Guide Note

Don Ho was a Hawaiian musician and songwriter whose career started by singing at his mother's club, Honey's, in 1959.

Reprise Records executives began to take notice of Ho in the 1960s when he moved from Honey's to sing at another club, Duke's. The release of his 1965 debut album, Don Ho Show, helped establish Ho as the premier entertainer in Hawaii, as did his second album, Don Ho - Again!. In 1966, he recorded what has become his signature song, "Tiny Bubbles."

Ho was arguably a Hawaiian icon, appearing on various TV shows throughout his career, including I Dream of Jeannie, The Brady Bunch, and Charlie's Angels. He even hosted his own self-titled show on ABC.

After being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, Ho went to Thailand, where he underwent stem cell surgery in 2005. He died of heart failure two years later.

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Donald Tai Loy Ho
2. Born: August 13, 1930
3. Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii
4. Died: April 14, 2007
5. Age: 76
6. Career: 1959-2007
7. Ten children, including Hoku
8. Former U.S. Air Force pilot