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Mac Rebennack

 

 

Singer, song writer and pianist Malcolm John Rebennack Junior (Dr. John) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 20 November 1941. A session musician from 1951 to his death, and a friend of many music industry people including Jerry Wexler, his 1968 album Gris Gris brought him a wider audience and acclaim. His family were musically inclined and his father, who had a record shop and radio repair business, introduced him to blues and jazz music. He became a regular session musician at various New Orleans studios at the age of 16. His first successful composition was the rock and roll song "Lights Out" recorded by Jerry Byrne (1957).

There was another side to Rebennack, he ran a brothel and was involved in drugs. He was arrested on drug charges and spent two years in prison in the 1960s. He was addicted to Heroin but in 1989 cleaned up with the help of Narcotics Anonymous and remained clean for thirty years until he died.

He died of a heart attack on 6 June, 2019.

Image: Daily Telegraph

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