Huey “Piano” Smith, the R&b pianist and composer whose 1950s hits “Don’t You Just Know It” and “Rockin’ Pneumonia and Boogie Woogie Flu” added New Orleans spice to the early rock and roll recipe, died Feb. 13 at his home in Baton Rouge. He was 89.
His death was announced by his Acquelyn Donsereaux. A cause was not specified.
A New Orleans native who launched his career as a session pianist while still in his teens, eventually working with Little Richard, Lloyd Price and Smiley Lewis (“I Hear You Knocking”), Smith formed his band Huey “Piano” Smith and the Clowns in 1957 and soon had a hit with “Rockin’ Pneumonia and Boogie Woogie Flu,” a song the would return to the charts in cover versions over the decades.
The following year brought another hit, “Don’t You Just Know It,” a catchy song featuring a call-and-response chorus of nonsense words and shouted outbursts.
His death was announced by his Acquelyn Donsereaux. A cause was not specified.
A New Orleans native who launched his career as a session pianist while still in his teens, eventually working with Little Richard, Lloyd Price and Smiley Lewis (“I Hear You Knocking”), Smith formed his band Huey “Piano” Smith and the Clowns in 1957 and soon had a hit with “Rockin’ Pneumonia and Boogie Woogie Flu,” a song the would return to the charts in cover versions over the decades.
The following year brought another hit, “Don’t You Just Know It,” a catchy song featuring a call-and-response chorus of nonsense words and shouted outbursts.
- 2/21/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Huey “Piano” Smith, a New Orleans R&b legend and an early pioneer of rock n’ roll, has died at the age of 89.
Smith’s daughter, Acquelyn Donsereaux, confirmed her father’s death to the New Orleans Times-Picayune/Advocate, adding Smith died in his sleep Tuesday at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
A renowned boogie pianist who recorded alongside the likes of Little Richard, Lloyd Price, Earl King, and countless Big Easy musicians, Smith was best known for his Fifties recording “Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu.”
While...
Smith’s daughter, Acquelyn Donsereaux, confirmed her father’s death to the New Orleans Times-Picayune/Advocate, adding Smith died in his sleep Tuesday at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
A renowned boogie pianist who recorded alongside the likes of Little Richard, Lloyd Price, Earl King, and countless Big Easy musicians, Smith was best known for his Fifties recording “Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu.”
While...
- 2/15/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Dave Bartholomew, credited by many with creating early rock ‘n roll in his work with Fats Domino, has died at age 100 at East Jefferson General Hospital in New Orleans, his son said. He was 100 years old.
A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, Bartholomew was a trumpeter, producer, arranger, songwriter, and bandleader. He was the longtime collaborator of Fats Domino, helping him write, arrange and perform some of the nation’s biggest hits back in the 1950’s and 60’s.
He was a key behind the scenes man at Cosimo Matassa’s J&m Recording Studio, matching musicians and producing some of New Orleans most memorable music by artists including Smiley Lewis, Snooks Eaglin, Little Sonny Jones, Pee Wee Crayton, Shirley and Lee, Frankie Ford and Sugarboy Crawford.
Bartholomew nurtured Domino’s career, letting him sit-in...
A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, Bartholomew was a trumpeter, producer, arranger, songwriter, and bandleader. He was the longtime collaborator of Fats Domino, helping him write, arrange and perform some of the nation’s biggest hits back in the 1950’s and 60’s.
He was a key behind the scenes man at Cosimo Matassa’s J&m Recording Studio, matching musicians and producing some of New Orleans most memorable music by artists including Smiley Lewis, Snooks Eaglin, Little Sonny Jones, Pee Wee Crayton, Shirley and Lee, Frankie Ford and Sugarboy Crawford.
Bartholomew nurtured Domino’s career, letting him sit-in...
