Images Tony Joe White
Vale Tony Joe White
By Jim Jacob
Two years ago today Tony Joe White, the Louisiana Swamp Fox, passed away.
I was able to capture some images along the way, stretching from Tasmania to Tennessee.
On 11 September 2018 I was in Nashville Tennessee as part of our Listening Through The Lens TriFest Music Tour. It was the first day of the Americana Festival and Conference and we were lucky enough to be on the BMI Rooftop Kick-Off Party with Tony Joe on the bill.
He played a short set, featuring a resounding take of John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom”. He was also awarded a “Rainy Night In Georgia” airplay award from BMI.
His proposed Australian tour had just been cancelled due to back pain and he did look a little troubled that night.
BIO
One of seven sons born into a north-eastern Louisiana farming family
Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode To Billie Joe” inspired him to write songs about the American South
Signed to Monument Records in Nashville in 1967
Best known for “Rainy Night in Georgia”, “Polk Salad Annie” and “Steamy Windows”
Songs covered by Brook Benton, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Rod Stewart, Dusty Springfield and Tina Turner
More popular in Europe and other parts of the world than the USA
He released around twenty full-length albums and toured relentlessly (usually with just his long-standing drummer Steve Jordan)
Died from a heart attack aged 75 on 26 October 2018
WE REVIEW ONE OF HIS LAST ALBUMS
ADVERTISE WITH LISTENING THROUGH THE LENS
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Images Tony Joe White
October 24, 2020
It was a lovely night on the BMI rooftop and a great privilege to see Tony Joe.
October 24, 2020
It sure was Keiran – what a night! To be able to see a legend one last time. War and Treaty were on after I recall – what’s not to like about that!