Spade Cooley | |
|---|---|
 Spade Cooley (1944) | |
| Born | Donnell Clyde Cooley December 17, 1910 |
| Died | November 23, 1969 (aged 58) Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Other names | King of Western Swing |
| Criminal status | Paroled - died before grant of parole enacted |
| Criminal charge | First-degree murder |
| Penalty | Life in prison |
| Details | |
| Victims | Ella Mae Cooley (née Evans) |
| Date | April 3, 1961 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Western swing |
| Occupation(s) | Big band leader, actor, television personality |
| Instrument(s) | Fiddle, vocals |
| Years active |
|
| Labels | Westernair, Columbia, RCA, Decca, OKeh |
Donnell Clyde "Spade" Cooley (December 17, 1910 – November 23, 1969) was an American Western swing musician, big band leader, actor, television personality and convicted murderer. In 1961 he was tried and convicted for the murder of his second wife, Ella Mae Evans.[1]
- ^ "Spade Cooley, King of Western Swing, killed his wife -- the Crime Library - The Crime library". 11 May 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-05-11. Retrieved August 5, 2021.