DR. JOHN & THE LOWER 911

Biography

Dr. John & The Lower 911 was the late-career touring and recording band of Malcolm John 'Mac' Rebennack Jr., better known as Dr. John, a legendary musician from New Orleans. Born on November 20, 1941, in New Orleans, Dr. John began his musical journey as a teenage guitarist and songwriter, working with local R&B legends and quickly establishing himself as a versatile session musician. After a gun injury in 1960 forced him to switch from guitar to piano, he developed a unique style blending New Orleans blues, jazz, R&B, funk, and psychedelic rock, often infused with the mystique of local Voudou and carnival traditions.[2][3][4][5]

Dr. John moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s, where he became a sought-after session musician and launched his solo career with the creation of his flamboyant alter ego, Dr. John the Night Tripper. His debut album, 'Gris-Gris' (1968), introduced audiences to a mystical, theatrical blend of New Orleans music and psychedelic funk. Throughout his career, Dr. John became an ambassador for New Orleans music, earning multiple Grammy Awards and collaborating with a wide array of artists. In the 2000s, he formed The Lower 911, a band that helped him record and tour, most notably on the Grammy-winning album 'City That Care Forgot' (2008), which addressed the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the resilience of his hometown.[1][2][4][5]

Dr. John & The Lower 911 continued to celebrate and evolve the traditions of New Orleans music, with Dr. John serving as both a preserver and innovator of the city's sound. His legacy endures as one of the most influential and distinctive voices in American music, revered for his musicianship, showmanship, and unwavering dedication to the cultural heritage of New Orleans.[1][2][3][4][5]

Fun Facts

• Dr. John's stage persona, 'The Night Tripper,' was inspired by New Orleans Voudou and carnival traditions, and his concerts often featured elaborate costumes, feathers, and voodoo props.[4]
• He switched from guitar to piano after a gunshot injury to his left hand during a bar fight in 1960.[2][4]
• Dr. John was a member of the legendary Los Angeles session group 'The Wrecking Crew,' playing on records by Cher, Aretha Franklin, and Frank Zappa.[4]
• His 2008 album with The Lower 911, 'City That Care Forgot,' won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album and was a response to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.[1][2]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Professor Longhair - Dr. John played guitar on Professor Longhair's records and cited him as a major influence on his piano style. (Session work in the 1950s) [1950s]
• Cosimo Matassa - Studio owner and producer who gave Dr. John early recording and session opportunities. (Studio sessions with various New Orleans artists) [1950s]
• Allen Toussaint - Collaborator and inspiration; Dr. John worked with Toussaint on early hits and was influenced by his songwriting and arranging. (Jimmy Clanton's 'Just a Dream', Johnny Adams's 'Losing Battle') [1950s-1960s]

Key Collaborators

• The Lower 911 - Dr. John's late-career touring and recording band, featured on several albums. ('City That Care Forgot' (2008), 'Tribal' (2010)) [2000s-2010s]
• Eric Clapton - Guest musician on Dr. John's album. ('The Sun, Moon & Herbs' (1971)) [1971]
• Mick Jagger - Guest musician on Dr. John's album. ('The Sun, Moon & Herbs' (1971)) [1971]
• Van Morrison - Dr. John played as a session musician on Morrison's recordings. (Session work in Los Angeles) [1960s-1970s]

Artists Influenced

• The Black Keys - Cited Dr. John as an influence on their approach to blues and funk. (General influence on style) [2000s]
• Elvis Costello - Inspired by Dr. John's songwriting and New Orleans sound. (General influence on songwriting) [1980s-present]
• Trombone Shorty - Influenced by Dr. John's fusion of New Orleans traditions with modern styles. (General influence on New Orleans music) [2000s-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Feel Good Music (Tribal)
2. Time For A Change (City That Care Forgot)
3. Dream Warrior (City That Care Forgot)
4. City That Care Forgot (City That Care Forgot)
5. Manoovas (Tribal)
6. Keep On Goin' (City That Care Forgot)
7. My People Need A Second Line (City That Care Forgot)
8. Promises, Promises (City That Care Forgot)
9. You Might Be Surprised (City That Care Forgot)
10. Black Gold (City That Care Forgot)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia