George Nathaniel Tunnell (1912 - 1975)

Born 29 Jun 1912 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Died 20 May 1975 at age 62 in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

George Tunnell is Notable.

George was a Freemason.

George Tunnell was one of the first African American vocalists to perform with a white band.

George was born on 29 June, 1912 in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania, the son of Warren Nathaniel Tunnell and Mabel (Woodall) Tunnell.^[1][2]

He married Katherine Tunnell before 1940.^[3] They had two children.

He sang on the radio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a group that called themselves "The Candy Kids," and subsequently performed with several other groups. Later in his career, George was one of the first African-American vocalists to perform with a white band, that of jazz combo "Jan Savitt and His Top Hatters."

He died on 20 May 1975 in Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.^[4][5][6] He was interred at Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, Pennsylvania.^[7]

Research Notes

His mother is distinct from the Mabel Shockley who married John H. Tunnell, lived in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania for many years, and died in 1952 in Norristown, Pennsylvania.^[8] Warren's 1944 death certificate^[9] names him a widower, and George is the informant.

His draft card in 1940^[3] gives his birth date as 30 June, but his birth record in Philadelphia^[1] has 29 June. I have gone with the earlier record. Díaz-2569 23:18, 15 March 2022 (UTC)

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Birth Registration: "Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births, 1860-1906"
   Citing Birth, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, City of Philadelphia, Department of Records, Pennsylvania.
   FamilySearch (accessed 15 March 2022)
   FamilySearch Image Image number 00185
   Tunnel birth 29 Jun 1912 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
2. ↑ Birth: "Pennsylvania, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1906-1913"
   Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania (State). Birth Certificates, 1906-1913; Box Number: 487; Certificate Number Range: 114151--117450
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 60484 #35377220 (accessed 15 March 2022)
   Tunnel born on 29 Jun 1912, son of Warren Tunnel & Mabel Woodal, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Military: "U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947"
   National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Pennsylvania, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 2560
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2238 #8244805 (accessed 15 March 2022)
   Name: George N Tunnell; Gender: Male; Race: Black; Age: 28; Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head); Birth Date: 30 Jun 1912; Birth Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Residence Place: Bryn Mawr, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, USA; Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940; Registration Place: Bryn Mawr, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, USA; Height: 5 6; Weight: 158; Complexion: Light Brown; Hair Color: Black; Eye Color: Brown; Next of Kin: Katharine Tunnell;
   Household Members Age Relationship:
   George N Tunnell 28 Self (Head)
   Katharine Tunnell Wife.
4. ↑ "Ex-Band Singer 'Bon Bon' Is Dead At 62", Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (Wed) 21 May 1975, Page 22 Accessed through Newspapers.com
5. ↑ Death: "United States Social Security Death Index"
   Citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
   FamilySearch (accessed 15 March 2022)
   George Tunnell death May 1975 (age 63) in Delaware, Pennsylvania.
6. ↑ "George Tunnell, retired singer," The Delaware County Daily Times, 23 May 1975, p. 4, col. 1. Digital images. (newspapers.com; accessed 25 Oct 2021), Historical newspapers. link, no subscription to read.
7. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images : accessed 25 October 2021 link, memorial page for George N Tunnell (30 Jun 1912–20 May 1975), Find a Grave Memorial ID 214518463, citing Eden Cemetery, Collingdale, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by African American Genealogy Group (contributor 48813465).
8. ↑ Death: "Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1968"
   Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, PA; Pennsylvania (State). Death Certificates, 1906-1968; Certificate Number Range: 042901-045450
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 5164 #6534250 (accessed 15 March 2022)
   Mabel Shockley Tunnell death 26 May 1952 (age 62) in Norristown, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, USA.
9. ↑ Death: "Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1968"
   Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, PA; Pennsylvania (State). Death Certificates, 1906-1968; Certificate Number Range: 093951-096800
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 5164 #4597064 (accessed 15 March 2022)
   Warren N Tunnell death 28 Oct 1944 (age 60) in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

See also:

• Swing and Beyond
• Allmusic page for George "Bon Bon" Tunnell.
• The Philadelphia Inquirer, 26 Jun 1975 link, free to read.
• George singing "Vol Vistu Gaily Star" with Jan Savitt and His Top Hatters.
• Wikipedia: George Tunnell
• Wikidata: Item Q5545353, en:Wikipedia