I will say this about Dr. John. He was my favorite vocalist from New Orleans. And I marveled at what he did with a voice that wasn’t even the 100th strongest voice in the city on any given day. That’s a compliment. He sold the Night Tripper, he sold himself, he sold those songs.
Unless you can sing like Stephanie Walbon, vocalists, let the Doctor give you a lesson and some medicine.
Mack Rebenack was not always Dr. John, the reincarnation of the voodoo priest.
He was the top session guitar player around town till he got shot in a situation no one has fully explained. But let’s just say he wasn’t so far from the man he played on stage.
And I will say that on May 10th when I rehearsed with members of his bands and they insinuated that it was time to say their goodbyes, I didn’t say sh☆t to nobody because I ain’t no b☆tch.
I was just in awe of the chance to be in the very center of something so golden and so pure as the circle of young musicians and the Godfather that formed his final smokin’ ass band.
I was aware he quietly retired. I didn’t say nuthin’. The man deserves the respect of the ages, and New Orleans has lost another great.
Who shall step in his shoes? We have to wait.
– Musician and writer Davin Michael Stedman has many ventures, such as the AMAZING blog, 100milesofmusic.com. Davin’s new song has become a global earworm and Caribbean dancehall hit. Listen here on Reggaeville: DAVIN MICHAEL STEDMAN & ANTHONY RED ROSE – FREE YOUR MIND FEAT. SLY & ROBBIE WITH LENKY MARSDEN. The video is now available on Youtube: Tuff Gong Television. His single with British band Sherlock Soul is available here.
