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alvin robinson

Biography

Alvin "Shine" Robinson (December 22, 1937 – January 25, 1989) was an American rhythm and blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Born in the heart of the city's vibrant music scene, Robinson established himself as a session musician by the late 1950s, contributing his talents to numerous recordings. His career gained momentum in the early 1960s when he caught the attention of Joe Jones, a successful recording artist who became his manager and secured him a recording contract with Tiger Records, a New York-based label owned by legendary songwriters and producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Robinson achieved his most notable commercial success in 1964 with a recording of Chris Kenner's "Something You Got," which reached number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, showcasing his distinctive "fantastically bluesy growl."[1]

Throughout the mid-to-late 1960s, Robinson recorded prolifically across multiple labels including Red Bird Records, Blue Cat Records, and Atco Records, establishing himself as a versatile artist and accomplished session guitarist. His 1964 recording of "Down Home Girl," written by Leiber and Stoller, became critically acclaimed and was later famously covered by The Rolling Stones on their 1965 album The Rolling Stones No. 2.[1] Robinson's version of "Let The Good Times Roll" inspired covers by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Dr. John. Beyond his solo work, Robinson became deeply involved in the New Orleans music community, collaborating extensively with Dr. John and appearing as a guitarist on several of his albums including Babylon, Dr. John's Gumbo, and Hollywood Be Thy Name.[1] He also contributed to recordings by notable artists including Carly Simon, Ringo Starr, and Tom Waits. Despite his considerable talent and prolific output, Robinson never achieved sustained mainstream success, remaining largely underappreciated during his lifetime. He returned to New Orleans in his later years and passed away in 1989 at the age of 51, leaving behind a legacy as one of the finest but most overlooked voices in New Orleans rhythm and blues.[1]

Fun Facts

  • Robinson earned the nickname "Shine" early in his career, by which he was frequently credited alongside his full name Alvin Robinson.
  • His recording of "Down Home Girl" was regarded by legendary producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller as the best record ever issued on their Red Bird Records label, despite its commercial failure at the time.
  • Robinson contributed as a session guitarist to albums by major artists across different genres, including soul legend Carly Simon's Playing Possum, rock icon Ringo Starr's Goodnight Vienna, and avant-garde musician Tom Waits' Blue Valentine.
  • Robinson's version of "Let The Good Times Roll" inspired covers by three legendary guitarists—Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Dr. John—demonstrating the enduring quality of his arrangement and interpretation.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

  • Joe Jones - Manager and career mentor who secured Robinson's recording contracts and arranged his work with Leiber and Stoller (Management and career guidance) [1963 onwards]
  • Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller - Legendary songwriters and producers who signed Robinson to Tiger Records and Red Bird Records, producing and writing songs for him ("Down Home Girl" (produced and co-written), Tiger Records and Red Bird Records releases) [1964-1965]
  • Ray Charles - Musical influence evident in Robinson's early recordings and stylistic approach (Influenced Robinson's vocal and performance style) [1960s]

Key Collaborators

  • Dr. John - Frequent collaborator and bandmate; Robinson appeared as guitarist on multiple Dr. John albums and co-wrote several tracks (Babylon, Dr. John's Gumbo, Hollywood Be Thy Name) [1960s-1970s]
  • Wardell Quezergue - Arranger who worked with Robinson on reshaped versions of his songs (Arrangement of "Let The Good Times Roll") [1960s]
  • Harold Battiste - Label owner and collaborator; Robinson recorded for Battiste's A.F.O. and Pulsar labels (A.F.O. and Pulsar Records releases) [1960s]
  • King Curtis - Songwriter and collaborator; wrote "Let Me Down Easy" which Robinson recorded ("Let Me Down Easy" (1967, Atco Records)) [1967]

Artists Influenced

  • The Rolling Stones - Covered Robinson's "Down Home Girl" on their 1965 album, bringing his composition to international audiences ("Down Home Girl" on The Rolling Stones No. 2) [1965]
  • Jimi Hendrix - Inspired by Robinson's version of "Let The Good Times Roll" and recorded his own cover ("Let The Good Times Roll" cover) [1960s]
  • Stevie Ray Vaughan - Covered Robinson's arrangement of "Let The Good Times Roll," which inspired his interpretation ("Let The Good Times Roll" cover) [1980s]
  • Dr. John - Covered Robinson's "Let The Good Times Roll" on his 1972 album ("Let The Good Times Roll" on Dr. John's Gumbo) [1972]

Connection Network

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Discography

Top Tracks

  1. Down Home Girl (I Wanna Love Him So Bad: '60s Pop Hits & Rarities)
  2. Tuned in, Turned On (Gumbo Stew)
  3. Let The Good Times Roll (I Wanna Love Him So Bad: '60s Pop Hits & Rarities)
  4. Something You Got (I Wanna Love Him So Bad: '60s Pop Hits & Rarities)
  5. Down Home Girl - Original (Alvin Robinson's Fever)
  6. Fever (I Wanna Love Him So Bad: '60s Pop Hits & Rarities)
  7. Let The Good Times Roll - Original (The Red Bird Story CD 1)
  8. Fever - Original (Alvin Robinson's Fever)
  9. Empty Talk (Gumbo Stew)
  10. Better Be Cool (More Gumbo Stew)

Heard on WWOZ

alvin robinson has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.

DateTimeTitleShowSpotify
Nov 26, 202514:16gonna put some hurt on youfrom soulSittin' at the Crossroadw/ Big D
Nov 15, 202516:08make it fast, make it slowfrom make it fast, make it slowWorld Journeyw/ Logan