We Invite You To Share Your Thoughts And Well-Wishes.
We Invite You To Share Your Thoughts And Well-Wishes.
I've only just heard the news, my love goes to Huey's family.
A true inspiration, and the last actual Ink Spot (forget all the other fakes, Huey really was the last actual Ink Spot!)
Huey carried the banner brilliantly while Charlie Fuqua was in the army during the war, and those guitar riffs will live forever..a true star..!
From one doo-wop singer to another...R.I.P Huey XX
I'm 50 yrs old. And I live in the Heights area off of 20th St. and my family goes to the shops on 19th St. ALL the time. Well, one day we went into Venus Hair and to check out her Big Beautiful Station Wagon and Huey Long was in there. OMG!! We ALL flipped out. We gotten sighned autographed photo's and of course he sang for us. He was such a good man and VERY talented. We have family that is from Beaumont and they come into town and the first thing my Mother n law wants to do is go see Huey Long's Musuem. We LOVE it and he was loved. We do miss him alot. But, the Musuem keep's him with us so we can ALL remember in our hearts.
Nancy Weed
Houston, Tx.
i love you GRANDDADDY AND i love you AUNT ANNITA always thinking of yall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry about your dad Huey.
Did he have a good birthday?
Anita if your there sorry about your dad.
I love the Ink Spots! Awesome website!
Rewatched the Abbott & Costello film, "Pardon My Sarong" last night and was really pleased with their performance. I then realized that they sounded familiar and my hunch was right when I discovered they had a song in "Joe vs the Volcano" w/ Tom Hanks. Another great job...
It's a new year granddaddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love u and u will be withe me all this.. i think about u everyday......... love ur granddaughter kim long
I am saddened to hear of Huey's passing...I had the wonderful opportunity to perform with Huey for a few years...along with the Little Sisters. He stayed in my home...and was my daughters God Father...I loved him with all my heart...taught me what singing from the heart truly meant! He beleived in me...even when I doubted myself! I was so glad to hear he was with his daughter in the end....he was so proud of her and told me wonderful stories of her! I know you are on a new journey...that is what he called times in our life...I love you! Vicki
i truly miss my granddaddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! even after many years of being apart,he never forgot me and i never forgot him... when i came to houston in 2006, it was like we never been apart.and til this day and this moment i can still feel his love.... i will always love you granddaddy .... love always kim...
It`s some time since I posted my thoughts on your Web Site Anita. Very sadly, I did not know that Huey had passed away. What a great life, what a great musician, and here in England you can be sure that in one house, he will always be remembered and deeply respected. Best wishes -- Phil xx
R.I.P. Ink Spots
i came to know about this group, 20 years ago so, this tall man came to one of our choir practices and sat down, and was listening to me sing, and ask to help out, after he left someone said did i know who he was, and i said no, they said thats one of the original Ink Spots he played the bass, (first name only) Alvin he was the one who taught me how to bring a song to life
My heart goes out to you. I only discovered the music of the Ink spots some 25 years ago and have been a collector since. I discovered Huey 3 years ago and have been to his birthday party anually since. I was a vital, infectious personality that was a delight to be around. He lead a fascinating life and will be a part of the music scene for many, many years beyond his very long, full life. A real positive influence on the world.
Dr. Ray Calvert
Anita,
I am so sorry for your loss. I met you one time last year at the Inkspots Museum when I was buying a Christmas gift for my son in law. We talked a while & you asked me if I would like to meet your father sometime & I said I would. Last week I was checking the museum website to see when his birthday was, thinking he may have another party. I was too late...his birthday had passed & that was also the day he passed away. I was saddened by his passing & wished that I had not procrastinated on meeting him. Houston ( and the world) has lost a real treasure. My deepest sympathies go out to you & your family.
Dear Anita,
My heart goes out to you. I've only known you for a little while, but your beautiful and peaceful spirit must surely be a reflection of your father, a truly great man, in you.
God bless you and strengthen you through this time.
