Dootsie Williams
Dootsie Williams | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Born | Walter D. Williams Jr. June 17, 1911 Mobile, Alabama, United States |
| Died | August 21, 1991 (aged 80) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Comedy, doo-wop, gospel |
| Occupations | Record executive, record producer, band leader |
| Years active | 1940s–1975 |
| Labels | Dooto, Dootone |
Walter D. Williams, Jr. (June 17, 1911 – August 21, 1991),[1] known as Dootsie Williams, was an American record producer and record label owner who released early records by Redd Foxx and The Penguins.
Life and career
[edit | edit source]Williams was born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1911, and by 1918 had moved with his family to Los Angeles.[1] He was a leader of the Harlem Dukes band in the 1940s. While performing at gigs, he came up with the idea of recording other artists.[2]
In 1949, Williams founded the Blue Records label. Two years later he changed the name to Dootone. One of the first artists he recorded on Dootone was a violinist named Johnny Creach, who years later would become popular as Papa John Creach.[3] In 1954, he recorded a local group called The Penguins, who would have a huge hit with "Earth Angel".[3]
While the label would record a wide variety of music, it would be best known for a series of comedy recordings by Redd Foxx.[4] Williams saw the comedian perform at the Brass Rail, a local Los Angeles nightclub, and signed Foxx to a recording contract. Laff of the Party, the first of many albums that Foxx recorded for Williams, became a cult favorite and helped establish him as a national star.[5]
Williams died in Los Angeles on August 21, 1991.[1]
References
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External links
[edit | edit source]- Dootone/Dooto Single Discography
- Dootone/Dooto Album Discography
- The Doo-Wop Society of Southern California
