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.
