BOBBY MARCHAN

Biography

Bobby Marchan, born Oscar James Gibson on April 30, 1930, in Youngstown, Ohio, developed an early fascination with blues music and female impersonation during his adolescence. By his late teens, he formed and led the drag revue Powder Box Revue, performing in theaters before bringing the troupe to New Orleans in 1953, where he emceed and sang at clubs like the Dew Drop Inn and Club Tijuana. His recording career began in 1953-1954 with 'Have Mercy' for Aladdin Records, produced by Cosimo Matassa, followed by singles on Dot and Ace, including the regional hit 'Chickee Wah-Wah' in 1956-1957, showcasing his sophisticated blues style and raucous R&B energy.[1][2][3][4]

In 1957, Marchan joined Huey 'Piano' Smith and the Clowns as lead singer alongside Gerri Hall and Roosevelt Wright, contributing to New Orleans' iconic rock and roll hits while acting as the group's de facto boss on tour. He left in 1959 for a solo career on Fire Records, achieving his biggest success with the #1 R&B hit 'There's Something on Your Mind' in 1960, a cover of Big Jay McNeely's song enhanced with his signature spoken-word passages. Further hits included 'Shake Your Tambourine' (1966, Cameo-Parkway) and recordings for Stax/Volt after touring with Otis Redding; he also originated 'Get Down and Get With It' (Dial, 1965), later a hit for Slade. His style blended northern soul, doo-wop, and Motown influences with flamboyant showmanship.[1][2][3]

By the 1970s, Marchan returned to New Orleans club work as an MC and female impersonator at venues like Club Alhambra, performing regularly at the Jazz & Heritage Festival. In the 1980s, he founded Manicure Productions to promote hip-hop and bounce acts like DJ Jubilee, and contributed to Cash Money Records' formation. His final recording was a 1987 rework of 'There's Something on Your Mind' on Edge, and he passed away on December 5, 1999, after battling illness, with his last appearance at the 1999 Essence Festival.[1][2][3][4]

Fun Facts

• Ace Records boss Johnny Vincent initially mistook Marchan for a woman during their first studio meeting because he was in drag, leading to a hilarious revelation organized by Huey 'Piano' Smith.[4]
• Marchan earned $1,000 per night on his first major solo tour after 'There's Something on Your Mind,' which he found amusingly lucrative compared to his Clowns days.[3]
• He openly embraced his gay identity in performances like 'Chickee Wah-Wah,' portraying a naïve man pursued by an aggressive woman, blending humor and blues.[3]
• In the 1990s, despite cancer and kidney removal, he stayed active by booking hip-hop acts and helping launch Cash Money Records.[1][4]

Associated Acts

• Huey “Piano” Smith & His Clowns
• The Clowns

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Cosimo Matassa - Recording producer who discovered and produced his early singles ('Have Mercy' (1954, Aladdin Records)) [1953-1954]
• Johnny Vincent - Ace Records executive who signed him and produced key early work ('Chickee Wah-Wah' (1957, Ace Records)) [1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Huey 'Piano' Smith and the Clowns - Lead singer and tour boss in early lineup with Gerri Hall and Roosevelt Wright (Various New Orleans R&B/rock 'n' roll hits) [1957-1959]
• Otis Redding - Toured together; Redding recommended him to Stax Records (Stax/Volt singles like 'What Can I Do' (1964)) [1964]
• DJ Jubilee - Promoted via Manicure Productions (Take Fo' Records bounce music) [1980s-1990s]

Artists Influenced

• Slade - Covered his original 'Get Down and Get With It' as their first chart hit ('Get Down and Get with It' (1971)) [1971]
• Cash Money Records artists - Key figure in label's formation and early promotion (Early hip-hop/bounce roster) [1990s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #new-orleans-r&b, #r&b, #rock-and-indie