Jessie Hill
Jessie Hill | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | December 9, 1932
Died | September 17, 1996 New Orleans, Louisiana | (aged 63)
Genres | R&B Louisiana blues |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Years active | 1951–1996 |
Labels |
|
Jessie Hill (December 9, 1932 – September 17, 1996)[1] was an American R&B and Louisiana blues[2] singer and songwriter, best remembered for the classic song "Ooh Poo Pah Doo".[1][3]
Life and career
Hill was born in
The origins of "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" were apparently created from a tune played by a local pianist, who was known only as Big Four. Hill wrote the lyrics and melody, later expanding the work with an intro taken from Dave Bartholomew. It was further honed on stage, before Hill recorded a demo that he shopped to local record labels, finally recording a session at Cosimo Matassa's studio produced by Allen Toussaint.
Upon its 1960 release on
His follow-up "Whip It On Me" reached #91 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960.
A 1972 solo album was unsuccessful, and he began to suffer financial difficulties exacerbated by a drinking problem. These problems continued after his return to New Orleans in 1977, and several benefit gigs did little to revive his personal or professional fortunes.[1]
Death and legacy
Hill died of
Two of his grandsons are James Andrews (musician) and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews. The pair performed "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" in Episode 7 of the HBO series Treme.[7] A third grandson, Travis "Trumpet Black" Hill, was a rising New Orleans-based performer who died from an infection while on tour in Tokyo on May 4, 2015.[8]
Discography
Singles
Year | Title | Peak chart positions |
Record Label |
Album | B-side | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Pop |
US R&B | |||||
1960 | "Ooh Poo Pah Doo Part 1" | 28 | 3 | Minit | "Ooh Poo Pah Doo Part 2" | |
"Whip It on Me" | 91 | — | "I Need Your Love" | |||
"Scoop Scoobie Doobie" | — | — | "Highhead Blues" | |||
1961 | "I Got Mine" | — | — | "Oh Me Oh My" | ||
"My Love" | — | — | "Oogsey Moo" | |||
"It's My Fault" | — | — | "Sweet Jelly Roll" | |||
1962 | "Can’t Get Enough (Of That Ooh Poo Pah Doo)" | — | — | "The Pot's on a Strike" | ||
1964 | "Chip Chop (My Fair Lady)" | — | — | Downey | "Woodshed" | |
"Understanding" | — | — | "Down the Street" | |||
1965 | "I'm Telling You People" | — | — | Kerwood | "If I Am Lucky" | |
1967 | "My Children, My Children" | — | — | Chess | "Something Ought to Be Done (About You)" | |
1969 | "Free and Easy" | — | — | "Mardi Gras" | ||
1971 | "Naturally" | — | — | Blue Thumb | Naturally | "Livin’ a Lie" |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Biography by Jason Ankeny". Allmusic.com. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
- ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
- Times-Picayune. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ a b "Jessie Hill Chart History". Billboard.
- ^ a b c Jeff Hannusch (1 February 2002). "Masters Of Louisiana Music: Jessie Hill". OffBeat magazine website. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- Times Picayune. 24 September 1996. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ "'Treme,' Episode 7: Civil Dysfunction Meets Civil Disobedience". NPR.org. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ "Travis 'Trumpet Black' Hill, rising New Orleans trumpeter, has died at 28". NOLA.com. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.