The Men Behind The Bluesmen: Dave Bartholomew

The Chronological
Dave Bartholomew: 1950-1952
Dave Bartholomew was born on 24 December 1920, in Edgard, Louisiana. He was a musician, band leader, composer, and arranger, prominent in the music of New Orleans throughout the second half of the 20th century.

He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Blues Hall of Fame.



According to Wikipedia his legacy is;

Bartholomew helped develop and define the New Orleans sound which was so influential in the 1950s. He was key in the transition from jump blues and big-band swing to rhythm and blues and rock and roll.

Bartholomew and Domino co-wrote many songs that were hits, including "Ain't That a Shame", "I'm in Love Again" "Blue Monday" and "I'm Walkin'".

His "I Hear You Knocking" was a hit for Gale Storm in the 50's, and Dave Edmunds in the 70's; "One Night" and "Witchcraft" were both hits for Elvis Presley. Pat Boone's cover of "Ain’t That a Shame," and Rick Nelson's version of "I'm Walkin'" were top twenty hits in the late '50s and early '60s. Chuck Berry's only #1 Hot 100 hit was a cover of Bartholomew's "My Ding-a-Ling", although Berry substantially changed the arrangement and verses.

Bartholomew produced a series of memorable hits such as "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" with Lloyd Price; and "I Hear You Knocking" and "One Night" with Smiley Lewis; plus "Let the Good Times Roll" with Shirley & Lee.