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BOBBY MARCHAN +
BIOGRAPHY
One of New Orleans' most colorful
rhythm and blues artists, died Dec. 5, 1999 after a lengthy
illness. Mr. Marchan, whose given name was Oscar James Gibson,
was 69 years old.
Mr. Marchan's biggest hit, "There Is Something on Your Mind,"
was a No. 1 rhythm and blues single in 1960. As a member of
Huey Smith & Clowns, he sang on the hits "Don't
You Just Know It," "You Don't Know Yockomo," and
"Havin' A Good Time."
"Bobby was just a character -- he would do anything,"
said singer Frankie Ford, who imitated Mr. Marchan's vocal style
early in his own career and scored a hit with the Huey Smith song
"Sea Cruise."
"I learned from him. He
always looked like he was having fun, like Fats Domino and
Frogman Henry."
Mr. Marchan was born in Youngstown, Ohio (April 30, 1930), where
as an adolescent he became fascinated by female impersonators who
performed in local theaters. He began appearing in drag as a
comedian and singer. In 1953, Mr. Marchan organized a troupe of
female impersonators called "The Powder Box Revue" that
was booked at New Orleans' Dew Drop Inn for several weeks.
Finding the city's relaxed
temperament to his liking, not to mention the ample opportunities
to work as an entertainer, Marchan relocated, renting a room
above the Dew Drop.
In 1954, Marchan became the master of ceremonies at Club Tijuana,
where he was discovered by Aladdin Records' Eddie Mesner, who was
impressed by Marchan's sophisticated blues style. He later
recorded for Dot before beginning a long and successful
association with Ace Records.
"I was working at the Club Tijuana in 1956, when Huey Smith
brought in (Ace Records') Johnny Vincent," Marchan said in
1998.
"I was a singer, emcee and
female impersonator. (Vincent) thought I was a woman. "Johnny
said he liked my singing and wanted to record me. He gave me $200
and I signed his contract. A couple of days later we got to
Cosimo Matassa's (studio) and Johnny still thought I was a
woman because I was dressed in drag. Huey and
everybody else was cracking up because Johnny was treating me and
talking to me like I was a woman. Finally, Huey told Johnny I was
a man and he just about fell on the floor from a heart attack."
Mr. Marchan's first taste of success was in 1956 with the release
of "Chickee Wah-Wah," which was a regional hit. He
and Smith joined forces in 1957 to form The Clowns. As Huey
"Piano" Smith & Clowns, they recorded some of
New Orleans' most memorable rock and roll.
"I was the group's boss," Mr. Marchan said. "When
we first went on the road, Huey went with us, but after a few
months he stayed home and concentrated on writing and doing
sessions. I hired (pianist) James Booker to take his place
because he sounded like Huey."
After Mr. Marchan left Ace and The Clowns, he went back on the
road as a female impersonator. Eventually he contacted Fire
Records' Bobby Robinson about recording the Big Jay McNeely song
"There Is Something on Your Mind." Mr.
Marchan's version hit No. 1 on the R&B charts. Mr.
Marchan continued to cut R&B records for Fire, but they didn't
chart.
In 1963, Otis Redding recommended him to Jim Stewart at Stax/Volt
and Mr. Marchan began making the transition to contemporary soul.
He later cut the original version of "Get Down With It,"
a hit for the British glam-rockers Slade in the 1970's.
By the mid-1970s, Mr. Marchan was living in Pensacola, Fla., and
barnstorming the South again as a female impersonator-bandleader.
In 1977, he returned to New Orleans as emcee at Prout's Club
Alhambra.
In the 1980's, Mr. Marchan began appearing annually at the New
Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and presenting gong shows at
local clubs. A bout with cancer and the removal of a kidney
in the early 1990's cut down his performing, but he remained
active in the music business. He started Manicure Productions, a
company that scouted, promoted and booked hip-hop acts, and was
also a key figure in the formation and success of Cash Money
Records.
Mr. Marchan's last public appearance was at the 1999 Essence
Music Festival.
STAX DISCOGRAPHY
Singles
Volt 108 : What Can I
Do Pt. I / What Can I Do Pt. II
Volt 113 : You Won't Do Right / That's The Way That It Goes
CDS
Don't Worry
About Tomorrow (Ace 042) ; Wee Little Bit (Just A Little Bit) (Ace
102) ; Just To Hold Your Hand (Ace 107).
Volt tracks : Just To Hold My Hand (previously unissued)/You Won't Do Right/What Can I Do (Pt 1)/What Can I Do (Pt 2) (previously unissued on CD)/ That's The Way It Goes/Just A Little Bit (previously unissued)/Too Late For Our Love (prevously unissued)/Don't Worry About Tomorrow (previously unissued.
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