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The late Dr. John shares his milestones with Matt Everitt. First broadcast in 2014.

The First Time with the late Dr. John. The influential New Orleans-born singer and songwriter shares the musical milestones of his life, first broadcast in 2014.

Known as Dr. Creaux, the Night Tripper, among other aliases, the man born Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr in 1941 is best known by the stage name Dr. John and was one of the more remarkable musicians to emerge from America. He provided a link between the rich musical heritage of his beloved New Orleans and the counterculture of the 60s.

As a child he sneaked into recording sessions by the likes of Little Richard at the New Orleans studio where his father worked. He became a leading figure in the 50s New Orleans R&B scene, first as a guitarist then (after one of his fingers was shot off during a fight) a pianist. He played on classic recordings by Professor Longhair, Frankie Ford and Joe Tex.

Mac also recalls how he developed as a songwriter with his 1968 album Gris Gris, a record steeped in the sound of New Orleans and blended with voodoo imagery and psychedelic sonics, which defined his unique sound and mysterious image that partly concealed his personal warmth and charm. He also discusses his work with Sonny and Cher, Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin and playing on the Rolling Stones' Exile On Main St., as well as featuring in the Band's classic film The Last Waltz.

Dr. John also looks back on his breakthrough 1973 hit In the Right Place, working with Spiritualized and his acclaimed album Locked Down, recorded with the Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys.

1 hour

Last on

Wed 6 Dec 2023 01:00

Music Played

  • Dr. John

    Iko Iko

    • INTRODUCING DR JOHN.
    • RHINO.
    • 8122741322.
  • Dr. John

    Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya

    • The Night Tripper.
    • WEA.
    • ATCO-7567804372.
  • Big Joe Turner

    Piney Brown Blues

    • The Boss Of The Blues.
    • Atlantic.
    • 781-459-2.
  • Herb Hardesty & His Band

    Why Did We Have To Part

    • The Domino Effect.
    • Ace.
    • CDTOP 1333.
  • Louis Armstrong

    BLUEBERRY HILL

    • LOUIS ARMSTRONG AT HIS VERY BEST.
    • UNIVERSAL CLASSICS & JAZZ.
    • UCJ-9812425.
  • Little Richard

    SLIPPIN AND SLIDIN

    • 22 GREATEST HITS.
    • MERCURY.
    • 830 834-2.
  • Roy Montrell

    Ooh Wow

    • The Cosimo Matassa Story.
    • Proper.
    • 12-9.
  • Mac Rebennack

    STORM WARNING

    • THE DR JOHN ANTHOLOGY - MOS SCOCIOUS.
    • RHINO.
    • 8122-71450-2.
  • Dr. John

    Right Place Wrong Time

    • IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
    • Atco/Rhino.
    • 81227983-6.
  • Dr. John

    I WALK ON GUILDED SPLINTERS

    • GRIS GRIS.
    • ACTO.
    • 7567 80437-2.
  • Dr John n

    Such A Night

    • Dr. John - In The Right Place.
    • Atco.
    • 7018-2.
  • Spiritualized

    Cop Shoot Cop

    • LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE ARE FLOATING IN SPACE.
    • BMG.
    • DEDCD-0304.
  • Dr. John

    Locked Down

    • Locked Down.
    • Nonesuch.
    • 530395.2.
  • Dr. John

    Glowin'

    • Babylon.
    • Warner Music UK Limited.
    • USAT20110467.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 27 Jul 2014 13:00
  • Christmas Day 2016 19:00
  • Mon 22 Jan 2018 04:00
  • Sat 8 Jun 2019 04:00
  • Christmas Day 2019 21:00
  • Tue 26 May 2020 01:00
  • Thu 12 Aug 2021 02:00
  • Wed 24 Nov 2021 02:00
  • Thu 14 Jul 2022 02:00
  • Thu 3 Aug 2023 02:00
  • Wed 6 Dec 2023 01:00

The first record I ever bought… by Noel Gallagher, Janelle Monae, Florence Welch, Thom Yorke, Elton John and many more

A selection of major artists reveal their first musical purchase.

Podcast