Dr. John

Dr. John is the stage name of Malcolm John Rebennack, a New Orleans-born singer, pianist, guitarist and songwriter. Born in 1941 and active from the 1950s, he dies in 2019. His work draws on blues, boogie woogie, rock and roll, New Orleans rhythm and blues, funk, jazz, soul and blues rock, and he is identified as a New Orleans blues pianist, singer and songwriter.

Career

Rebennack begins his professional career as a session musician in New Orleans in the 1950s. He also plays guitar early on, is often known as Mac Rebennack, then switches to bass and later to piano after an injury to his index finger. From the 1960s he develops his own distinctive style, and in the late 1960s and early 1970s he gains wider recognition with music that combines New Orleans rhythm and blues with psychedelic rock and theatrical stage presentation.

He is sometimes billed as Dr. John, The Night Tripper, and also uses the names Dr. John Creaux and Mac Rebennack. The name Dr. John comes from a legendary Louisiana voodoo practitioner from the early 19th century. He is associated with Professor Longhair as part of the New Orleans tradition.

Recordings and songs

He is best known for the song “Right Place, Wrong Time”, which becomes an international hit in 1973 and is later reissued and used in soundtracks. He also performs vocals for the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits “Luv dat chicken...” jingle and sings “My Opinionation”, the theme song for the television sitcom Blossom. In the Disney film The Princess and the Frog, he sings the opening number, “Down in New Orleans”.

His film appearances include Martin Scorsese’s documentary The Last Waltz, where he joins The Band for “Such a Night”, and Blues Brothers 2000, where he appears with The Louisiana Gator Boys on “New Orleans”.

Awards and recognition

Dr. John wins six Grammy Awards and is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by John Legend in 2011. He is also inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2008.

Associated acts

He is associated with The Louisiana Gator Boys, Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band, Ronnie & Delinquents, Morgus and the Ghouls, Dr. John and The Nite Trippers, Bloomfield, Hammond, Dr.John, Dr. John and the Lower 911 and The RCO All-Stars. His label affiliation includes Joharv.