RIP Chuck Carbo

[BDBopper]

I regret to pass along the death of Chuck Carbo, lead singer of New Orleans DooWop group, The Spiders.

CHUCK CARBO, “THE VOICE OF NEW ORLEANS”, DIES AT 82

Todd Baptista

Hayward “Chuck” Carbo, “The Voice of New Orleans” and original lead singer of the 1950s R&B vocal group, the Spiders, died in New Orleans, Louisiana on Friday, July 11, 2008 at age 82. The cause of death was bone cancer, according to Patricia Sorina, the singer’s granddaughter. Carbo had also recently begun suffering the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Born in Houma, Louisiana on January 11, 1926, one of eight children born to Baptist Church pastor Henry and Anna Carbo, Chuck grew up in New Orleans and was influenced by the Golden Gate Quartet and the King Cole Trio. In early 1943, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, and served in the invasions at Anzio and Normany during World War II. After spending three years living in Indianapolis, he returned to New Orleans in 1948 and formed the Veteran Gospel Singers. In 1950, he joined the local Zion City Harmonizers.

Carbo, his brother, Leonard “Chick” Carbo (1927-1998), Joe Maxon, Matthew West, and pianist Henry Wicks, eventually changed their name to the Delta Southernaires and landed a regular radio slot on WWEZ in the city in 1952. Referred by a local talent scout to Cosimo Matassa’s seminal J&M Studio in the fall of 1953, the group- minus Wicks- was offered an opportunity to record for the Los Angeles-based Imperial label under the supervision of noted bandleader, songwriter, and producer Dave Bartholomew, who had played a crucial role in Fats Domino’s success.

Taking the name the Spiders, a moniker suggested by Chuck’s wife, Gloria, their initial release, pairing the rocking “I Didn’t Want To Do It” with the bluesy ballad, “You’re The One”, brought the group national fame, with both sides hitting Billboard’s R&B chart in early 1954. The group toured the country on the strength of their debut hit, headlining at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater in May, 1954. “The place was packed,” Carbo recalled in a 1997 interview. “They had people lined up all around the corner. I remember Joe Turner came on before us and was singing ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’. The cr owd was hollering, ‘We want the Spiders!’ When we finally came on stage and were doing ‘I Didn’t Want To Do It’, they were standing in the aisles and the police were carrying them away. In the window, where they had our pictures, people broke the glass and took the pictures. That was a show!”

The group’s third release, “I’m Slippin’ In”, reached #6 on the R&B chart in the summer of 1954. Soon after, dissention set in, and several members left. After the death of his young son in late 1954, Carbo left to pursue a solo career while Chuck’s brother, Leonard, became the group’s new lead. Chuck and the original group reunited to record “Witchcraft”, a #5 R&B hit, in 1955. The reunion was short-lived, and later Spiders’ discs, including “That’s My Desire”, featured just Chuck singing with Joe Gaines of the Hawks.

After a pair of solo singles for Imperial in 1957, Chuck teamed with Mac Rebennack, who later took the stage name Dr. John, and recorded a half-dozen singles for Rex, Ace, and Teem between 1959 and 1963. After a couple of additional singles for small labels including one with Huey “Piano” Smith and the Clowns, he retired to focus his attention on his family of ten children, working as a dump truck driver.

In 1982, Chuck appeared at a WWOZ benefit concert in New Orleans and began performing again, cutting his first solo LP, Life’s Ups and Downs, for the 504 label in 1989. “Meet Me With Your Black Drawers On” became a regional hit for the then 63 year-old, and a contract with Rounder Records followed. With the assistance of Dr. John and the late arranger Edward Frank, two critically acclaimed CDs, 1993’s Drawers Trouble, and The Barber’s Blues, issued in 1996, furthered Carbo’s reputation with a successful blend of blues, R&B, rock, and gospel. The Spiders’ complete Imperial catalog was issued by the German-based Bear Fa mily labels on a double CD set in 1992.

In 1999, Carbo was inducted into the United in Group Harmony Association Hall of Fame in New York City. Hurricane Katrina virtually destroyed Chuck’s 9th Ward home and personal possessions, and the family has worked tirelessly ever since to rebuild and return to the city. In a 1982 interview, Bartholomew praised Carbo, stating “He had a natural voice; and he’s a hell of a personality. I would say Carbo had the best voice to come out of New Orleans in the last 30 years.” “When I sing, I’m Chuck Carbo,” the singer remarked in 1997, “and I don’t try to copy anybody else. & lt; /SPAN>I’m glad my fans responded to that. To me, they are the greatest. I love them all.” Survivors include his wife of over 60 years, Gloria, and numerous children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

On a personal note, my 15 year friendship with Chuck was a true joy and Blessing. I was honored to be able to profile Chuck’s life and career in my book, Group Harmony: Echoes of the Rhythm and Blues Era, in 2001, and again in 2007. I cherish vivid memories of his performance at a book release party in nearby Fairhaven, MA in the spring of 2001. With a long-standing fear of flying, Chuck opted to travel 20-plus hours by train to Massachusetts, and delivered an enjoyable show featuring some of his solo sides, classics from his Rounder CDs including a breathtaking “The Very Thought Of You”, and se veral of his Spiders favorites, with vocal backing from members of the G-Clefs and the Harptones. The deal was sealed with his word and a handshake, and Chuck suggested a fee that was less than I was paying the band. He said because of our friendship, he couldn’t ask for a dollar more, even when it was offered.

When his arranger, Edward Frank, died in 1997, Chuck told me, “Don’t worry about Edward Frank. I’d bet right now he’s arranging Gabriel’s trumpet section.” As I reflect on my own friendship with Chuck Carbo, a kind man with a true gentle soul, I’d just bet that Frank has already sketched out the charts on a half-dozen tunes his old friend is ready to sing.

I have loved and admired his music for a long time and I feel completely blessed to have met this talented man when he was inducted into the UGHA (United In Group Harmony) Hall of Fame back in 2002. He was floored that a 19 year old (my age at the time) recognized him and loved his music. I am honored to have met him, shook his hand, and got his autograph. Farewell Chuck! While your music is lost to most ears I will make sure it is preserved!