La Historia cuenta que Esquerita (nombre real Eskew Reeder) fue uno de los primeros en interpretar ese sonido conocido como rock'n'roll o al menos se reconoce su influencia en la música que grabaría el pionero Little Richard, aunque es difícil definir hasta qué punto uno influyó en el otro. Se dice que Little Richard se encontraba en Nueva Orleans grabando un disco con un sonido más tradicional, pero en una pausa de la grabación se acercó a un piano y empezó a interpretar 'Tutti Frutti' al estilo de Esquerita. Eso habría dado las claves de cómo debía ser su lanzamiento. En realidad la grabación de Esquerita para Capitol, su primer y único Larga Duración, fue posterior a las grabaciones de Richard y eso añade incógnita a la historia*.
Conocido por su extravagante aspecto, maquillado y con enorme peluca, su carrera estuvo eclipsada por otros artistas de mayor éxito y por su tardío lanzamiento. A finales de los 60s cambió su nombre por 'The Magnificent Malochi' y estuvo girando, pero prontó se le perdió la pista. Terminó actuando años más tarde en pequeños garitos y clubs de ambiente gay con el nombre de 'Fabulash'. Una vez abandonada su faceta musical acabó ganándose la vida como pudo hasta su fallecimiento por SIDA en 1989.
*Lo que sí es un hecho comúnmente aceptado es que el 'Rocket 88' de la banda de Ike Turner es la primera grabación de rock'n'roll de la Historia (registrada en 1951).
History tells Esquerita (real name Eskew Reeder) was one of the first to play that sound known as rock'n'roll or at least a definite influence on the music that Little Richard played, though it is difficult to define the extent of the influence of one on the other. It is said that Little Richard was in New Orleans recording an album with a more traditional sound to please the record company executives, but in a recording break jumped on a piano and started playing 'Tutti Frutti' in that Esquerita wild style. It gave the key to how he should play. But in fact Esquerita recording for Capitol in 1959, his first and only Long-Player, happened later than the first recordings by Richard and that adds mystery to the story*.
Known for his flamboyant appearance, wearing heavy makeup and enormous wigs, his career was overshadowed by more successful artists. In the late '60s he changed his artist name to 'The Magnificent Malochi' and was touring for a while but was soon lost track. Years later he ended up acting in small clubs and gay bars with the name 'Fabulash'. Once he abandoned his musical act earned a living in any way he could find until his death from AIDS in 1989.
*The most common accepted fact in that musical History is that 'Rocket 88' by Ike Turner's band was the very first recording (made in 1951) to be considered as rock'n'roll music.
EscuchaListen
▶Esquerita·'Hey Miss Lucy'
Conocido por su extravagante aspecto, maquillado y con enorme peluca, su carrera estuvo eclipsada por otros artistas de mayor éxito y por su tardío lanzamiento. A finales de los 60s cambió su nombre por 'The Magnificent Malochi' y estuvo girando, pero prontó se le perdió la pista. Terminó actuando años más tarde en pequeños garitos y clubs de ambiente gay con el nombre de 'Fabulash'. Una vez abandonada su faceta musical acabó ganándose la vida como pudo hasta su fallecimiento por SIDA en 1989.
*Lo que sí es un hecho comúnmente aceptado es que el 'Rocket 88' de la banda de Ike Turner es la primera grabación de rock'n'roll de la Historia (registrada en 1951).
History tells Esquerita (real name Eskew Reeder) was one of the first to play that sound known as rock'n'roll or at least a definite influence on the music that Little Richard played, though it is difficult to define the extent of the influence of one on the other. It is said that Little Richard was in New Orleans recording an album with a more traditional sound to please the record company executives, but in a recording break jumped on a piano and started playing 'Tutti Frutti' in that Esquerita wild style. It gave the key to how he should play. But in fact Esquerita recording for Capitol in 1959, his first and only Long-Player, happened later than the first recordings by Richard and that adds mystery to the story*.
Known for his flamboyant appearance, wearing heavy makeup and enormous wigs, his career was overshadowed by more successful artists. In the late '60s he changed his artist name to 'The Magnificent Malochi' and was touring for a while but was soon lost track. Years later he ended up acting in small clubs and gay bars with the name 'Fabulash'. Once he abandoned his musical act earned a living in any way he could find until his death from AIDS in 1989.
*The most common accepted fact in that musical History is that 'Rocket 88' by Ike Turner's band was the very first recording (made in 1951) to be considered as rock'n'roll music.
EscuchaListen
▶Esquerita·'Hey Miss Lucy'
