LEROY WASHINGTON

Biography

Leroy Washington was born on March 1, 1932, in Palmetto, Louisiana, a small farming community northeast of Opelousas. Raised by his single mother, he worked on the railroads to help support the family while developing an early interest in music by fooling around with a guitar and listening to blues and Cajun records on local radio stations. By the early 1950s, he had become a skilled guitarist, forming a duo with neighbor Chuck Martin—who later became a known Zydeco artist—and performing in local juke joints.[1][2][5][6][7]

Washington's talent earned him the nickname 'The Guitar Wizard,' leading to a full-time music career playing nightly in clubs around Opelousas and Lake Charles. He served as guitarist and occasional bassist for the Guidry Brothers Band (also known as the Honeydrippers) from Church Point and appeared on DJ Isaac Lutcher's influential radio program, backing blues stars like Roy Brown, Jimmy Reed, and Clarence Garlow. Introduced to producer J.D. Miller by Guitar Gable, he recorded sessions in Crowley, Louisiana, from 1957 to 1960, resulting in singles on Excello, Rocko, and Zynn labels, including the local hit 'Wild Cherry,' though much material remained unreleased for decades. His style blended Louisiana swamp blues with R&B elements.[1][2][4]

Washington performed extensively with various bands, including Good Rockin' Bob's (Ed Thomas) Orchestra. Tragically, on June 30, 1962, while performing at the Big Casino in Leesville, Louisiana, he collapsed onstage from an aneurysm and died on June 29, 1966, in Oakdale, Louisiana, at age 34. His legacy as a top-notch, previously obscure guitarist was later illuminated by blues researcher Gene Tomko's work in Living Blues.[1][2][4]

Fun Facts

• Earned the nickname 'The Guitar Wizard' for his exceptional guitar skills in Louisiana clubs.
• A local hit with 'Wild Cherry' in the late 1950s, but most of his J.D. Miller sessions remained unreleased for decades.
• Collapsed onstage from an aneurysm on June 30, 1962, at the Big Casino in Leesville while performing for a crowd near Fort Polk military base.
• Played both guitar and bass, and also sang, showcasing versatility in swamp blues and R&B.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Isaac Lutcher - Influential Lake Charles DJ who featured him on radio and hired him to back visiting blues stars (Radio program appearances with Roy Brown, Jimmy Reed, Clarence Garlow) [1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Chuck Martin - Neighbor and duo partner in local performances (Local juke joints and venues) [Early 1950s]
• Guidry Brothers Band (Honeydrippers) - Guitarist and occasional bassist (Live performances) [1950s]
• Guitar Gable - Introduced him to producer J.D. Miller; session collaborator (1957-1959 recordings including 'Sally Lou', 'Wild Cherry') [1957-1960]
• J.D. Miller - Record producer (Sessions in Crowley, LA (1957-1960) including 'Wild Cherry', singles on Excello/Rocko/Zynn) [1957-1960]
• Good Rockin' Bob (Ed Thomas) Orchestra - Band member (Live shows including Big Casino, Leesville (1962)) [Early 1960s]

External Links

• Spotify