Hamilton in Butler County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Johnny S. Black, Songwriter / Paper Doll
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, October 21, 2020
1. Johnny S. Black, Songwriter side of marker
John Stewart Black (1891-1936) was a Vaudeville performer and songwriter who penned the classic "Paper Doll." He is also remembered for "Dardanella," which he called his "gift to the musical world." "Dardanella", recorded by the Ben Selvin Novelty Orchestra, debuted in 1919 and is believed to have sold more than five million copies. In 1942, the Piqua-born Mills Brothers recorded Black's tune "Paper Doll." It sold over 6 million records, was number one on the Billboard charts for twelve weeks in 1943 and became one of the most memorable records of the World War II era. Many artists, including Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, recorded "Paper Doll" and the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
I'm gonna buy a Paper Doll that I can call my own
A doll that other fellows cannot steal
And then the flirty, flirty guys with their flirty, flirty eyes
Will have to flirt with dollies that are real
When I come home at night she will be waiting
She'll be the truest doll in all this world
I'd rather have a Paper Doll to call my own
Then have a fickle-minded
this page online
Written by Johnny S. Black, 1915
Recorded by the Mills Brother, 1942
Lyrics used by permission of Edward B. Marks Music Company
Erected 2014 by Hamilton Community Foundation; Cincinnati Musicians' Association No. 1; Private Donations to the Johnny S. Black Memorial Fund; Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 30-9.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list.
Location. 39° 24.185′ N, 84° 33.724′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Ohio, in Butler County. Marker is at the intersection of Riverfront Plaza and Buckeye Street, on the right on Riverfront Plaza. The marker is at Rivers Edge Pavilion in Marcum Park, can best be reached from Buckeye and Riverfront Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 Dayton St, Hamilton OH 45011, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lane-Hooven House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hamilton (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Hamilton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Heritage Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); The High-Main Street Bridge
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, October 21, 2020
2. Paper Doll side of marker
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, October 21, 2020
3. Johnny S. Black, Songwriter Marker
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, October 21, 2020
4. The marker as seen from Buckeye Street at Riverfront Plaza, with "guitar" sculpture
Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2020, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 22, 2020, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
