bill ‘Tappy’ Tapia has died at the age of 103.
Bill Tapia
Tapia performed with Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and Elvis Presley. He was said to be the last link with the past.
Bill was born on January 1, 1908 in Honolulu. At age 7 he was given a ukulele from Hawaii’s great musician Manuel Nunes. By 10, he was performing professionally.
Bill went on to entertain the troops during World War I in 1918. He also played at the opening of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in 1927 and at the hotel’s reopening in 2009.
He went to Hollywood and taught ukulele to stars Clark Gable and Shirley Temple for their movies. After World War II, he settled in San Francisco. About 12 years ago, Bill lost his wife and moved to Orange County.
Tappy continued to world past his 100th birthday but stopped in late 2010 when he suffered a broken hip.
Tappy is the most revered figure in the ukulele world.
He died peacefully at his home in Westminster, California on December 2.
