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Charlie was born Charles Parker Jr. to Addie and Charles Parker. He was born in Kansas City, Kansas. He was their first born and ended up an only child.
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Charlie was eight years old when his family moved from Kansas City, Kansas, to Kansas City, Missouri. Shortly after Charlie and his parents moved, Charlie's father left the family for good. This was a result of Charlie's father's drug addiction.
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Charlie enrolled in the school band and was assigned to play the baritone horn. However, a few months later he chose to play the alto saxophone.
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Charlie's mother had a close friend named Fannie Ruffin. Fannie's family was poor and in need of money. Fannie's family moved in with the Parkers. Before long Charlie developed a relationship with Fannie's daughter named Rebecca. Fannie was very mad about this relationship and immediately moved her family out of the Parkers house. However, Charlie and Rebecca still met in secret. They ended up getting married.
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Charlie's first son, Francis Leon Parker, is born.
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Charlie moved to New York City.
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Charlie joined Jay McShann's band. They toured through the southwest United States, Chicago, and New York City. Charlie left Jay McShann's band in 1942. This is when he got the nickname "Yardbird". The nickname "Yardbird" was given to Charlie after a car he was riding in hit a chicken. Charlie insisted they take the chicken and cook it when they got to where they were going.
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Charlie joined the Earl Hines band. Dizzie Gillespie was a member of this band. Charlie and Dizzie ended up being the founders of "Bebop" or Modern Jazz.
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Charlie married Geraldine Scott.
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Charlie moves to Los Angeles.
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Charlie is hospitalized after suffering a nervous breakdown. He was in the hospital for 6 months.
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Charlie moves back to New York. He formed a quintet that included himself, Miles Davis, Max Roach, Duke Jordan, and Tommy Potter. They stayed together for 18 months. They played at different places in New York City. They also travelled to Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.
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Charlie marries Doris Sydnor.
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Charlie accepted an invitation to perform at the 2nd annual Paris Jazz Fest. It was his first opportunity to perform overseas. Charlie even considered moving to Europe after playing there, but decided to return to the U.S.
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A nightspot named Birdland opened in Charlie's name. He did not have any ownership. He did play the opening night and many times after the opening though.
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Charlie and Chan Richardson become a couple.
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Charlie lost his cabaret card. This was needed to play music in New York state cabarets. Charlie wasn't able to play in New York cabarets for over 2 years. This caused a major financial problem for Charlie and his family.
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Charlie's first daughter, Pree Parker, is born.
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Charlie's second son, Baird Parker, is born.
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Charlie and Chan's daughter Pree dies due to a heart condition. Charlie blamed himself for Pree's death. He felt he didn't have the means to get good health care for her.
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Charlie dies from many medical conditions.