- 6/23/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Frankie Ford, the singer best known for the 1959 hit “Sea Cruise,” died Monday at his home in Gretna, Louisiana, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported Tuesday. He was 76. Ford had suffered from “a lengthy illness,” the newspaper stated. Born Frank Guzzo in New Orleans in 1939, Ford showed talent early on, winning local contests and appearing on “The Ted Mack Amateur Hour” at age 12. His first single, consisting of the songs “Cheatin’ Woman” and “The Last One to Cry,” was released in 1958, but it was “Sea Cruise,” released the following year, that launched him into the spotlight, hitting...
- 9/29/2015
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Frankie Ford, the rock 'n' roll singer and pianist who had a huge hit with "Sea Cruise" died Monday in his native Louisiana. The coroner says Ford died of natural causes at the age of 76 in his home in Gretna -- a New Orleans suburb. Mike Shepherd from the Louisiana music Hall of Fame says Ford had been confined to his bed over the summer while fighting an illness. Ford shot to fame with his...
- 9/29/2015
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Idol heads to Hollywood, where finally the attention shifts from the fireworks between judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey to the contestants competing to be the next American Idol. All the contestants collected from across the country, from the streets of New York City to the open roads of Oklahoma, are gathered in Hollywood hoping to make it far enough to sing on live television.
This year, Idol is shaking things up by dividing Hollywood Week by gender, and the boys get to go first. The first round is a solo a cappella,...
This year, Idol is shaking things up by dividing Hollywood Week by gender, and the boys get to go first. The first round is a solo a cappella,...
- 2/7/2013
- Rollingstone.com
Caution: Contains spoilers!
"It does feel a bit like The Hunger Games," said Keith Urban, ramping up the drama as American Idol kicked off the first day of Hollywood Week.
Although producers didn't unleash any tracker jackers on the contestants, they did throw in a couple unexpected twists: This season the week started off as a guys-only competition (the girls arrive in Hollywood next week), and after surviving a round of sudden death solo sing-offs, contestants would then be put into groups from which they couldn't escape.
During the solo round, the standouts included two memorable contestants from the nationwide auditions.
"It does feel a bit like The Hunger Games," said Keith Urban, ramping up the drama as American Idol kicked off the first day of Hollywood Week.
Although producers didn't unleash any tracker jackers on the contestants, they did throw in a couple unexpected twists: This season the week started off as a guys-only competition (the girls arrive in Hollywood next week), and after surviving a round of sudden death solo sing-offs, contestants would then be put into groups from which they couldn't escape.
During the solo round, the standouts included two memorable contestants from the nationwide auditions.
- 2/7/2013
- by Jamie Bufalino
- People.com - TV Watch
Caution: Contains spoilers! "It does feel a bit like The Hunger Games," said Keith Urban, ramping up the drama as American Idol kicked off the first day of Hollywood Week. Although producers didn't unleash any tracker jackers on the contestants, they did throw in a couple unexpected twists: This season the week started off as a guys-only competition (the girls arrive in Hollywood next week), and after surviving a round of sudden death solo sing-offs, contestants would then be put into groups from which they couldn't escape. During the solo round, the standouts included two memorable contestants from the nationwide auditions.
- 2/7/2013
- by Jamie Bufalino
- PEOPLE.com
It's Hollywood Week on "American Idol," which is always a fun part of the process. This time, however, it's split up men and women. Keith Urban compares it to "The Hunger Games" and ... he's not wrong. Though it would really spice things up if they were given weapons.
It's a long episode, here are some highlights:
The "sudden death" portion is kept blissfully short, flying by in a series of quick clips and a few people advancing/getting rejected. We move right on to the group round. This year, the groups are pre-determined, which is interesting. We don't know if it's that, or the lack of girls that keeps it so drama-free, but the men seem to get along really well (sorry to betray the sisterhood, ladies).The Math-heads is a stand out group on "Somebody to Love" -- tight harmonies, good solos. They all advance. Johnny Keyser, the guy of 1000 teeth,...
It's a long episode, here are some highlights:
The "sudden death" portion is kept blissfully short, flying by in a series of quick clips and a few people advancing/getting rejected. We move right on to the group round. This year, the groups are pre-determined, which is interesting. We don't know if it's that, or the lack of girls that keeps it so drama-free, but the men seem to get along really well (sorry to betray the sisterhood, ladies).The Math-heads is a stand out group on "Somebody to Love" -- tight harmonies, good solos. They all advance. Johnny Keyser, the guy of 1000 teeth,...
- 2/7/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
In the spirit of National Beyoncé Week — brought to you by the National Football League, the United States Congress, the Internet and the House of Dereon — I begin this American Idol recap with the bastardization of a famous lyric from the Artist Occasionally Known as Sasha Fierce:
“To the left, to the left. All the lady Idols in the holding pen to the left.”
Yes, folks, I’m still trying to sort out my feelings about one of the biggest changes to the show’s structure since my early days of recapping Fox’s reality behemoth — back when I identified with #TeamBo over #TeamCarrie.
“To the left, to the left. All the lady Idols in the holding pen to the left.”
Yes, folks, I’m still trying to sort out my feelings about one of the biggest changes to the show’s structure since my early days of recapping Fox’s reality behemoth — back when I identified with #TeamBo over #TeamCarrie.
- 2/7/2013
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
The stakes were high as American Idol contestants converged on Hollywood to see if they have what it takes to be the next winner, as Ryan promised this judging panel would be one of the toughest we've ever seen.
They'll whittle down and weed out those who don't make the grade and at the end. Who'll be left standing? Let's find out now...
In addition to shaking up the judging panel this year, American Idol producers have also shaken up the competition. Instead of bringing all the contestants to Hollywood at the same time, they've opted to separate this round.
That's right--the first edition of Hollywood week is guys only. No girls allowed. (Except Nicki and Mariah, of course.)
The first round of Hollywood Week is the sudden death a capella round. In addition to impressing the judges, their families are in the balcony watching. The pressure is high as they take the stage.
They'll whittle down and weed out those who don't make the grade and at the end. Who'll be left standing? Let's find out now...
In addition to shaking up the judging panel this year, American Idol producers have also shaken up the competition. Instead of bringing all the contestants to Hollywood at the same time, they've opted to separate this round.
That's right--the first edition of Hollywood week is guys only. No girls allowed. (Except Nicki and Mariah, of course.)
The first round of Hollywood Week is the sudden death a capella round. In addition to impressing the judges, their families are in the balcony watching. The pressure is high as they take the stage.
- 2/7/2013
- by miranda.wicker@gmail.com (Miranda Wicker)
- TVfanatic
The 12th season of American Idol opened not with Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey or Keith Urban, but with Phillip Phillips singing his triple-platinum hit, "Home." It was a not-so subtle reminder that Idol produces not only results but big, bankable stars, including Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson and, of course, Phillip Phillips, the pawn-shop worker who was swept to the heights of international superstardom by the hands of Idol voters. But only time and a seemingly endless stream of cover songs will tell if this season will produce a star of Phillip,...
- 1/17/2013
- Rollingstone.com
‘American Idol’ is back and in full swing. Get ready for a season of new judges, hidden talent — and a lot of tone deaf contestants. Sounds like fun, right, HollywoodLifers?
The twelfth season of American Idol kicked off Jan. 16, and with it came new judges Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, and the beginning of weeks worth of drama. I wonder if Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson know what they’re in for?
The two-night premiere started with my personal favorite part of the whole show: the auditions. Let’s take a look at the judges, America’s next stars and some people we’d rather forget.
Who Was Terrible
The auditions are all about separating the good from the bad — and there were plenty of ‘em in New York City.
Fifteen-year-old James Bae admitted he sings in his room in preparation for his sure-to-be filled concert halls. This Bielieber...
The twelfth season of American Idol kicked off Jan. 16, and with it came new judges Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, and the beginning of weeks worth of drama. I wonder if Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson know what they’re in for?
The two-night premiere started with my personal favorite part of the whole show: the auditions. Let’s take a look at the judges, America’s next stars and some people we’d rather forget.
Who Was Terrible
The auditions are all about separating the good from the bad — and there were plenty of ‘em in New York City.
Fifteen-year-old James Bae admitted he sings in his room in preparation for his sure-to-be filled concert halls. This Bielieber...
- 1/17/2013
- by Caitlin Miller
- HollywoodLife
American Idol is back! Season 12 premiered Wednesday night with the first auditions in New York City. And fans hoping to get a taste of drama from new judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj were not disappointed. "Right away we knew it was going to be an interesting couple of days," host Ryan Seacrest said at the start of the two-hour episode. And he was right. (Spoilers ahead!) While fellow newbie Keith Urban and veteran judge Randy Jackson were all about the business of finding talented singers, there was immediate tension between Carey and Minaj, who wore a drum major's hat...
- 1/17/2013
- PEOPLE.com
American Idol is back!
Season 12 premiered Wednesday night with the first auditions in New York City. And fans hoping to get a taste of drama from new judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj were not disappointed.
"Right away we knew it was going to be an interesting couple of days," host Ryan Seacrest said at the start of the two-hour episode.
And he was right. (Spoilers ahead!) While fellow newbie Keith Urban and veteran judge Randy Jackson were all about the business of finding talented singers, there was immediate tension between Carey and Minaj, who wore a drum major's hat...
Season 12 premiered Wednesday night with the first auditions in New York City. And fans hoping to get a taste of drama from new judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj were not disappointed.
"Right away we knew it was going to be an interesting couple of days," host Ryan Seacrest said at the start of the two-hour episode.
And he was right. (Spoilers ahead!) While fellow newbie Keith Urban and veteran judge Randy Jackson were all about the business of finding talented singers, there was immediate tension between Carey and Minaj, who wore a drum major's hat...
- 1/17/2013
- People.com - TV Watch
Randy. Keith. Mariah. Nikki. Mean Girls! American Idol is back!
Will our divas battle it out? How many times will we be reminded that Mariah has a 5 octave range? Are brooches once again Randy's chosen accessory? These questions and more will be answered as American Idol embarked upon its 12th season, starting with the New York City auditions.
First in to the audition room is Michael with a personalized rendition of Queen's "We Will Rock You." Except he doesn't rock and we start the night with a "No." But we do have some drama between our lady judges, so that took exactly 18 minutes.
Tenna's been a fan of Mariah since she was a kid, even attending Camp Mariah when she was 13. Singing Carole King's "You've Got a Friend," she gets an easy Golden Ticket with four yes votes.
In the midst of the Nikki-Mariah Diva-off, the judges have a productive morning.
Will our divas battle it out? How many times will we be reminded that Mariah has a 5 octave range? Are brooches once again Randy's chosen accessory? These questions and more will be answered as American Idol embarked upon its 12th season, starting with the New York City auditions.
First in to the audition room is Michael with a personalized rendition of Queen's "We Will Rock You." Except he doesn't rock and we start the night with a "No." But we do have some drama between our lady judges, so that took exactly 18 minutes.
Tenna's been a fan of Mariah since she was a kid, even attending Camp Mariah when she was 13. Singing Carole King's "You've Got a Friend," she gets an easy Golden Ticket with four yes votes.
In the midst of the Nikki-Mariah Diva-off, the judges have a productive morning.
- 1/17/2013
- by miranda.wicker@gmail.com (Miranda Wicker)
- TVfanatic
When Nicki Minaj’s eyebrow speaks, you’d better pay attention.
Sometimes it raises itself up — like a King Cobra — threatening to strike out at those who dare to disagree with its master. Other times it furrows comically, framing a sarcastic side-eye directed at the stream of divaness emanating from She Who Has Sold As Many Albums as Everyone Who’s Ever Come Off of Idol Combined*. (*At least that’s what Ryan Seacrest tells us.)
