About Brother Bones
Lived 1902 – 1974 (aged 71). Brother Bones was an American percussionist, recording artist and shoeshiner.
Early life Freeman Davis was born in Montgomery, Alabama. The recording became nationally famous after its adoption as the theme song of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team in 1952. Notably, the bass line for this track uses the Novachord, a very early electronic synthesizer more prominently featured on the B side of the record. Despite the success of this record, Davis himself remained relatively unknown.
Death Davis died in June 1974, in Long Beach, California, at the age of 71.
Popular culture His song, "Black Eyed Susan Brown", was sampled in the De La Soul song, "Pease Porridge", on their 1991 album, De La Soul Is Dead.
"Sweet Georgia Brown" was used in the Vauxhall Meriva television advertisement in the UK.
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Important facts
People in Brother Bones's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Brother Bones's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Brother Bones?
American musician
When was Brother Bones born?
Brother Bones was born on 4 October 1902 in Montgomery.
When did Brother Bones die?
Brother Bones died on 14 June 1974 in Long Beach.
What was Brother Bones's occupation?
Brother Bones was a percussionist, recording artist and shoeshiner.
What nationality was Brother Bones?
Brother Bones was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Brother Bones. https://biography.guide/brother-bones/
MLA: "Brother Bones." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/brother-bones/.
Chicago: "Brother Bones." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/brother-bones/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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