Dr. John

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Born 21 November 1940.

New Orleans blues pianist, singer and songwriter

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Dr John Interview with Bob Harris

Bob Harris interviews the fantastic Dr John.

Featured on BBC MUSIC SHOWCASE

Biography

Malcolm John "Mac" Rebennack, Jr. (born November 21, 1940), better known by the stage name Dr. John (also Dr. John Creaux, or Dr. John the Night Tripper), is an American singer-songwriter, pianist and guitarist, whose music combines blues, pop, jazz as well as zydeco, boogie woogie and rock and roll.

Active as a session musician since the late 1950s, he gained a cult following in the late sixties following the release of his album Gris-Gris and his appearance at the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music. He came to wider prominence in the early 1970s with a wildly theatrical stage show inspired by medicine shows, Mardi Gras costumes and voodoo ceremonies. Rebennack has recorded over 20 albums and in 1973 scored a top-20 hit with the jaunty funk-flavored "Right Place Wrong Time", still perhaps his best-known song.

The winner of six Grammy Awards, Rebennack was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by singer John Legend on March 14, 2011. In May 2013, Rebennack was the recipient of an honorary doctorate of fine arts from Tulane University. He was jokingly referred to by Tulane's president, Scott Cowen, as "Dr. Dr. John".

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BBC Reviews

  1. Locked Down 2012

    Review of Locked Down

    Reviewed by David Quantick

    A very 21st century LP from an ageless artist always worth listening to.
  2. Mercernary 2006

    Review of Mercernary

    Reviewed by Chris Jones

    Business as usual for the former Night Tripper, then. But business that's most welcome...
  3. Creole Moon

    Review of Creole Moon

    Reviewed by Chris Jones

    Proper funky New Orleans R'n'B, dished up in a swampy setting that would make a zombie...

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