Explore Black History

ca. 1952

A black-and-white photograph of Disc Jockey Bill “Hawk” Hawkins with Earl Bostic and Clyde Roberts inside the DJ booth in Bill Hawkins’ Record Studio. Bostic is depicted on the left, Hawkins center, and Roberts on the far right. The three men are standing behind the DJ console. Bostic is wearing a button-down shirt with a pineapple pattern and suspenders. He is smiling, facing the viewer, and looking towards Hawkins. Hawkins is wearing a white collared shirt, a polka dot tie, and medium-toned trousers. He is facing the viewer but his eyes are closed and his chin is pointing slightly downwards. There is a silver tone microphone directly in front of him. Roberts is depicted facing the viewer with his proper left hand resting on the side of a turntable on the DJ console. He is wearing a white, short sleeve shirt with a plaid collar and dark trousers. His name, [Clyde], is stitched over his proper left breast pocket. In front of the console is a black sign with white text in varying fonts that reads, [See and Hear / Bill HawKins' / Show / 5:45 - 6:45 / Radio Station / WDOK[?] 1260[?]]. The sign partially blocks both Hawkins and Bostic. Also leaning on the console, is an open display box with compartment dividers filled with a plate, utensils, and small bowls and dishes. In the background is the corner between two wood paneled walls with two large windows. Onlookers are peering through the windows. The photograph has a white border and a landscape orientation. The back of the photograph is white and playing with a black ink stamp at the center and several ink and pencil inscriptions. The back of the photograph is white with a stamp at the center and handwritten green and black ink and inscriptions in different handwriting. The black ink stamp at the center reads [PHOTO BY / JIMMY JOYCE / 2222 EAST 29TH ST. / CLEVELAND 6, OHIO]. The green ink inscriptions in the top left corner reads [Earl Bostic / Hawk / Clyde Roberts]. In the tope right quadrant is a black ink inscription that reads [EARLY TO MID 50’s].

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Photographs and Still Images

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of W. Allen Taylor, son of "Walkin' Talkin' Bill Hawkins," The First Black Disc Jockey of Cleveland, Ohio

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2018.91.2.34

gelatin silver prints
portraits

Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

H x W (Sheet): 5 1/16 × 7 in. (12.9 × 17.8 cm)

Object Name • Photograph of Disc Jockey Bill “Hawk” Hawkins, Earl Bostic, and Clyde Roberts

nmaahc_2018.91.2.34

NMAAHC

PHOTOGRAPH OF DISC JOCKEY BILL “HAWK” HAWKINS, EARL BOSTIC, AND CLYDE ROBERTS

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1950s

Bostic, Earl • WDOK 1260 • Joyce, James A. • Roberts, Clyde • Hawkins, Bill

United States • North and Central America • Ohio • Cleveland • Cuyahoga County

Photography • Radio • Instrumentalists (Musicians) • Jazz (Music) • Rhythm and blues (Music)

City • Cleveland • County • Cuyahoga County • State • Ohio • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

Portraits • Photographs

Images

Unknown - Restrictions Possible