For Louis Armstrong, It Was A Wonderful World; Sound Of Success: Jazz trumpeter devoted himself to stellar musicianship, constant touring and audience accessibility.(LEADERS & SUCCESS)(BEST OF LEADERS & SUCCESS)

Byline: PHILIP MICHAELS

Louis Armstrong was in bad shape. At 69 years old, his body was wearing down after a lifetime of touring. Heart, kidneys, lungs -- every inch of the musician's body ached.

He didn't have to keep performing. After 50-plus years of playing jazz, he had financial security and an unquestioned musical legacy. But Armstrong wasn't content to rest on his laurels. He kept playing gigs. By March 1971, four months before Armstrong died in his sleep, his doctor had seen enough.

He tried to talk Armstrong out of playing a two-week run at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. If Armstrong went through with the show, the doctor warned, chances were he might die on stage.

Armstrong wouldn't consider dropping out.

"My whole life, my whole soul, my whole spirit is to blow that horn," Armstrong told the doctor. "I've got to do it."

More than anything, that's what drove Armstrong (1901-71) throughout his career. He held on through the lean years and put up with the long days and nights on the road for one reason: He couldn't imagine what life would be like if he weren't playing his music.