From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Thu Dec 19, 2002  6:19 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Professor Longhair
 
PROFESSOR LONGHAIR

Born Henry Roeland Byrd, 19 December 1918, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Died 30 January 1980, New Orleans, Louisiana

Vocalist / pianist / drummer..
Professor Longhair (nickname "Fess") is regarded as one of New
Orleans' most influential artists. His rhythmic innovations made his
style of piano playing unique.
Born in poverty, Roy Byrd grew up in New Orleans where he became
a tap dancer and street musician in his teens. His first instrument
was a drum kit, but eventually he found the piano more interesting.
Barrelhouse pianist Sullivan Rock (who died around 1940) was his
major influence. After wartime service, Byrd gained a residency at the
Caldonia club, whose owner christened him Professor Longhair. By
now, he had developed a piano style that combined elements of rumba
and mambo with more standard boogie-woogie and barrelhouse rhythms.
In 1949 he made the first record of his most famous tune, "Mardi Gras
In New Orleans" for the Star Talent label, which credited the artist as
Professor Longhair & his Shuffling Hungarians. He next recorded
"Baldhead" for Mercury as Roy Byrd and his Blues Jumpers and the
song became a national R&B hit in 1950 (# 5), the only chart entry
of his career. Some of his best work (including the classic "Tipitina")
was recorded for Atlantic, where he did his first session in late 1949
and a second one (after a stint at Federal) in 1953, with a heavier beat.
These Atlantic recordings are collected on the album "New Orleans
Piano" (1972) and include previously unissued gems like "Ball The Wall".
A mild stroke interrupted his career in the mid-50s and for some years
he performed infrequently apart from at Carnival season when a third
version of his topical song, "Go To The Mardi Gras" (1958) received
extensive radio play. Also he cut several sides for Ebb in 1957.
Apart from recordings for the Ron and Watch labels, Longhair was
virtually inactive throughout the '60s. He returned to the limelight at
the first New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 1971 when, accom-
panied by Snooks Eaglin, he received standing ovations. (A recording
of the concert was finally issued in 1987). This led to European tours
in 1973 and 1975 and to recordings with Gatemouth Brown and for
Harvest. When Paul McCartney hired Longhair to play a private party
aboard the Queen Mary in 1976, Byrd had no idea who Paul McCartney
was. He had never even heard of the Beatles. Even though he'd been to
Europe and all across the country, his world was right there on Rampart
street with his family.
Longhair's final album, "Crawfish Fiesta", for Alligator, was completed
shortly before he died of a heart attack in January 1980. In 1991 he was
posthumously inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame.

More info: http://www.coldbacon.com/music/fess.html
Recommended listening:
Fess : The Professor Longhair Anthology (Rhino 2 CD-set).
New Orleans Piano (LP: Atlantic, CD : Sequel, with extra tracks).
All His 78's (Star Talent)
House Party New Orleans Style (Rounder)