Video: 'Death of Louis Armstrong'

(Tuesday, July 6, 1971, morning EDT)— American trumpeter and vocalist Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, one of the most influential figures in jazz, died of a heart attack in his sleep this morning at his home in the Corona section of Queens, a month before his 70th birthday.

Video: 'Satchmo: The Life of Louis Armstrong (Documentary)' (8 clips)

“Satchmo” had been at home since mid-June, when he was discharged from Beth Israel Medical Center after 10 weeks of treatment for heart, liver and kidney disorders. He seemed in good health during an interview June 23, in which he played his trumpet and announced his intention to return to public performances.