Volume 14 , Issue 20

Swamp Pop And Rhythm & Blues Of 1950's

Were you a teenager of the 1950's? Do you remember a Louisiana (white) cajun, Bobby Charles who made his debut in 1955? He was more successful as a songwriter than a singer. Bobby Charles was an important contributor to Louisiana Swamp Pop and Rhythm & Blues music. He's authored several hits for key artists in the early days of "Rock & Roll" (including Bill Haley and Fats Domino). Although he recorded mostly in obscurity, he emerged as one of the founding fathers of "Swamp Pop." Charles' song, See You Later Alligator, was based on a 12-bar blues chord structure, written by this Louisiana songwriter, Robert Charles Guidry.



Chess released See You Later, Alligator as Bobby Charles' debut single in 1955, in which Charles toured behind it after he graduated from high school.

This is the first verse to See You Later Alligator so you can sing along in case you have forgotten the words.

Well I saw my baby walking with another man today
Well I saw my baby walking with another man today
When I asked her what's the matter, this is what I heard her say
See you later alligator
After a while crocodile
See you later alligator
After a while crocodile
Can't you see you're in my way now
Don't you know you cramp my style

Robert Charles Guidry was born February 21, 1938, in the Cajun-country town of Abbeville, Louisiana, growing up listening to traditional Cajun music. As a teenager, he discovered Rock & Roll and Rhythm & Blues, and began singing with a band called the Cardinals, who performed at local dances. Early in 2010, Robert Charles Guidry collapsed at his home in Abbeville, Louisiana, and died.

It was during the mid-1950's, Bobby Charles wrote a song called See You Later, Alligator, which particularly impressed a Crowley, Louisiana, record-store owner who happened to know Chess Records founder, Leonard Chess. The young singer auditioned over the phone and was rewarded with a recording session at the legendary Cosimo's Studio in New Orleans. After hearing the single version of See You Later, Alligator, Chess signed Guidry thinking he was a black Cajun, which in turn lead to the shortening of his name to the less regional "Bobby Charles."

Bill Haley's Version See You Later Alligator


While it connected with Rhythm & Blues (R&B) audiences, the song did not become a big pop hit until 1956, when Bill Haley covered it for a National best-seller. Bobby Charles scored another minor hit that year with Time Will Tell, staying with Chess through 1957, recording R&B singles that were already infused with a Cajun musical sensibility.

In 1958, Bobby Charles moved to Imperial, cutting several singles through 1959. Bobby Charles was silent for a few years after cutting a one-off cover of Goodnight Irene for Farie in 1959. Charles' reputation as a songwriter continued to grow.

It was the Summer of 1960 when Fats Domino (a.k.a. "fat man") was making hits with Walking to New Orleans, peaking at #6 in July, 1960, in the Top Ten. Clarence "Frogman" Henry did the same early the following year with I Do not Know Why I Love You, But I Do. Clarence first gained fame with the recording of "Ain't Got No Home" in 1957, and "I Don't Know Why But I Do," written by Paul Gayten and Bobby Charles. It went to #4 on the pop charts in March of 1961 for the "Frogman". Frogman was a native of New Orleans and was the opening act for the Beatles for their live concerts in the U.S. during 1964.

Bobby Charles subsequently recorded sides for Hub City (1963), Jewel (1964), and Paula (1965), by which time he was experimenting with country music. Charles had little commercial success of his own, drifting away from the music business for a while. Charles returned in 1972 on the Bearsville label, cutting a self-titled album co-produced by the Band's Rick Danko. In fact, the majority of the Band appeared on the record as supporting musicians, as did Dr. John, David Sanborn, and Amos Garrett.

Bobby Charles did not sell very well, and after recording with Paul Butterfield in 1973, a disenchanted Charles again retreated from music. He appeared with the Band in their 1976 concert film The Last Waltz, joining them on-stage for one song of their final performance. The following year, he returned to Bearsville and recorded another album with Spooner Oldham on piano, but the project was never released.

Charles songs had been recorded by numerous artists from the worlds of blues, rock, country, and soul. A partial list includes Joe Cocker, Delbert McClinton, Lou Rawls, Ray Charles, Tom Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, Etta James, Junior Wells, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Bo Diddley, David Allan Coe, and even UB40.

Have you ever heard of The Walk? It was a Louisiana Swamp Pop / Rhythm & blues song by Bobby Charles. "The Walk" was also covered, recorded and going to an UK Top 40 by the Inmates, a British Pub Rock band with the great singer Bill Hurley on vocal.

In the late 1990's, Charles returned to rural Cajun country to live the quiet life, supported by his songwriting royalties, becoming a local environmental activist.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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