R&B and blues singer, song writer, bandleader, master of ceremonies, company chairman and female impersonator Oscar James Gibson (Bobby Marchan), a stalwart of the New Orleans music and drag scenes for 50 years, was born in Youngstown, Ohio on 30 April 1930. He was also known as Bobby Fields.
In his teens he was fascinated by blues music and female impersonators, and he formed a performing drag troupe called the Powder Box Revue, who became regulars at the Dew Drop Inn and The Club Tijuana.
He made his first recording, "Have Mercy" with Cosimo Matassa in 1954. He recorded for Dot Records then was signed to Ace Records (who thought he was female). In 1957 he joined Huey Piano Smith and The Clowns, performing on engagements while Huey stayed in New Orleans recording while his band toured without him. He sings on "Don't You Just Know It" and other tracks.
He left the Clowns in 1959, signing with Bobby Robinson for his Fire label. "There is something on your mind" became his biggest solo hit. He was signed to Stax' Volt subsidiary in 1963, at Otis Redding's recommendation. He recorded for a succession of labels with some success but by 1970 was a full time MC and female impersonator in New Orleans, becoming a regular at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
His final recording was in 1987 recording for former Stax executive Al Bell. In the 1980s he set up a company called Manicure which promoted hip hop music.
Bobby Marchan died in Gretna, Louisiana, on 5 December 1999, from cancer of the liver, age 69.
Image: New Orleans Verité: dated 1996.
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