Rosco Gordon

Rosco Gordon
Background information
Birth nameRosco N. Gordon III
Born(1928-04-10)April 10, 1928
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedJuly 11, 2002(2002-07-11) (aged 74)
Queens, New York City
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentPiano
Years active1950–2002
Labels

Rosco N. Gordon III (April 10, 1928 – July 11, 2002),[1] sometimes billed as Roscoe Gordon, was an American blues singer, pianist, and songwriter. He is best known for his hit songs "Booted," (1952), "No More Doggin'" (1952), and "Just a Little Bit" (1960).[2] Gordon was a pioneer of the Memphis blues style.[3] He played piano in a style known as the "Rosco rhythm," with the emphasis on the off-beat.[4] This rhythm was an influence on later musical styles such as Jamaican ska and reggae.

  1. ^ Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues: A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara, California: Praeger Publishing. p. 246. ISBN 978-0313344237.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1988). Top R&B Singles 1942–1988. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research. p. 170. ISBN 0-89820-068-7.
  3. ^ Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books. p. 114. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
  4. ^ "Rosco Gordon, 74, Blues Singer Who Influenced Rock and Ska". The New York Times. July 22, 2002. ISSN 0362-4331.