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Cox Interview on Ace Records

October 4, 1989 telephone conversation with Dr. Dan E. Cox regarding  Johnny Vincent and Ace Records.

 

Leonard Chess told Johnny to change his name, dropping Imbragulio. Cox says it was the Jewish connection, that Jews in show business were sensitive to the fact that people might not like names which didn’t sound Anglo-Saxon.

Vincent tried to get into gospel music a la Savoy Records but couldn’t.   

Johnny replaced Sonny Bono as Specialty A&R man because Bono wouldn’t drop his Italian name.

There were several Guitar Slims. Eddie Jones went to Memphis from MS, showed up in New Orleans alcohol rehabilitation program.

Johnny got more out of Tipitinas than Dew Drop.

 Malcolm John Rebbenack, Jr. grew up with and associated with Allen   Toussaint. Cut "Storm Warning," a guitar solo with Vincent's outfit.

Ray Charles hated the poor quality of the music on “The Things I Used to Do” session on which it was the pianist.  They let him drive the car around New Orleans in the middle of the night to make him happier.

 Alan Freed couldn't stand Vincent. Cox says Hoss Allen tells this story as did others.

 Art Rupe fired Vincent from Specialty Records because Vincent was cheating on him by cutting records and artists on the side. He was selling tapes to other record companies.

 Johnny was "connected" and always hustling.