00:40 Allison Miner introduces “king of the prom” Deacon John Moore. Born at home in the 8th ward with a doctor delivering a baby for the first time. The birth was also witnessed by Lyle Saxon, writer and journalist who wrote about New Orleans history and documented folklore and Creole culture for the WPA Federal Writers Project. His mother was a church organist and teacher, had 13 children. Raised with lots of music. Started on piano and ukulele, sang, picked up guitar in high school. 04:45 Tells story of his mother being told that if she clipped his nails under a fig tree he would grow up to be a singer. She did and he did. Went to Corpus Christi Elementary School and St. Augustine High. In junior high sang 50’s R&B with the Rockettes. Became fascinated with guitar. Saved his money and bought a pawn shop guitar. 11:15 Practiced guitar, learned to read music and started rock ‘n roll band called the Echoes. Played yard parties AKA rent parties. 15:25 Credits the influence of Solomon Spencer, a school band director who also booked bands. Miner asks him about guitarists, Roy Montrell and Walter “Papoose” Nelson. Montrell played with Fats Domino, gave guitar lessons, his emphasis was on chords and running scales for dexterity. Watched him give other people lessons and picked things up. Papoose and his brother, Prince La La, and his father who played guitar, had a bar in the Treme, where they played, competing with each other. 19:00 Still a teen, started sneaking into bars and listening to music. Fun coming up in the days “of segregation.” Became sideman for many of the early Minit recording sessions. Has always made his living playing music. Met Allen Touissant at the Dew Drop who picked him up. 22:45 Made his frist record in 1962 on Rip. His live perfomances were very popular. Got booked by Solomon Spencer at the wealthy white Club Valencia. Then brought his own band in, Deacon John and the Ivories. Played songs like “Please Mr. Custer’ and became a big hit with these kids who hired him to play for debutante parties and the like. 25:45 Moved into a psychedelic phase, got a Hammond B3 and big sound system. First black group in New Orleans to play electric music and combined it with soul music. Started playing in black clubs playing Hendrix, Chicago, Santana and Vanilla Fudge; people thought it was original music. Got a reputation for playing acid rock. Started playing bigger and bigger clubs. 32:45 1970 recorded Many Rivers to Cross.