Biography
The Wild Magnolias are a legendary Mardi Gras Indian group and funk band originating from New Orleans, Louisiana. Their roots trace back to the 1950s, when they participated in the city's vibrant 'Indian masking' traditions, but their modern incarnation began in 1964 when Theodore 'Bo' Dollis became Big Chief. Dollis, who had previously masked with other tribes, transformed the Wild Magnolias from a traditional street group into a musical force, blending the rhythms and chants of Mardi Gras Indian music with funk, R&B, and New Orleans jazz influences.
The group gained wider attention in 1970 with the release of their single 'Handa Wanda,' recorded with local R&B musicians including pianist Willie Tee and guitarist Snooks Eaglin. Their fusion of street percussion and funk instrumentation created a new genre of New Orleans music, leading to two acclaimed albums in the 1970s and performances at venues like Carnegie Hall. Despite setbacks, including limited U.S. album releases, the Wild Magnolias became fixtures at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and toured internationally. The band's sound evolved over time, incorporating brass bands and collaborating with artists such as Dr. John and the ReBirth Brass Band. After Bo Dollis' passing in 2015, his son, Bo Dollis Jr., assumed leadership, ensuring the group's legacy endures as both cultural ambassadors and innovators in New Orleans music.
Fun Facts
- The Wild Magnolias' 1970 single 'Handa Wanda' is credited with spawning a new genre by fusing Mardi Gras Indian chants with funk music.
- They were among the first Mardi Gras Indian groups to record commercially and perform at major venues like Carnegie Hall.
- Their 1974 single 'Smoke My Peace Pipe (Smoke it Right)' reached #74 on the Billboard Black Singles chart.
- Bo Dollis was awarded the National Heritage Fellowship in 2011, the highest U.S. honor in folk and traditional arts.
Members
- Crip Adams
- Big Chief Monk Boudreaux
- Bo Dollis
- Bo Dollis, Jr.
- Gerard Dollis
- Snooks Eaglin
- Geenie
- June Johnson, Jr.
- Norwood Johnson
- Tobias Johnson
- Larry Panna
- Queen Rita
- Bubba Scott
- Henry "Penney" Singleton
- James Smothers
- Willie Tee
- 山岸潤史
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Leon, Flap, Joe Lee Davis - Previous Big Chiefs of the Wild Magnolias before Bo Dollis, shaping the group's early traditions and leadership (Traditional Mardi Gras Indian performances) [1950s–1964]
Key Collaborators
- Willie Tee - Pianist, arranger, and key musical collaborator who helped develop the band's funk sound and co-wrote originals (Wild Magnolias (1974), They Call Us Wild (1975)) [1970s–1990s]
- Snooks Eaglin - Guitarist in the New Orleans Project backing band, contributed to the group's early recordings (Handa Wanda, Wild Magnolias albums) [1970s]
- ReBirth Brass Band - Collaborated on recordings and live performances, adding brass band energy to the Wild Magnolias' sound (I'm Back...at Carnival Time (1990)) [1990s]
- Dr. John - Collaborated on recordings and New Orleans Revue tours (Super Sunday Showdown (1991), Big Easy Fantasy (1992)) [1990s]
- Monk Boudreaux - Big Chief of the Golden Eagles, frequent collaborator and performer with the Wild Magnolias (Live performances, New Kind of Funk (2013)) [1970s–2010s]
Artists Influenced
- Bo Dollis Jr. - Son of Bo Dollis, inherited the Big Chief title and continues the Wild Magnolias' musical and cultural legacy (New Kind of Funk (2013), ongoing performances) [2010s–present]
- June Yamagishi - Japanese guitarist inspired by the band's sound, later joined the group (Live performances with the Wild Magnolias) [1990s–2000s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Life Is A Carnival | 1999-01-01 | Album |
| I'm Back… At Carnival Time! | 1990-01-01 | Album |
| Chip Off the Old Block | 2025-06-13 | Album |
| 30 Years & Still Wild | 2002-08-06 | Album |
| New Kind of Funk | 2013-09-24 | Album |
| 1313 Hoodoo Street | 2001-10-01 | Album |
| The Wild Magnolias | 2024-09-06 | Album |
| They Call Us Wild | 2024-09-06 | Album |
| They Call Us Wild | 1975-01-01 | Album |
| A New Kinda Groove - Bonus Tracks and Remixes | 2024-09-06 | Album |
| My Name Is Bo | 2021-08-07 | Album |
| They Call Us Wild | 2007-06-26 | Album |
Top Tracks
- All On A Mardi Gras Day (Life Is A Carnival)
- Carnival Time (I'm Back… At Carnival Time!)
- Handa Wanda (Best of New Orleans (Mardi Gras Indians))
- Carnival Time (The Rounder Records Story)
- Party (Life Is A Carnival)
- A Nickel and a Nail (Chip Off the Old Block)
- Tipitina (Meet Me At Mardi Gras)
- Chip Off The Old Block (Chip Off The Old Block)
- Tipitina (I'm Back… At Carnival Time!)
- New Suit (They Call Us Wild)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
THE WILD MAGNOLIAS has been played 32 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.