Explore Black History

1950-1958

A black-and-white photograph of the exterior of Bill Hawkins’ Record Studio. The photograph, taken at night, depicts a crowd of mostly children watching Disc Jockey Bill “Hawk” Hawkins and Bill Bailey inside his record studio. The crowd of mostly children is standing on the sidewalk looking into DJ booth, located inside the store’s front window. Inside the DJ booth, Bailey and Hawkins are standing behind a microphone and a turntable. Bailey is depicted in profile, facing Hawkins, and smiling. He is wearing a dark suit, dark tie, and a white collared shirt. Hawkins is wearing a dark collared shirt with white, wavy vertical stripes and dark trousers. Over his ears are a pair of headphones with black wires draped down the front of his shirt. He is leaning slightly towards the microphone in front of him and is resting his hands on either the side of the turntable. Behind the Hawkins and Bailey are two windows and a door, framed in wood paneling, with a fabric ruffle across the top. Displayed just inside the window is a stack of white metal cans with a fruit and leaf design, a promotional cut out for Burkhardt’s mug ale sitting on glass containers, stacks of plates and bowls, and a white sign in front of the display with text that reads [Inquire Inside About / These FREE GIFTS]. Inside the booth, behind Hawkins, is a Burkhardt Beer wall clock and five photographs hanging on the wall. Printed in black in the bottom right corner is the photographer’s mark that reads [JAMES A. JOYCE / PHOTOGRAPHER / CLEVELAND, OHIO]. The photograph has a white border and a landscape orientation. The back of the photograph is white with a black ink stamp at the center that reads [PHOTO BY / JIMMY JOYCE / 2222 EAST 29TH ST. / CLEVELAND 6, OHIO].

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

2018.91.2.15

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): 8 1/8 × 10 in. (20.6 × 25.4 cm)

Object Name • Photograph of Disc Jockey Bill “Hawk” Hawkins and Bill Bailey

nmaahc_2018.91.2.15

NMAAHC

PHOTOGRAPH OF DISC JOCKEY BILL “HAWK” HAWKINS AND BILL BAILEY

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1950s

Bailey, Bill • Joyce, James A. • Burkhardt Brewing Company • Bill Hawkins’ Record Studio • Hawkins, Bill

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

Photography • Tap dancing • Radio

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

Portraits • Photographs

Images

Unknown - Restrictions Possible