Floyd Dixon dies at 77, influenced Ray Charles, others

[Zomby Woof]

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-dixon28jul28,0,6958468.story?coll=la-home-obituaries

Floyd Dixon, 77; Blues Singer, Pianist Influenced Ray Charles
By Geoff Boucher, Times Staff Writer
July 28, 2006

Floyd Dixon, the singer and jump-blues pianist who dubbed himself "Mr. Magnificent" and became an influential figure in the burgeoning R&B scene of 1950s Southern California, died Wednesday of cancer at Chapman Hospital in Orange. He was 77.

Dixon's best-known song was the raucous "Hey Bartender," which was made popular by the Blues Brothers.

His other notable recordings included "Wine, Wine, Wine," "Call Operator 210," "Telephone Blues" and the early Jerry Lieber-Mike Stoller song "Too Much Jelly Roll."

His career found him taking on a variety of styles and sounds: mournful blues, R&B ballads, ribald bar songs and even a channeling of Little Richard on late 1950s tracks such as "Oooh Little Girl." But his strongest suit was jump blues, which added a grit and vigor to the smooth blues lessons he absorbed from his major influence, Charles Brown.

-snip-

RIP, Floyd. His memorial service is open to the public, and will be held in Inglewood on Monday.

[Tikki]

1. We are so sad to read this news.....

I have some cassette tapes of radio interviews with Floyd Dixon. His life was truly historical.

The Tikkis

[Zomby Woof]

2. I love the jump blues

I have some Dixon on a blues piano anthology, and have always enjoyed his infectious style. I will play it this weekend in memory.

[zonkers]

3. A nice pic as a young man and one from 02. Quite a guy.

[GOPisEvil]

4. RIP, Floyd

Thanks to The Blues Brothers (ok, Dan Aykroyd) for putting your name in my consciousness.

[zonkers]

5. Here's a nice link to a video stream of him - short interview/bio....

http://www.highjohn.com/dixonvideo.aspx