Gus Schuettler ©Stars and StripesFrankfurt, West Germany, April 18, 1968: Bandleader Count Basie relaxes backstage. Basie started out in vaudeville in the 1920s, and adapted to changing musical styles to remain popular for many decades. "Audiences change," said Basie, whose ventures into pop music didn't sit well with some jazz purists. "We're playing to a generation that wasn't even born when we began, and they appreciate another style. So we try to play music that they will like."

RELATED MATERIAL:Stars and Stripes' 1968 story about Count Basie and his music.