(This page is called GonzoMore)
mother sang in Baptist gospel choir, had operatic voice. Father was a Baptist minister, before that was a dancer from Bryan, Texas.
classical piano up to age 12
Black Liberace
Black Chopin
Black Minute Waltz
sneakignoff to learn boogie woogie
piano prince of New Orleans
organ solo
Booker Boy and the Rhythmaires (w/Art Neville, early 50s)
1954, "Doing the Hambone"
1958, impersonating Huey "Piano" Smith on the road
1960, Gonzo, No. 10 R&B, No. 43 pop
nickname (gone-zo, HST)
name of a leading character in The Pusher
Cold Turkey
late '60s bust for heroin
Angola ("the Ponderosa")
1968, as Fats
NY
'70s and '80s, performing again
[
solo albums, sideman
1976, JGB
]
"That day in New York he was right on the edge, flying on some kind of stimulant - playing brilliantly but unable to calm down or stop for a break. During one of the breaks, he was still at the piano, pouring out a barrage of brilliant improvisations. Everyone else wanted to relax and get ready for the next takes. I tried to distract him by engaging him in conversation. I asked him if he knew my favorite New Orleans song, Junco Partner. "Know it? Know it?? Baby, that's my theme song!"
[
Maple Leaf gigs
civil service]
JazzFest
Died, November 8, 1983
"Little" James Booker