Occasionally, it softens, because it understands that just because a 15-year-old boy with no singing talent has the nerve to be Asian and wear...
Sometimes it raises itself up — like a King Cobra — threatening to strike out at those who dare to disagree with its master. Other times it furrows comically, framing a sarcastic side-eye directed at the stream of divaness emanating from She Who Has Sold As Many Albums as Everyone Who’s Ever Come Off of Idol Combined*. (*At least that’s what Ryan Seacrest tells us.)
Occasionally, it softens, because it understands that just because a 15-year-old boy with no singing talent has the nerve to be Asian and wear...
- 1/17/2013
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
Filmmaker Robert Mugge has, during the past 25 years, established himself as the cinema's foremost music documentarian, with a career that includes more than 20 features chronicling individual performers (Al Green, Sun Ra, Ruben Blades) and various musical styles (blues, reggae, bluegrass, etc.). His latest effort, "Rhythm 'n' Bayous", receiving its U.S. theatrical premiere at the Screening Room in New York, is an entertaining portrait of the music scene in Louisiana and a valuable addition to an ouevre that has become the cinematic equivalent of the work of important ethnomusicologists like Alan Lomax.
The film apparently began as a chronicle of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bus tour through New Orleans and southwestern Louis-iana. But the restless filmmaker abandoned his initial mission and instead went on a far-ranging journey throughout the state, recording more than two dozen roots music performances in nightclubs, concert halls and churches, spotlighting such genres as Cajun, blues, rock, gospel, zydeco and something referred to as "swamp pop." Although some of the performers might be familiar -- Dale Hawkins ("Susie Q"), Frankie Ford -- it's safe to say that the vast majority on display here will be unknown to general audiences. Historical and musical context is provided via comments by a variety of experts and fans.
Mugge's low-budget style --the film was shot in 16mm -- is not particularly distinctive, and on purely cinematic terms, "Rhy-thm" is lacking in more than a few respects. But there's no denying his deep interest and passion for his subject, and the film serves a valuable function in recording for posterity the work of little-known but wonderful musicians and exposing them to audiences not inclined to wander through the back roads of Louisiana. Among the musical highlights are the Easter Rock Church choir's mournful performance of "When the Saints Go Marching In", pianist Henry Butler's powerful rendition of "Deep River" and a number by the Hackenberry Ramblers, the world's longest-lasting music group, who have been performing together since 1933.
RHYTHM 'N' BAYOUS
Cowboy Booking International
Director-producer-editor: Robert Mugge
Co-producer: Tim Healey
Executive producer: : Denise Gutnisky
Director of photography: David Sperling
Color/stereo
Running time -- 107 minutes
No MPAA rating...
The film apparently began as a chronicle of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bus tour through New Orleans and southwestern Louis-iana. But the restless filmmaker abandoned his initial mission and instead went on a far-ranging journey throughout the state, recording more than two dozen roots music performances in nightclubs, concert halls and churches, spotlighting such genres as Cajun, blues, rock, gospel, zydeco and something referred to as "swamp pop." Although some of the performers might be familiar -- Dale Hawkins ("Susie Q"), Frankie Ford -- it's safe to say that the vast majority on display here will be unknown to general audiences. Historical and musical context is provided via comments by a variety of experts and fans.
Mugge's low-budget style --the film was shot in 16mm -- is not particularly distinctive, and on purely cinematic terms, "Rhy-thm" is lacking in more than a few respects. But there's no denying his deep interest and passion for his subject, and the film serves a valuable function in recording for posterity the work of little-known but wonderful musicians and exposing them to audiences not inclined to wander through the back roads of Louisiana. Among the musical highlights are the Easter Rock Church choir's mournful performance of "When the Saints Go Marching In", pianist Henry Butler's powerful rendition of "Deep River" and a number by the Hackenberry Ramblers, the world's longest-lasting music group, who have been performing together since 1933.
