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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZPROFESSOR LONGHAIR(b Henry Roeland 'Roy' Byrd, 19 Dec. '18, Bogalusa LA; d 30 Jan. '80) Pianist, composer; aka 'Fess': master of New Orleans rock'n'roll; undoubtedly the biggest single infl. on Huey Smith, Fats Domino, Mac Rebennack: innovatory style replete with rumba and Spanish tinges; described by Allen Toussaint as 'the Bach of rock'n'roll'. He was infl. by Isadore 'Tuts' Washington Jr (b 24 Jan. '07, New Orleans), who did not record until '83 (New Orleans Piano Professor on Rounder); Tuts was in turn infl. by Joseph Louis 'Red' Cayou (b c'05), who had heard Jelly Roll Morton as a child. Fess was hired by Dave Bartholomew '49; formed own combo called the Four Hairs, took name Professor Longhair; made four sides in local club for Dallas-based Star Talent label as Professor Longhair and his Shuffling Hungarians, incl. 'She Ain't Got No Hair', remade as 'Bald Head' '50 on Mercury (as Roy Byrd) for no. 5 R&B hit. Recorded for Atlantic '50, Federal '54 ('Gone So Long'), Atlantic again '53 (incl. classic 'Tipitina'), Atlantic tracks compiled on New Orleans Piano '72. Records on other obscure labels '50s, early '60s; on Watch '63- -4: 'Big Chief', 'Third House From The Left' have vocals by Earl King. Almost forgotten, he played at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival '71, began comeback but only demos resulted: Houseparty New Orleans Style on Rounder compiles them, incl. Snooks Eaglin on guitar plus bass and drums, delightful mid- period Longhair. Several tunes were covered by Mac Rebbenack ('Dr John') on various LPs. Other albums: Mardi Gras in New Orleans 1949--57 on Nighthawk; Rock'n'Roll Gumbo '74 on Dancing Cat, Live On The Queen Mary '75 on One Way, Crawfish Fiesta '80 on Alligator; two-CD 'Fess: The Professor Longhair Anthology and others on Rhino. |