Rita Andrews
Daddy Long,
You will truly be missed. I loved hearing your voice & seeing your smile. I'm glad that we were able to spend time together in San Jose & Texas.
Thank you for making me feel so welcomed into the Long family.
I am proud to be your daughter-in-law.
I loved you very much.
May God bless our family & may your dreams, hopes & visions of your family kids eventually come true.
I love you,
Your Daughterin-law
Ruth
huey was an angel on earth...kind, gentle, witty and wise. i will always remember what a beautiful man he was.... he was a wonderful friend and music teacher. he shared with me many of his thoughts on arrangement, theory and harmony. i love and miss you huey. i will never forget to "start on the ti". >>>>>huey long, a true inspiration<<<<<
The music in heaven just became more glorious. I look forward to hearing you again.
Remembering Mr. Long. Memory is the only thing that can sustain us in our
relationships with each other. When the physical body leaves, the memories
are still left behind.
In San Joses, I met Anita who in turn introduced me to her father, who at
the time was in Houston. So she asked me to go visit him when I return
to Houston.
At that time, he was a young man of 96, full of energy and questions and
answers. He was a seeker of wisdom and knowledge. And that was what
attracted us together. When I met him at his home, he was slowly eating
his breakfast of eggs and bacons and toast. And in my usual way of lecturing,
I warn him of the disadvantage of eating fat bacon. In his quiet way he
just said time will tell. Many years later I realize he had a way of controlling
himself at his own pace.
I quizzed him about his future and he told me that when he was young he
never had the opportunity to play the piano nor sing, so he wanted to
develop his new career in singing. I was skeptical, but again he proved
me wrong when one day I recorded him singing when he was 101. If he was able
to be with us longer, he may have been a great singer.
Another time when I met him, he would comment on my humorous comments by
asking who wrote my material. I told him that Jack Benny is gone, so I am
using his stuff.
The great desire of the Chinese is to live a long time, and to be
associated with one who was over 100 is an honor and a privilege. I was
fortunate and indeed honored. Mr. Long's physical body is resting now,
but his memories will always be with me. Thanks for the memories.
I will miss my old friend Huey Long. He taught me so many things about music and about life. My deepest sympathy to all his family.
My condolences to the family on the passing of a great man who brought those of us "older" listeners many hours of pleasure.
I grew up listening to my mother's 78 RPM records by the Ink Spots and hold them dear to my heart. When mother passed away last summer, I was bequested her record collection and now have those 78s in my own collection.
On behalf of my mother and our family, please accept our heartfelt thanks for sharing this site. And I know Huey is singing with the Lord.
Respectfully,
CJ Woodring
Fort Wayne, Indiana
My condolences to the family of my dear friend, Huey Long. Anita, you know I cared for him deeply; to the rest of the family, please know that he had a good and caring friend in me. He had special care when I was in his presence. I'm so sorry I couldn't do more.
On the day of Mr. Long's death, I attended bible study and turned in a prayer request with his name on it, as I had many times before. I was so saddened when I was informed of his passing Thursday night.
As I mentioned previously, God blessed us both when we met. I had the priviledge and he had a true friend. It makes my heart happy to hear all the wonderful things said of him. They are all true. He was a true gentleman, he had charisma; he had it all together. He was amazing. He was unique. God knows he was special. Although we must realize, life surely wasn't all peaches and cream. We're all human, we all suffer at one time or another, we all make mistakes. But we must all keep in mind the beautiful words of Ms. Divi Tavenisa which she posted on her thoughts, every word is oh so true. Take heed, and you will surely be acknowledged and blessed by our wonderful Lord and Saviour. With that being said, I'd like to share a few more things:
I feel priviledged that he sang to me once-a couple of songs as he played the piano, and another time he shared his Bailey's Bristol Cream along with a toast from two cute, tiny glasses. I was quite hesitant because I don't like milk, but it was ok.
