Dr. John
Under The Bridge, Fulham
18 July 2012
Click an image to enlarge.
Dr. John allowed me to photograph him here
after a brief discussion about what I do and why I do it. Thank
you!
Biography
Dr. John, or Mac Rebennack as known to friends
and family, is universally celebrated as the living embodiment of
the rich musical heritage exclusive to New Orleans. His very colourful
musical career began in the 1950s when he wrote and played guitar
on some of the greatest records to come out of the Crescent City,
including recordings by Professor Longhair, Art Neville, Joe Tex
and Frankie Ford.
A notorious gun incident forced the artist to give
up the guitar and concentrate on organ and piano. Further trouble
at home sent Dr. John west in the 1960s, where he continued to be
in demand as a session musician, playing on records by Sonny and
Cher, Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin and The Rolling Stones' infamous
Exile On Main St. to name a few.
During that time he also launched his solo career,
developing the charismatic persona of Dr. John The Nite Tripper.
Adorned with voodoo charms and regalia, a legend was born with his
breakthrough 1968 album Gris-gris, which established his unique
blend of voodoo mysticism, funk, rhythm & blues, psychedelic
rock and Creole roots.
Several of his many career highlights include the masterful album
“Sun, Moon and Herbs” in 1971 which included cameos
from Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger and 1973’s “In The
Right Place,” which contained the chart hits “Right
Place Wrong Time” and “Such A Night.”
Dr. John garnered Grammy award wins in 1989, 1992,
1996 and 2000. In 2004, his musical love letter to the city of New
Orleans, “N’awlinz Dis Dat or D’udda,” was
awarded the prestigious Académie Charles Cros 57ème
Palmarès award in France. It was the first time since the
1970s that an artist from North America received the award.
He has also received six other nominations over
the years. In 2007 he was nominated for a Grammy for “Sippiana
Hericane,” his Hurricane Katrina benefit disc. Other awards
include the American Society of Young Musicians 2007 Trailblazer
Award.
After Hurricane Katrina and government bungles
bashed New Orleans in 2005, Dr. John immediately stepped up to the
plate with both generous relief fund-raising concerts and recordings
and angry public words of protest. In 2008 he released “City
That Care Forgot,” an album winning him a Grammy for Best
Contemporary Blues Album.
2010’s release, TRIBAL, has Dr. John revisiting
that classic, swampy gris-gris style that put him on the map. After
a half century of creating music for others and himself, Dr. John
continues to write, arrange, produce and interpret with a passion
that has yet to wane. He continues to dazzle and delight audiences
across the globe touring consistently.
|