Photos from Music History

Robbie, Bobby Charles and the Doc (playing his Gibson Byrdland) cut from The Last Waltz

look at Robbie’s face!

How come so many were left out completely from The Last Waltz?

Bobby Charles, the legendary Louisiana songwriter behind classics like "See You Later, Alligator" and "Walking to New Orleans," played a unique role in The Last Waltz, The Band’s historic farewell concert in 1976. While he took the stage to perform "Down South in New Orleans" with Dr. John, his performance was the only one cut from the final film, thought he ended up on the soundtrack. 

Though excluded from the final edit, Bobby Charles' connection to The Band ran deep. He was a steady collaborator with Rick Danko, who played a key role in producing Charles' critically acclaimed 1972 self-titled album. Their partnership continued on Danko's 1977 solo album, where Charles contributed his signature blend of swampy grooves and soulful lyrics.

I loved Bobby Charles and can’t believe he was cut!? 

 

BOBBY CHARLES

Really fascinating article over at Rockasteria or ''Plain & Fancy'" if you prefer. Regular visitors will know of my mild obsession with all things New Orleans R'n'B starting with Dr John and leading to a lifelong love of Professor Longhair and his contemporaries (Archibald and Tuts Washington especially but all across to Clifton Chenier and the Zydeco sound to Fats Domino and Clarence 'Frogman' Henry' et al). Cajun and Zydeco also featured alongside the more commercial rhythm and blues of the Toussaint era pop of the Louisiana area. Bobby Charles is an extraordinary figure here, a true ethnic Cajun he wrote a few timeless classics. Claiming he became hooked as soon as he heard Fats Domino as a youngster he wrote 'See You Later Alligator' (his version titled 'Later Alligator') which became a world wide classic rock n roll anthem for Bill Haley and The Comets. He also wrote parochial classics like 'Walking To New Orleans'* for Fats himself and beauties such as 'I Don't Know Why I Love You (but I do)' later he fell into more obscurity but 'Plain and Fancy' has an extensive article hear and a wonderful authentic attempt to bring him into more popular circles featuring the best of the New Orleans sound with Mac Rebbenack the good Dr John hisself! It is a softer gentler record and whilst it features super stars like The Band and the Doctor it was met with a limited success. This article also includes a third disc containing an interview which must be as rare as hen's teeth

Great stuff if you are as obsessed with the music of the area as myself!

Robert Charles Guidry
Born	February 21, 1938

Bobby Charles - the Rockasteria












largely edited out of The Last Waltz film you can just about see him at the finale . . . . . but this is only appearance with Levon holding vocal as no-one can!

Gumbo!



*John Broven's great book 'Walking to New Orleans' was re-titled Rhythm and Blue in New Orleans