Music: Blues Classic

One day nearly 20 years ago, Mildred Bailey lowered her mountainous bulk into her niece's tot-sized red rocking chair to pass the time of day with friend Hoagy Carmichael. When she tried to get up, the chair got up with her. Said Mildred with a laugh: "This ol' rockin' chair's got me, I guess." A month later, Composer Carmichael had finished the song that made Mildred famous:

Ol' rockin' chair's got me Cane by my side Fetch me that gin, son 'Fore I tan yo hide.†

Last week, Mildred was still rocking...