Welcome to The Burn’s first Weekender story — an occasional feature story about some interesting or noteworthy person, place, or event linked to Loudoun County and surrounding areas. Enjoy!
Music lovers are probably familiar with the famous Cab Calloway. An iconic singer and band leader from the Swing era, he was famous for his performances at the Cotton Club in Harlem and his trademark song, “Minnie the Moocher.” A whole new generation discovered Calloway when he appeared in the 1980 movie, “The Blues Brothers.”
Calloway also had a local tie here to Loudoun County — but it’s not necessarily one anyone would want to brag about. On March 20, 1952, a local sheriff’s deputy arrested Calloway in Leesburg. The incident made headlines across the country.
“Band leader Cab Calloway faces trial here Monday in Loudoun County Trial Justice Court on charges of speeding and attempting to bribe a police officer,” read an article from the Associated Press that ran in many papers on March 21, 1952. “State Trooper Roy S. Smith arrested the 45-year-old Calloway yesterday on Route 7 east of (Leesburg). He said Calloway was driving 65 miles an hour (in a 50-mph zone).”
“Smith charged the orchestra leader offered him $10 in an effort to ‘influence his act and decision regarding arrest,’” the article continued. “Calloway who gave his address as Lydo Beach, NY, said he wanted to reach the race track at Charles Town, W. Va. in time for the second race.”
Fun fact for those who may not know — the race track is still there and operating. It originally opened in 1933 and today is part of the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races complex.
Calloway ultimately pleaded guilty to speeding and paid a $100 fine. The charge of attempting to bribe an officer was dropped at the recommendation of then-Commonwealth Attorney Sterling Harrison, who said there wasn’t sufficient evidence.
In a follow up article, the Associated Press reported that “after paying the fine, Calloway shook hands with (Trooper) Smith and said he was sorry.”
The Burn checked with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office on the off chance there might still be something about the arrest in their files, but a spokesperson said they didn’t have any traffic records left dating as far back as 1952.
Cab Calloway passed away in 1994, but his legacy lives on in recordings and videos — many of them available online. You can see his energetic performance of “Minnie the Moocher” in the video below — a video that has been watched 13 million times and counting.
