Biography
Theodore Joseph 'Ted' Horowitz, known as Popa Chubby, was born on March 31, 1960, in The Bronx, New York City. He picked up the guitar at age 14, teaching himself blues licks amid the rock scene, and by his early twenties, he was busking and playing folk with Pierce Turner and New Wave/punk with Richard Hell, while yearning to focus on blues. In the late 1970s and 1980s, he gigged extensively in New York clubs, becoming the house band at Manny's Car Wash, where he backed numerous artists, honing his aggressive 'New York City Blues' style that fuses blues with punk, hip hop, rock, and R&B influences from Willie Dixon, Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, Sly & the Family Stone, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, and Cream.
His breakthrough came in 1991 when he won the National Blues Talent Search sponsored by KLON radio, earning the New Artist of the Year award and opening the Long Beach Blues Festival in 1992. He released independent records before signing with Sony's Okeh label in 1994, producing his debut 'Booty and the Beast' with legendary producer Tom Dowd, featuring the hit 'Sweet Goddess of Love and Beer.' After creative differences in 1996, he launched his own label and found massive success in Europe via France's Dixiefrog, touring nonstop and selling out venues, while pioneering a gritty urban blues sound. Though less prominent in the U.S., he maintained a rigorous schedule of over 200 club dates annually through the 1990s and beyond.
Popa Chubby's legacy lies in his raw, streetwise energy, showmanship, and innovation, blending traditional blues with modern New York edge, earning acclaim as a larger-than-life guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer who has released numerous albums and produced others under Popa Chubby Productions.
Fun Facts
- Like Jerry Lewis, Popa Chubby is far more popular in France and Europe than in the U.S., frequently selling out major venues and gracing guitar magazine covers there.
- He served as house band at the now-defunct Manny's Car Wash in New York, backing and opening for countless great musicians, which shaped his unique 'New York City Blues' sound.
- His fingers bled as a teen from practicing blues licks learned second-hand from rockers, and he once answered a Village Voice ad that launched his punk rock phase.
- He played over 200-250 club dates a year through the 1990s, maintaining a grueling East Coast and European tour schedule.
Associated Acts
- Popa Chubby Band
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Buddy Fox - Mentor who encouraged him to enter the 1991 National Blues Talent Search (KLON nationwide blues talent search)
- Tom Dowd - Influential producer who convinced him to sign with Okeh and advised European move (Booty and the Beast album; advice leading to Dixiefrog releases) [1994-1996]
Key Collaborators
- Pierce Turner - Band member and world tour guitarist (The Sky and the Ground album) [Late 1980s]
- Richard Hell - Backing guitarist for punk rock poet (Early New Wave/punk performances) [Early 1980s]
- Chris Jefferson - Bassist in his band (Live performances and tours) [1990s-2000s]
- Paul Richards - Drummer in his band (Live performances and tours (250 dates/year)) [1990s-2000s]
Connection Network
External Links
Tags: #american, #blues-rock, #rock
References
Heard on WWOZ
Popa Chubby has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.