Cripple Clarence Lofton
Cripple Clarence Lofton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | AlbertorClarence Clemens |
| Born | March 28, 1887or1897 KingsportorBurns, Tennessee,United States |
| Died | January 9, 1957 (age 59–69) Chicago, Illinois,United States[1] |
| Genres | Blues,boogie-woogie,twelve-bar blues |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter,tap dancer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano |
| Labels | Vocalion,[2]Document |
Clarence Lofton(March 28, 1887,[1]1896 or 1897 – January 9, 1957),[3]credited asCripple Clarence Lofton,was an Americanboogie-woogiepianist and singer born inTennessee.
Life and career
[edit]There is uncertainty over when and where he was born. Many sources state that he was born Albert Clemens in 1887, inKingsport,Tennessee.[4]However, the researchers Bob Eagle and Eric LeBlanc state that, based on information in official records, he was bornClarence Clemensin 1896 or 1897, inBurns,Tennessee, and may have been adopted as Clarence Ramsey. They also concluded that Albert (or Elbert) Clemens, born c. 1903, who was also a singer and pianist who recorded forBluebird Records,was his brother.[3]
Lofton was born with a limp, from which he derived his stage name, but he began his career as atap dancer.[4]He then began performing in thebluesidiom known as boogie-woogie and settled inChicago, Illinois.The distinctive feature of his performances was his energetic stage presence; he would dance and whistle as well as sing.[2]A description of Lofton in performance is provided by William Russell, in his essay "Boogie Woogie":
No one can complain of Clarence's lack of variety or versatility. When he really gets going he's a three-ring circus. During one number, he plays, sings, whistles a chorus, and snaps his fingers with the technique of a Spanish dancer to give further percussive accompaniment to his blues. At times he turns sideways, almost with his back to the piano as he keeps pounding away at the keyboard and stomping his feet, meanwhile continuing to sing and shout at his audience or his drummer. Suddenly in the middle of a number he jumps up, his hands clasped in front of him, and walks around the piano stool, and then, unexpectedly, out booms a vocal break in a bass voice from somewhere. One second later, he has turned and is back at the keyboard, both hands flying at lightning-like pace. His actions and facial expressions are as intensely dramatic and exciting as his music. "[5]
With his performance style, Lofton became a mainstay in his genre. His firstrecordingwas made in April 1935 forVocalion Recordswith guitar accompaniment byBig Bill Broonzy.[6]Lofton also accompaniedRed Nelsonon several sides forDecca Recordsin 1935 and 1936.[7]He later owned the Big Applenightclubin Chicago and continued to record into the late 1940s, when he retired.[1]
Lofton lived in Chicago for the rest of his life. He died of ablood clotin his brain in Cook County Hospital in 1957.[3][1]
Influence
[edit]Lofton was an integral figure in the boogie-woogie genre in Chicago.[5]Some of his more popular songs include "Strut That Thing", "Monkey Man Blues", "I Don't Know" and "Pitchin' Boogie". His talent was likened to that ofPinetop Smithand other prominent boogie-woogie artists, includingMeade Lux Lewis,Cow Cow DavenportandJimmy Yancey.Lofton was also said to have influencedErwin Helfer.[8]
Discography
[edit]- Clarence's Blues(1979),Oldie BluesOL 2817
References
[edit]- ^abcdKoda, Cub."Cripple Clarence Lofton: Biography".AllMusic.com.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
- ^ab"Cripple Clarence Lofton, Vol. 2 1939–1943".Document-records.com.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
- ^abcEagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013).Blues: A Regional Experience.Santa Barbara, California: Praeger. p. 150.ISBN978-0313344237.
- ^abKoda, Cub."Cripple Clarence Lofton: Biography".AllMusic.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
- ^abRussell, William."Boogie Woogie".Colindavey.com. Archived fromthe originalon September 23, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
- ^Olderen, Martin van (1979).Clarence's Blues.Liner notes. Oldie Blues OL 2817.
- ^"Red Nelson: Biography".AllMusic.RetrievedNovember 2,2016.
- ^[1]ArchivedJuly 10, 2011, at theWayback Machine
External links
[edit]
- 19th-century births
- 1957 deaths
- 20th-century American dancers
- 20th-century American male musicians
- 20th-century American pianists
- 20th-century American singers
- American blues pianists
- American blues singers
- American male pianists
- American tap dancers
- Boogie-woogie pianists
- People from Kingsport, Tennessee
- Vocalion Records artists