Piano Legend Johnny Maddox has Died

Johnny Maddox, one of the most recognizable personalities in ragtime history died Tuesday, November 27th, he was 91. He planted the seeds of a ragtime revival that would bloom with the classical revival of ragtime music in the late 60s. Johnny Maddox was born on August 4, 1927 in Gallatin, Tennessee. He learned piano as a toddler from his Aunt Zula Cothron who had played ragtime at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. Maddox began performing publically at age 5 and had a professional career by the time he was 12 years old. He became a nationally recognized star after the release of "St. Louis Tickle" backed with "Crazy Bone Rag" on Dot Records in 1950. It sold 22 thousand copies in just a few weeks. Maddox carried Dot Records, which was owned by his friend Randy Wood, to national prominence, recording a series of hits for them until 1967. His discography runs to over 50 albums and 90 additional singles. In the early 50s, he appeared with major stars from Sophie Tucker to Elvis Presley. He had a hit playing Bob Wills' "San Antonio Rose", bringing the sounds of his piano to millions of ears. He had another major hit with "In The Mood". His sound caught on with the public and by 1954 he had been declared the "Number One Jukebox Artist in America" by the MOA (Music Operators of America). The next year he recorded his biggest hit, a version of "Crazy Ot