This great man died 2-4-75 before that he played in SOLD OUT CONCERTS going back to the very beginning of his existence.He was arguably the most influential musician of the 20th Century his influence can be heard in any form of music currently heard today.This song paved the way for the MODERN DAY MUSIC VIDEO.
I love Louis Jordan, but I will argue that he’s not more influential than Louis Armstrong, who influenced Jordan ( they recorded together as well! )and pretty much all singers and instrumentalists of the 20th C!
@@theblueriverjazzbandmusic2540 I get your point but I still think Jordan surpassed Armstrong.Jordan's influence can be heard in music up to the current era including Hip Hop.Jordan as stated before helped to pioneer the MODERN DAY MUSIC VIDEO
@@dwightlove3704 I’m absolutely positive. Not trying to be a wise guy but do your homework- check out Armstrong starting in 1922 all the way up through the 70s- the amount of different artists he recorded with, and the different settings he recorded in…just the sheer amount of recordings, performances, etc. And his influence overall on 20th C. vocally and instrumentally. He created modern time, and virtually created swing. The Father of Jazz. One of the first black musicians to be featured in movies, first one to host a nationwide radio show, countless TV appearances,etc. His accomplishments and breakthroughs musically, socially- they dwarf Jordan’s, and I’m a Jordan fan. Love Jordan, but Louis Jordan wouldn’t have had his opportunities if it weren’t for Armstrong and Ellington’s breakthroughs.
When I was 17 the BBC aired a 3 plus hours music show about the story of the blues. B.B. King was co-hosting the show. Louis Jordan 'Caldonia' clip moved me so much, that I became a instant fan. Apparently at the Apollo Louis Jordan would interact with the audience and stir up some trouble and pull someone on stage, to join him but allegedly it was part of the act. James Brown held on for years about his musical idols but when he did eventually open up, Louis Jordan was a big influence. James even covered one or two of Jordan's songs. Louis's 'Let the good times roll' was used in the Blues brothers film when they sit in an apartment with the trains rolling by. And I personally believe Louis's 'I Want You to Be My Baby' to be one of the first forms of rap, when he kicks off and sings 'Listen to your daddy'... it's so fast.
I'm an Apostle of the Funk genre of Music. I've always followed my favorites' favorite artists or who influenced them. It started from loving Parliament/Funkadelic to Prince. As I read about thier influences I was drawn to Sly Stone & James Brown. Mr. Brown said 1 of his favorite artists growing up was Mr Louis Jordan, whom I never heard of. I can definitely see the influence as he was very entertaining to watch and great musician.
In the 90s west coast swing was catching on and I sang in a band (Jump Up!) performing a lot of his stuff. His lyrics were dynamite, fun and clever. So underrated...
Thank you so much for sharing this documentary on Louis Jordan. I believe that Mr. Jordan was the starting off point for bringing joyful Black Talented people to the forefront.
The late Great Reggae Toaster Daddy U Roy credits this man as his influence...U Roy is the foundation to a lot of what happened in Reggae/Dancehall music...
@Helmsley Mipps Thanks for posting this doc! My grandfather was Jesse Simpkins, who was the bassist in Louis Jordan's band for many years (you can see him at 34:32). I've been trying to track down more information about him, and it was suggested that I reach out to anyone who has posted videos featuring him, as they might potentially have a personal connection or know someone who did. Any suggestions of folks who might have known him or known what happened to him would be greatly appreciated.
That's quite a lineage! Your grandfather looks and sounds awesome! I wish I had more info for you - I'm just a fan of the music and found this video on an old VHS tape and figured others would love it too!
@@helmsleymipps Hey thanks for getting back to me! It's all good- even knowing that you didn't know him makes me feel one step closer to finding someone who did.
Great documentary. Louis Jordan is where it all started. From the roots of boogie-woogie, he entertained us with jump blues, rap, jazz and rock before they called it rock.
Jordan's "Saturday Night Fish Fry" has always been my choice for first Rock n Roll song. 1949 with Ham Jackson playing early guitar licks later used by Chuck Berry.
With all due respect the musical shorts that became the frontrunner for 80's MTV pre-date Louis Jordan by at least a decade. Cab Calloway and other were doing them in the 30's.
When he played Baker's Key Board Lounge in Detroit I was in the military and broke. Was so disappointed that I was never able to see him in person. Always in trouble with wives, ex-wives and his girl friends; then, there was the Internal Revenue! You had to love this guy. Do any of his fans know if he ever made it big in LasVegas. He was the father of jump blues.
Every chance I have to write online about the Mount Rushmore of Rock & Roll progenitors, I put LJ right up there with Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino, and Bo Diddley.
I always think Angelo Moore (Fishbone), himself a sadly unsung hero of a certain generation of LA music that made millions for other (white) people, is a modern-day Louis Jordan. Talent, style, shit to say. We're still ignoring talent like this. 🤷♂️