When I began to keep him company, he was 103. We took walks and all he used was a cane for caution and a little support. He'd get on the swing that swayed back and forth. I had trouble getting on and he got on with such poise. He told me a joke while we were having a conversation one evening. That joke gets alot of laughs. I Spotted a cardinal flying among the trees that same evening. Another time, I witnessed him sign stacks of books. I was so impressed that he was able to do more than I could have. Huey had such wonderful and beautiful friends. What a blessing! As it's been said previously, heaven has acquired quite a band up there. In closing, he had much respect for his daughter, Anita. He would always ask me to check with her for anything. He was truly aware and grateful for all she did. He was a proud father. Anita, God bless you in all your endeavors. Thank you for all you've shared and don't forget your little Mexican sister in Houston. You've made a friend for life. It's not over yet, so keep in mind, I'm here-all you need to do is call. 713-922-0226.
P.S.
Till we meet again, our handsome Prince.
Dear Anita,
There are no others I know of that have impressed me more than the Ink Spots most special songs and music. I played and replayed the music here and felt rejuvenated. I am 75 and remember this classic of all times music. Many graces to you for the Ink Spots Museum from another "Anita". And God Bless all of you and family.
HUEY WAS ONE OF MY FIRST INSPIRATIONS AS A GUITAR PLAYER .
HIS D'ANGELICO GUITAR WAS A BEAUTY , JUST LIKE HIS STYLE .
I WISH HIS FAMILY WELL AND PRAY THAT WE ALL LEARN A BIT FROM HIS LIFE . I HAVE LET THE JAZZ FOUNDATION OF AMERICA KNOW OF HIS PASSING ,MANY WILL HAVE HAPPY MEMORIES .
Dear Anita,
My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do. If you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know. ~ Tania-Maria
Prayer for the late Mr Huey Long
O my God! This is Thy servant and the son of Thy servant who hath believed in Thee and in Thy signs, and set his face towards Thee, wholly detached from all except Thee. Thou art, verily, of those who show mercy the most merciful.
Deal with him, O Thou Who forgivest the sins of men and concealest their faults, as beseemeth the heaven of Thy bounty and the ocean of Thy grace. Grant him admission within the precincts of Thy transcendent mercy that was before the foundation of earth and heaven. There is no God but Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.
Let him, then, repeat six times the greeting âAlláh-u-Abhá,â and then repeat nineteen times each of the following verses:
We all, verily, worship God.
We all, verily, bow down before God.
We all, verily, are devoted unto God.
We all, verily, give praise unto God.
We all, verily, yield thanks unto God.
We all, verily, are patient in God.
Baháâuâlláh
http://www.bahaiprayers.org/depart1.htm
To Dear Anita:
I wish to share with you my deepest sympathy and heartfelt sorrow on your moment of grief at the passing away of your dear father, who has given so much to so many people in so many ways for so long...
Thank you God for Mr. Huey Long. That you Huey for your lessons on wisdom, too many to count:
-To take care of the little things exceptionally well and the big things will take care of themselves;
-To be happy no matter what;
-To be steadfast no matter what;
-To be persistent, no matter what;
-To smile all life long, no matter what;
-To be a soulmate to all;
-To be genuine;
-To be kind;
-To be gentle;
-To give and to receive graciouly;
-To be who you really are;
-To believe in the goodness of others;
-To be trusting;
-To take chances;
-To be hopeful;
-To never give up a noble dream no matter how daunting;
-To be a friend to all, the high and the low and the in betweens;
-To manage your life, resources and time like a business - professionally and responsibly;
-To be steady, stable and calm and accepting of all situations and circumstances that life brings your way;
-To be accepting of all people;
-Never to burn any bridges;
-To be infinitely patient;
-That all your dreams will come true;
-That beauty and joy are the only true realities;
-That every human soul has something precious to contribute to your life;
-That people are the most important treasures on earth;
-That there is much much more to a person than meets the eye;
-To be clean;
-To be orderly;
-To be handsome;
-To be beautiful;
-To be happy;
-To be self sufficient;
-To be good.
