End of Swing

- Benny's last big accomplishment was winning a Grammy for his hit, "Sing, Sing, Sing."

- By 1940, his career began to fade and he settled down.

- He married Alice Hammond and they had two girls, Rachael and Benjie.

- After WWII ended in 1945, Jazz began its decline and bebop began to emerge.

- Benny's orchestra broke up.

- Benny traveled and continued to play his clarinet at small venues.

- On June 13, 1980, Benny died due to heart failure in New York.

- His legacy lives on today as "The King of Swing" and he helped open doors for colored musicians.

Conclusion

Benny Goodman changed the way people perceived music and the structure behind it. He took Jazz and altered it to fit the new era and out came swing. He opened doors for African American musicians by integrating his bands and proved to the public that talent out weighs skin color. He embodies the term "American Dream" and all it stand for. He was born into a poor immigrant family and made something of himself. It's astonishing that a man from humble beginnings has created a major impact on American culture.