Biography

1963: Mike Leadbitter launched Blues Unlimited, the first international blues magazine, with Simon Napier at Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex. Wrote for my former Bexhill Grammar School colleagues in debut issue with article on Louisiana record man Jay D. Miller. Contributed to BU until 1984.

1974: Co-published “Walking to New Orleans” with Blues Unlimited (as Blues Unlimited Books) after being badgered by Leadbitter. A U.S. edition was licensed to Pelican Books of Gretna, La., retitled “Rhythm & Blues in New Orleans.”

1970s-80s: Many LP liner notes/compilations for Ace, Charly, EMI, Flyright, Pathé Marconi, Sonet and others.

1983: Pelican Books published follow-up, “South to Louisiana.”

1985-92: Co-editor Juke Blues with Cilla Huggins and Bez Turner.

1991 on: After Midland Bank career, joined Ace Records of North London under Ted Carroll, Trevor Churchill and Roger Armstrong. Among Ace CD releases were B.B. King box set (with Colin Escott); and “Golden Age of American Rock ‘n’ Roll” (jointly), “Cajun Classics,” “Teen Beat,” Excello-Nashboro and Modern Downhome (with Dave Sax) series. Also 4-CD “The Excello Story” (Universal/Hip-O) and Fats Domino box with Alan Warner (EMI).

2003: Compiled and produced 50th anniversary tribute double-CD, “Hy Weiss presents Old Town Records” (Ace). This release sparked the final research process and writing of “Record Makers and Breakers.”

2006-08: After some 250 CD compilations and co-compilations, left Ace Records and finished “Record Makers and Breakers.”

 

Awards
1982: Honorary membership of Louisiana Music Commission.

1993: “Iry LeJeune: Cajun’s Greatest” Ace CD (from Goldband) selected as An Outstanding Folk Recording by American Folklife Center, The Library of Congress.

1995: Louisiana Hall of Fame induction.

2000: Ace Records award, jointly with Rob Finnis and Trevor Churchill, for combined CD sales of 100,000 for the “Golden Age of American Rock ‘n’ Roll” series.

Lectures and seminars

1984: University of Liège. “Charley Patton and Mississippi Blues: The Influences on Louisiana Country Blues.”
2006: Satchmo Festival, New Orleans. “Louis Armstrong and Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
2008: Ponderosa Stomp, New Orleans. Joe Bihari of Modern Records, with Jim O’Neal; and Louisiana swamp pop (with Johnnie Allan, Sam Montalbano, David Rachou and Harry Simoneaux).
2009: Panels at Ponderosa Stomp and Jazz  Fest, New Orleans. Joe Bihari inverview at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland.
2010: Keynote speech at ARSC Conference, New Orleans.

Broadcasting

BBC Radio London: “Honky Tonk” with Charlie Gillett; “Echoes” with Stuart Colman

BBC London, Radio 2: “Paul Jones R&B Show”

Jazz FM and BBC Radio Kent with Helen Mayhew

NPR, USA: “In the Mood” with Rex Doane; WFDU, New Jersey: “Sounds of Blue” with Bob Putignano; WRFU, New Jersey: “Big Beat Show” with Lou Rallo; WRHU, Long Island, NY: “R&B Serenade” with Frank Gengaro & Gordon Skadberg; Radio Hilversum, Holland

Local radio and television in New Orleans and South Louisiana.