Explore Black History

1948-1958

A black-and-white photograph of Disc Jockey Bill “Hawk” Hawkins with a strolling band. Hawkins is depicted standing behind a DJ console placed on a sidewalk in front of a jewelry store. Directly behind him is the store front window decorated with painted graphics of a large eagle with spread wings, vinyl records, musical notes, and a banner at the top that reads [Bill Hawkins’-Records]. Hawkins stands at the center of the group wearing a white collared shirt, medium-toned trousers, and has a pair of headphones over his ears with black wires draped down the front of his shirt. He is dancing behind the microphone stand in front of him. At the top of the microphone is a microphone flag with the radio station call sign [WSRS] printed in white text. Hawkins is surrounded by a group of six men, including five men playing instruments and wearing the identical medium-toned, white, polka dot, clown costumes. Two of the musicians stand to the left of Hawkins, and the other three musicians stand on the right. The musician on the far left is playing a piano accordion. He is depicted facing the viewer and is smiling. He has a mustache and wears a sombrero on his head. The musician second from the left is depicted playing a trombone. He is wearing a miniature sombrero slightly off center. He is depicted in profile, facing Hawkins. The musician to the right of Hawkins is playing a large bass. He is depicted facing the viewer and wearing a miniature sombrero on the side of his head. The man second from the far right is depicted playing the bugle. He is standing in profile, wearing thick, dark rimmed glasses and a miniature sombrero on the top of his head. The musician on the far right is depicted in three quarters profile, with his head turned towards the viewer. He is playing the saxophone and he is also wearing a slightly tilted miniature sombrero. The sixth man, wearing a different costume, stands directly to the left of Hawkins. He is wearing a dark fez on his head, a white shirt, an embellished vest, a striped sash at his waist, and medium-toned harem trousers. He is holding an elongated, thin item in his proper right hand. The front of Hawkins DJ console advertises the WSRS radio station. A black, round graphic is painted at the center with the text [DIAL 1490] above it. On either side of the graphic is text written in varying fonts and sizes reads [RADIO / WSRS / MUSIC / AND / NEWS]. At the bottom, smaller text reads [THE COMMUNITY INFORMATION STATION / WITH THE ALL-AMERICAN FAMILY APPEAL]. A sign above the jewelry store reads [Fidelity / WATCH AND JEWELRY REPAIR]. In the background on the left, is a wooden bench with a white sign taped above it that reads [Requestfully / yours / Just ask Bill!]. On the right is a metal framed building sign that reads [1940 / FIDELITY / [BUIL?]DING]. There is yellowed tape residue along the bottom edge. The photograph has a white frame and a landscape orientation. The back of this photograph is white and plain with an inscription at the top center and remnants of a piece of adhesive tape along the bottom edge. The green ink inscription near the top center edge reads [Hawk / at The Street Charitable shop / Strolling Band[underlined]].

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

2018.91.2.21

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 3/16 × 10 in. (20.8 × 25.4 cm)

Object Name • Photograph of Disc Jockey Bill “Hawk” Hawkins with a strolling band

nmaahc_2018.91.2.21

NMAAHC

PHOTOGRAPH OF DISC JOCKEY BILL “HAWK” HAWKINS WITH A STROLLING BAND

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1940s • 1950s

WSRS • Hawkins, Bill

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

Photography • Amusements • Band (Music) • Radio • Instrumentalists (Musicians)

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

Portraits • Photographs

Images

Unknown - Restrictions Possible