Eddie Bo Biography
Edwin J. Bocage, 20 September 1930, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. After serving in the army, Bocage enrolled at the Grunewald School of Music to study piano and music theory. His penchant for playing jazz and the more remunerative R&B led to him leading the house band at the Tijuana Club as "Spider" Bocage. Later, with the Spider Bocage Orchestra, he toured with Guitar Slim, Smiley Lewis and Earl King. He first recorded for Johnny Vincent's Ace label in 1955, before signing with Apollo in New York. His hit, "I'm Wise", one of five Apollo singles, became the basis of Little Richard's "Slippin' And Slidin'". Further singles for Checker, Chess and Ace made little impression, although Etta James later had a hit with "My Dearest Darling". He signed with Ric, a local independent label, in 1959, and enjoyed local success with his third release, "Tell It Like It Is". Five records later, he started a dance craze with "Check Mr Popeye", but failed to have a nationwide hit because of competition from Huey Smith and Chubby Checker. During the 60s, Bo recorded prolifically for a host of New Orleans labels, including Rip, At Last, Cinderella, Arrow, Blue Jay, Seven-B and Nola. His biggest success came in 1969 with "Hook And Sling" for Scram. Two years later, he had a local hit with "Check Your Bucket" on his own Bo-Sound label, before leaving the music business temporarily. In the late 80s, he toured Europe as part of a New Orleans package that included Dr John and Mink Deville.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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