Piano Red

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Piano Red (born Willie Perryman, October 19, 1911, Hampton, Georgia) (died 1985, Atlanta, Georgia) was an American blues musician, and the first to hit the pop music charts. His simple, hard-pounding left hand and his percussive right hand, coupled with his cheerful shout brought him considerable success over three decades.

Piano Red's name came from his albino pigmentation. He began recording early in his life, in the 1930s. His older brother, blues pianist Speckled Red, Rufus Perryman, was also an albino. Rufus, two decades older than Willie, had left home before his little brother took up the piano and they never recorded together.

In 1950 (see 1950 in music) Piano Red signed to RCA Victor and released "Rockin' with Red", a huge hit that has been covered many times (under many titles). It was followed by more hits, including "Red's Boogie", "The Wrong Yo-Yo", "Laying the Boogie" and "Just Right Bounce".

In 1966, the popular folk-rock group The Lovin' Spoonful, recorded his song "Bald Headed Lena" on their second album "Daydream".

Piano Red's involvement with radio station WAOK in Atlanta as a disc jockey and performer had him appearing on a flatbed truck in many parades, which led to his song "Peachtree Parade".

On Okeh Records, in 1962, he began using the name Dr. Feelgood and the Interns, releasing several hits, including the much-covered "Doctor Feel-Good". The new career was short-lived, though, and Piano Red was never able to regain his former stature. He continued to be a popular performer in Underground Atlanta and had several European tours late in his career. He died in 1985 (see 1985 in music).