Biography
Joseph Amos Milburn, born on April 1, 1927, in Houston, Texas, as one of thirteen children, displayed prodigious piano talent from age five, teaching himself tunes like 'Jingle Bells' after his family rented a piano and advancing by imitating juke joint music despite formal lessons.[1][2][3] At fifteen, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, serving in the Pacific Theater where he earned thirteen battle stars and entertained troops before returning to Houston post-World War II to form a 16-piece band playing in local clubs.[1][2][3][4] In 1946, local fan Lola Cullum helped him record 'After Midnight,' securing a deal with Aladdin Records in Los Angeles, launching an eight-year partnership yielding over 75 sides amid the Central Avenue scene.[1][2][3]
Milburn's career peaked in the late 1940s and early 1950s with jump blues hits like 'Chicken Shack Boogie,' 'Bad, Bad Whiskey' (a 1950 R&B #1 sparking drinking-themed songs penned by Rudy Toombs), 'One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer,' and 'Let's Have a Party,' often arranged by saxophonist Maxwell Davis; his boogie-woogie piano, upbeat romps with humor and double entendres earned him Billboard R&B artist honors and Down Beat awards.[1][2][3] Transitioning from jazz to louder rhythm-driven styles, he toured extensively as a one-nighter staple before reforming his band in Houston in 1956; later Aladdin releases flopped amid label woes, and attempts with Ace, King, and a rare 1962 Motown remake album failed to revive his commercial success as rock shifted to teen markets.[1][2][3][4]
Suffering strokes from the late 1950s—leading to a leg amputation—Milburn's career waned; his final recording was on a 1972 Johnny Otis album where Otis played left-hand parts for the incapacitated pianist; he died in Houston on January 3, 1980, at age 52 from a third stroke, leaving a legacy as a post-WWII blues pioneer bridging to rock 'n' roll.[1][3][4]
Fun Facts
- Milburn taught himself 'Jingle Bells' in less than a day at age five on a rented family piano, then advanced by eavesdropping on tavern and juke joint pianists.[1][3]
- Despite hits like 'Bad, Bad Whiskey' launching a string of boozy anthems, there is no evidence Milburn had a personal drinking problem.[1][2][4]
- He earned thirteen combat stars in the Navy at fifteen (lying about his age) while entertaining troops with piano in the Philippines.[2][3][4]
- His 1962 Motown album of hit remakes featured a young Stevie Wonder on harmonica, though it remains extremely rare today.[2]
Associated Acts
- Amos Milburn and His Aladdin Chickenshackers
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Lola Cullum - Local fan and key supporter who provided piano access, recorded his demo, and secured Aladdin Records deal ('After Midnight' demo (1946)) [1946]
Key Collaborators
- Maxwell Davis - Saxophonist, arranger, soloist, and producer on numerous hits ('Chicken Shack Boogie,' 'Bad Bad Whiskey,' 'One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer,' and seven other Top 10s) [1946-1954]
- Rudy Toombs - Songwriter for many drinking-themed hits ('Bad, Bad Whiskey,' 'Good Good Whiskey,' 'Vicious Vicious Vodka,' 'Let Me Go Home, Whiskey') [1950s]
- Johnny Otis - Collaborator on final recording session (1972 album (Otis played left-hand piano parts post-Milburn's stroke)) [1972]
Artists Influenced
- Fats Domino - Prime disciple who consistently credited Milburn's influence on his music (General stylistic influence on Domino's piano and songs) [1950s onward]
- Little Willie Littlefield - Admired Milburn's energetic 'high' songs (N/A) [1940s-1950s]
- Floyd Dixon - Admired Milburn's energetic 'high' songs (N/A) [1940s-1950s]
- Little Richard - Influenced by Milburn's rocking boogie-woogie piano style (N/A) [1950s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Rockin The Boogie | 1952-01-01 | Album |
| Let's Have A Party | 1957-01-01 | Album |
| Bad, Bad Whiskey | 1945-12-18 | Album |
| Jukebox Hits | 2008-09-29 | Album |
| Let's Have A Party! (The Aladdin Recordings) | 2007-01-01 | Album |
| Million Sellers | 1962-01-01 | Album |
| 1952-1953 | 2005 | Album |
| Rhythm and Blues | 1970 | Album |
| I Love You Anyway | 1951-12-18 | Album |
| One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer | 2021-07-01 | Album |
| The King of Rhythm & Blues (Remastered) | 2020-04-17 | Album |
| Baby, Baby All the Time | 2015-06-08 | Album |
| The Greatest Rhythm & Booze Collection | 2009-01-01 | Album |
| In the 1950s: Let's Have a Party! | 2007-10-07 | Album |
| 1950-1951 | 2004 | Album |
Top Tracks
- One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer
- Milk And Water
- One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer (Bad, Bad Whiskey)
- One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer (Let's Have A Party)
- Chicken Shack Boogie (Rockin The Boogie)
- Bad Bad Whiskey (Million Sellers)
- Atomic Baby
- Down The Road Apiece (Rockin The Boogie)
- Down The Road Apiece
- Thinking And Drinking (Jukebox Hits)
External Links
Tags: #boogie-woogie, #jump-blues, #piano-blues
References
Heard on WWOZ
AMOS MILBURN has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 22, 2025 | 15:21 | LET'S MAKE CHRISTMAS MERRY, BABYfrom JUST ONE MORE DRINK | Blues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe |