Kansas City jazz great, Bennie Moten died during a tonsillectomy. His band member, Count Basie took over as leader and introduced the world to “The Kansas City Sound.”

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.