RHYTHM 'N' BAYOUS
Cowboy Booking International
Director-producer-editor: Robert Mugge
Co-producer: Tim Healey
Executive producer: : Denise Gutnisky
Director of photography: David Sperling
Color/stereo
Running time -- 107 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Filmmaker Robert Mugge has, during the past 25 years, established himself as the cinema's foremost music documentarian, with a career that includes more than 20 features chronicling individual performers (Al Green, Sun Ra, Ruben Blades) and various musical styles (blues, reggae, bluegrass, etc.). His latest effort, "Rhythm 'n' Bayous", receiving its U.S. theatrical premiere at the Screening Room in New York, is an entertaining portrait of the music scene in Louisiana and a valuable addition to an ouevre that has become the cinematic equivalent of the work of important ethnomusicologists like Alan Lomax.
The film apparently began as a chronicle of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bus tour through New Orleans and southwestern Louis-iana. But the restless filmmaker abandoned his initial mission and instead went on a far-ranging journey throughout the state, recording more than two dozen roots music performances in nightclubs, concert halls and churches, spotlighting such genres as Cajun, blues, rock, gospel, zydeco and something referred to as "swamp pop." Although some of the performers might be familiar -- Dale Hawkins ("Susie Q"), Frankie Ford -- it's safe to say that the vast majority on display here will be unknown to general audiences. Historical and musical context is provided via comments by a variety of experts and fans.
Mugge's low-budget style --the film was shot in 16mm -- is not particularly distinctive, and on purely cinematic terms, "Rhy-thm" is lacking in more than a few respects. But there's no denying his deep interest and passion for his subject, and the film serves a valuable function in recording for posterity the work of little-known but wonderful musicians and exposing them to audiences not inclined to wander through the back roads of Louisiana. Among the musical highlights are the Easter Rock Church choir's mournful performance of "When the Saints Go Marching In", pianist Henry Butler's powerful rendition of "Deep River" and a number by the Hackenberry Ramblers, the world's longest-lasting music group, who have been performing together since 1933.
RHYTHM 'N' BAYOUS
Cowboy Booking International
Director-producer-editor: Robert Mugge
Co-producer: Tim Healey
Executive producer: : Denise Gutnisky
Director of photography: David Sperling
Color/stereo
Running time -- 107 minutes
No MPAA rating...
The film apparently began as a chronicle of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bus tour through New Orleans and southwestern Louis-iana. But the restless filmmaker abandoned his initial mission and instead went on a far-ranging journey throughout the state, recording more than two dozen roots music performances in nightclubs, concert halls and churches, spotlighting such genres as Cajun, blues, rock, gospel, zydeco and something referred to as "swamp pop." Although some of the performers might be familiar -- Dale Hawkins ("Susie Q"), Frankie Ford -- it's safe to say that the vast majority on display here will be unknown to general audiences. Historical and musical context is provided via comments by a variety of experts and fans.
Mugge's low-budget style --the film was shot in 16mm -- is not particularly distinctive, and on purely cinematic terms, "Rhy-thm" is lacking in more than a few respects. But there's no denying his deep interest and passion for his subject, and the film serves a valuable function in recording for posterity the work of little-known but wonderful musicians and exposing them to audiences not inclined to wander through the back roads of Louisiana. Among the musical highlights are the Easter Rock Church choir's mournful performance of "When the Saints Go Marching In", pianist Henry Butler's powerful rendition of "Deep River" and a number by the Hackenberry Ramblers, the world's longest-lasting music group, who have been performing together since 1933.
RHYTHM 'N' BAYOUS
Cowboy Booking International
Director-producer-editor: Robert Mugge
Co-producer: Tim Healey
Executive producer: : Denise Gutnisky
Director of photography: David Sperling
Color/stereo
Running time -- 107 minutes
No MPAA rating...
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