"Until this time, he had more or less acquiesced to the life into which he had been born, a world of pimps, thieves, hookers, and gamblers, of random violence and enigmatic jolts of good fortune." (Bergreen P. 75) Soon after he began playing, Armstrong was made leader of the band. This is when Louis began to come into his own as a performer. His personality was born, he wasn't just a musician, he was a true entertainer He was hired by various cabarets throughout the city, as well as for picnics, dances, and funerals. In June of 1914, Armstrong was free to leave the Waifs' Home. He returned to the old neighborhood living with his father amongst chaos of gambling, pimps, prostitutes and drug dealer stand. He worked selling papers, unloading boats, and selling coal from a cart, not once picking up the instrument he fell in love with at the Waif Home. He left the home at age fourteen on his father's request and for all practical reasons his childhood was over. He moved back in with his mother and started playing music again. He played back in the old neighborhood dance halls and saloons that were run by gangsters. Then in 1917 prostitution in Storyville was outlawed, and Storyville became a ghost town. "For Louis Armstrong, the closing of Storyville meant more than a bawdy diversion it was the end of a way of life on which he had relied since he was a child." (Bergreen p. 110) Once playing on this place the famous Joe `King" Oliver, his idol, spotted him. (Louis followed King Oliver wherever he was playing. Luis would show up and ask to carry his bag and help out with other things). He hooked up with Joe, and started playing in New Orleans Country Clubs, expensive restaurants, and even at private parties in the homes of wealthy whites, trained by Joe. King Oliver recognized Louise's talent and gave Louis job that he couldn't take. King Oliver, Louis's mentor left North to Chicago while Louis stayed behind; he still didn't earn enough from his music to support himself.