-To be appreciative of every moment that this life has to offer.
-To do the right thing.
-To do things right.
God brought Huey into my life as a friend, co-worker, teacher, guide, advisor, confidante, devotee at the most excellent stage of his life - in his early 90's.
-To have such a deep and beautiful wellspring of memories of Huey in the core of my heart - to remember whenever I choose to and to nourish my soul with such a sweet and beautiful life, is the priceless gift that Mr. Huey (Ink Spot) Long has given to me and may His Soul Rest in Peace even though he will live on as long as I do.
Tavenisa Diri, 80 Nailuva Road, Suva, FIJI ISLANDS. tavenisa@gmail.com. +679-338 4276 , +679-730 7471 , +679 9800260.
Saturday June 13, 2009.
Posted On: Friday, Jun. 12 2009 @ 4:41PM
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am happy to say I met Mr. Long in The Heights several years back and had an opportunitty to speak with him and to get some CDs autographed. A true Houston legend and a gentlemen.
My sympathies to Anita and family I first met Mr Heuy Long when I was working as a health care provider in the Height where he was living.I'm so very grateful to have met him.I've sat down and talked with him many time at the Venus shop when i us to take Mrs.Linda Alexander there to get her hair cut Huey would be there I know that he was Ms.Venus bestfriend she always displayed her love for Mr.Huey Long
RIP MR.HUEY LONG LOVE ALWAYS A TRUE FRIEND BECAUSE ONCE YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH HIM YOU'LL NEVER FORGET HIM
MATALINE MCFARLAND B.K.A COOKIE
Thanks for the wonderful music. God Bless!
My sympathies to you Anite and your family - your father was a fabulous man.
Linda Avedon
I met Huey at the Heights festival & he was kind enough to take a photo with my son, and autograph a photo for my other son who was not present. A great gentleman and talented musician. Our thoughts are with his many friends and family.
I hope you feel better.-Miriam Sahlu i am from Ethopia
Hope you feel better...What was your first album?-Jovoire Bush-Powell
HELLO-XAVIER.
Hope you feel better-Joey Hernandez.
hi i hope that you feel better.-Maria Ramirez
Hello Mr.Huey, I think your music is nice.-Isaiah
I like your museum and your guitar.-Cecillio
Happy Birthday, Mr. Long.-Andrea
Happy Birthday and may God bless you.- Anaiah
It's been a pleasure learning about you.- Courtney
I hope you have a long and good life.- Armando
I am Tonya Stewart, Music Teacher at Hamilton Middle School.Words cannot express my appreciation to you and your daughter for sharing the wonderful legacy of music you have given to the world.Thanks ever so much!
Belated 105th birthday wishes to Mr. Huey Long, my dear friend. God bless you, sir. You're still quite a gentleman. I'm proud to know you and look forward to our next visit.
May the good Lord continue to keep a close watch on you. May He grant your every wish. Know that you are always in my prayers. I may not see you as often as I'd like, but know that you're in my thoughts. Your friend, Mary Sorola, and Joe (Alaniz), too.
Thank you for your invaluable contribution to music and our history. Thank you for this site to help us remember and others to learn of our heritage.
Blessings to you.
What a true legend!! That's all I can say -- hopefully I will meet you in person one day Huey!
I came from the Fiji Islands to Houston Texas in 1995 and Huey Long was my first and only friend throughout my stay in Houston from 1995 to 2003. We became instant friends from the first day we met which was also my first day in Houston, Texas. I did some calligraphy and for Huey and did some cleaning up and shopping and cooking and guiter playing and printing and singing and walking and laughing until I cried. Huey claims I wrote the book on "Sleak" or something like that. I was trying to persuade Huy to help me stay in America as Fiji was just a small island in the Pacific Ocean and we never get to see the legends in the world of music like I did when I was in Houston. I visited Huey just about every day after I finished teaching as a substitute teacher and then as a full time teacher at the Phyllis Wheatly High School and then the Booker T Washington High School. I fell in love with Huey Long and he became my friend, father, helper, soul mate, mentor, guiter teacher, writer, typist and so on and so forth. I left Houston in 2003 and think of him often but because I did not have access to the internet, I could not look for him literally. Today 22nd September, 2008, I just could not help myself so I went to the city in Fiji and used all my shopping money to look for Huey inan internet cafe and lo and behold !! I actually get to see Huey and listen to the Ink SPots.
HUEY THANK GOD FOR YOU. I LOVE YOU AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
Tavenisa Diri, 414 Waimanu Road, Suva, Fiji Islands.
Telephone: +679-9271915 tavenisa@gmail.com
6/22/08 -I FIRST MET MR. HUEY LONG AROUND 1996 (OR WAS IT 2001 & HE WAS 96?) IN A SMALL CAFE NEXT TO THE CORNER ANTIQUE SHOP ON 19TH ST., HOUSTON. I WAS DOING WHAT I LIKE TO DO BEST, BROWSING, MY IDEA OF RELAXATION, A RARE DAY FOR ME. AS I WAS LEAVING, THERE HE WAS, WITH HIS MUSIC COLLECTION, ETC. I STOPPED TO SPEAK WITH HIM A WHILE. HIS MUSIC WAS FAMILIAR TO ME AS I HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED ONE OF THE 'INKSPOTS' CASSETTES AT THE GROCERY STORE. I PURCHASED A CASSETTE THERE, TOO, & HE GRACIOUSLY AUTOGRAPHED A PICTURE FOR ME. IN 2005, I WAS BROWSING THROUGH THE HEIGHTS NEWSPAPER, & THERE WAS A WRITE-UP ON MR. LONG. HE WAS CELEBRATING HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY THAT MONTH. I FOUND HIS PH# IN THE PHONE BOOK, SO I MADE NOTE & CALLED HIM MY AT FIRST OPPORTUNITY. AFTER TELLING HIM WHERE I FIRST MET HIM & SO FORTH, HE INVITED ME TO HIS BIRTHDAY PARTY. I DIDN'T MAKE IT, BUT THE FOLLOWING YEAR, CO-INCIDENTALLY, I READ ABOUT PLANS TO CELEBRATE HIS 101ST BIRTHDAY. I GAVE HIM A CALL & TOLD HIM I WAS SORRY I DIDN'T MAKE IT TO HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY PARTY. HE SAID, "WELL THEN, YOU MUST COME MY 101ST BIRTHDAY PARTY". I DIDN'T MAKE THAT ONE EITHER. THE NEXT TIME I SPOKE TO HIM, I ASKED HIM TO WHAT AGE DID HE WANT TO LIVE? HE SAID HE'D LIKE TO LIVE TO 110. I SAID, "WELL, I'VE GOT PLENTY OF TIME TO MAKE IT TO AT LEAST ONE OF YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTIES". WE LAUGHED ABOUT IT. WE'VE BECOME GOOD FRIENDS. I'VE SINCE ATTENDED HIS 102ND, 103RD, & HIS 104TH BIRTHDAY PARTIES. I'VE HAD THE HONOR AND THE PRIVILEDGE OF KEEPING HIM COMPANY ON MANY OCCASIONS. HE'S OUTSTANDING & A TRUE GENTLEMAN. I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR HIM AND AM PRIVILEDGED TO BE CALLED HIS DAUGHTER (JOKINGLY BY ANITA). THE LAST PHOTO I TOOK OF HIM WAS ON HIS BIRTHDAY, APRIL, 25TH. I VISITED WITH HIM ON FATHER'S DAY; ALTHOUGH HE WAS DRESSED RATHER SHARP, HE SEEMED VERY WEAK THAT DAY. HE DID ASK ABOUT MY
PARTNER, JOE, SO SOON AFTER, I TOOK JOE TO SEE HIM. HE LOOKED REALLY GREAT THAT DAY (MY PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED). WE WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE A SNAPSHOT OF HIM AND US TOGETHER, THAT DAY, BUT WE WERE SADDENED TO LEARN THAT IT WAS NOT ALLOWED. ANYWAY, WE'RE GLAD HE'S COMFORTABLE IN HIS SURROUNDINGS, AND THAT HE HAS A GOOD FRIEND AS HIS NEIGHBOR. GOD BLESS HIM AND YOU, TOO, HUEY! WE LOVE YOU. JOE AND MARY SOROLA
I'm always impressed with longevity. I'm just a mere child of 65. My mother and father were fans of the Ink Spots. They used to go dancing in Galveston back in the rip roaring days of open gambling and live entertainment. They had every recording of the Ink Spots on old 78 rpm records, which I played over and over on their Victrola. I have always loved the unique style of the Ink Spots and am pleased to learn that Huey Long has a museum to celebrate his musical group's heritage. They have contributed much to the popular music world and I hope to visit the museum soon. Congratulations and Happy Birthday to Mr. Long.
