12 Facts About Willie Eckstein

William Eckstein was born in Pointe St Charles, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

At age 6, Willie Eckstein studied with Moretzky Upton of McGill University, and various other music teachers, who taught him piano, theory and harmony, and at age 12 was offered a piano scholarship to the school.

Willie Eckstein was even invited to perform for Theodore Roosevelt at the White House.

In 1910, Willie Eckstein returned to Montreal and became an accompanist at the Lyric Music Hall before moving to the Strand Theater in 1912 where he accompanied silent films and was known as "Mr Fingers".

Willie Eckstein became noted as a ragtime composer; his pieces include Perpetual Rag and Delirious Rag, both co-authored with Harry Thomas.

Willie Eckstein attempted to enlist in the army during the First World War, but was refused because of his height.

Willie Eckstein gave the first live radio performance in North America in 1919.

Willie Eckstein recorded with Eckstein's Jazz Band, the Melody Kings from Montreal, the Willie Eckstein Trio, The Strand Trio and as a solo performer.

Willie Eckstein was honored in 1959 for his composition "Queen of Canada" for Queen Elizabeth II's Canadian tour.

In May 1963, Willie Eckstein attended an appreciation night held at His Majesty's Theater in his honor but was too sick to perform.

Willie Eckstein died on 23 September 1963 at the age of 74.

In 2006, Willie Eckstein was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.