The First Time with Dr John

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The First Time With...: Dr John

Dr John

BBC Radio 6 Music - The First Time With..., Dr John

The late Dr. John shares his milestones with Matt Everitt.

The late Dr. John shares his milestones with Matt Everitt. First broadcast in 2014.

The First Time with the late Dr. John. The influential New Orleans-born singer and songwriter shares the musical milestones of his life, first broadcast in 2014.

Known as Dr. Creaux, the Night Tripper, among other aliases, the man born Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr in 1941 is best known by the stage name Dr. John and was one of the more remarkable musicians to emerge from America. He provided a link between the rich musical heritage of his beloved New Orleans and the counterculture of the 60s.

As a child he sneaked into recording sessions by the likes of Little Richard at the New Orleans studio where his father worked. He became a leading figure in the 50s New Orleans R&B scene, first as a guitarist then (after one of his fingers was shot off during a fight) a pianist. He played on classic recordings by Professor Longhair, Frankie Ford and Joe Tex.

Mac also recalls how he developed as a songwriter with his 1968 album Gris Gris, a record steeped in the sound of New Orleans and blended with voodoo imagery and psychedelic sonics, which defined his unique sound and mysterious image that partly concealed his personal warmth and charm. He also discusses his work with Sonny and Cher, Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin and playing on the Rolling Stones' Exile On Main St., as well as featuring in the Band's classic film The Last Waltz.

Dr. John also looks back on his breakthrough 1973 hit In the Right Place, working with Spiritualized and his acclaimed album Locked Down, recorded with the Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys.

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