Lindell Dodd Vecchio
As a child I have vivid memories of the impact that Huey and the Group had on my father who, as a WW2 British soldier, travelled to America on the important merchant shipping crossings (he was a Sgt Ack-Ack Gun Layer guarding the shipping). My father`s favourite group, without any doubt, was the Ink Spots. I have a number of photographs of him in America, one of which is a fantastic image of him queuing at the Stage Door Canteen in New York with American and British Servicemen. I have often wondered what they were about to see; their young faces are full of expectation and a piece of me has always believed that on that evening they were queueing to see the Ink Spots. I have always pinned that image to the music of the Ink Spots, it hangs on my living room wall, and I always think of my father and the Ink Spots when I look at it. I am not alone: my 12 year old son understands the significance of their quite outstanding contribution to the music industry (he plays trumpet) and I am proud to regularly listen to the sound of what I regard as one of the most important contributions to the music industry within living memory.
A quite outstanding web site that helps to keep alive the legacy of Huey and the Group - thank you.
I am a life long fan! I came all the way from New York State to meet Mr. Long. It was a pleasure to visit the museum.
While my parents Wayne and Joyce Jones were visiting Houston from Binghamton, New York we took a driving tour of the city and stopped at Carter and Cooley's in the Heights neighborhood for an ice cream. There my father read in the neighborhood paper The Heights Tribune about the Ink Spots Museum. My father is a life long fan. Growing up I remember that he had every album by the Ink Spots. We decided to take a look and we are so glad we did! What a fantastic surprise!. We never imagined that Huey Long himself would be there. Not only did we have the chance to meet the legend but were also honored by the opportunity to hear Mr. Long sing a couple of lines along to a recording of Java Jive. I'll never forget this day in May 2008! Thank you Mr. Long, and thank you also to your daughter Anita.
I met Huey Long when I was in junior high school at a school function. I remember how thrilled I was to have met someone from my own hometown who is a legend. I still am. Best wishes to Mr. Long.
Notonly is Huey as fine a musician and man as they come, I think Mr. Long has an amazing daughter who is remarkable in both her fortitude and zest for his care, his legacy, and his artistry.
Hello Mr. Long,
Happy birthday to you!!!
May God Bless You and be with you always.
Have a Great Day!!
PS. Keep the good work up Antia.
May God Bless You also.
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Hello, I'm 53 years old and my dad had a Deka dual record set of the inkspots. He used to listen to the inkspots while deployed in Burma during WWII. miss my dad and I still love to play the songs and think of my dad. I can just imagine him sitting in an army tent in the 1940's playing the ink spots thinking about home.. really gets ya.
His favorites were "If I didnt care" and "java Jive" . Us kids loved the record and played it quite often. When we wanted a special favor, we'd put on the ink spots and he'd ask, "What to you want"? That became a family joke until he died in 2007. To this day, his kids can sing the Java Jive song from memory.
One of my favorite memories was we saw the inkspots live in concert in 1986 and even though the band members were older, they really sounded great. Thanks for you site