Musician. James Carroll Booker III, a self-proclaimed "Bronze Liberace" and the "Black Prince of Europe," was one of the most accomplished rhythm and blues pianists ever to emerge from the New Orleans musical scene. He mastered the piano by age seven. As a young boy, Booker began appearing on WMRY Radio in New Orleans. His older sister also performed on the station as a gospel singer. In 1954 he came to the attention of musician Dave Bartholomew and became the youngest artist signed to Imperial Records. He had a hit as "Little Booker" with the song "Doin' the Hambone." He also had a hit in 1960 with the song "Gonzo." During the 1960's, Booker was signed with Chess Records and performed with numerous artists, including Fats Domino and Huey "Piano" Smith. However, Booker's illicit drug use caused him to serve hard time at Angola State Penitentiary in 1970 and 34 days in the Orleans Parish Prison. As a child, he received injuries when he was hit by an ambulance. While in the hospital, he given morphine, which led to his addiction. As the eye-patch-wearing, flamboyantly dressed entertainer who walked with a limp from a childhood injury, Booker toured to Europe extensively with Grammy winner, Dr. John during the 1970's and early 1980's. He released five albums during his lifetime. After Angola, his mental and physical health declined rapidly. He suffered with chronic alcoholism along with using morphine, then heroin, to cocaine. Sources state that his death certificate gave the cause of death as renal failure as a complication of drug abuse.
Musician. James Carroll Booker III, a self-proclaimed "Bronze Liberace" and the "Black Prince of Europe," was one of the most accomplished rhythm and blues pianists ever to emerge from the New Orleans musical scene. He mastered the piano by age seven. As a young boy, Booker began appearing on WMRY Radio in New Orleans. His older sister also performed on the station as a gospel singer. In 1954 he came to the attention of musician Dave Bartholomew and became the youngest artist signed to Imperial Records. He had a hit as "Little Booker" with the song "Doin' the Hambone." He also had a hit in 1960 with the song "Gonzo." During the 1960's, Booker was signed with Chess Records and performed with numerous artists, including Fats Domino and Huey "Piano" Smith. However, Booker's illicit drug use caused him to serve hard time at Angola State Penitentiary in 1970 and 34 days in the Orleans Parish Prison. As a child, he received injuries when he was hit by an ambulance. While in the hospital, he given morphine, which led to his addiction. As the eye-patch-wearing, flamboyantly dressed entertainer who walked with a limp from a childhood injury, Booker toured to Europe extensively with Grammy winner, Dr. John during the 1970's and early 1980's. He released five albums during his lifetime. After Angola, his mental and physical health declined rapidly. He suffered with chronic alcoholism along with using morphine, then heroin, to cocaine. Sources state that his death certificate gave the cause of death as renal failure as a complication of drug abuse.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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