Feb 06 2008
Jesse Fuller, One Man Band
Jesse Fuller started his professional music career late in life, when he was unable to find work, after having been a shipyard welder during WWII. Starting out as a street performer, he became quite popular in the San Francisco area and in Los Angeles during the 1950s. He is best known as the author of “San Francisco Bay Blues,” the song that he plays in this film. The Grateful Dead covered several of his songs in the 60s.
This piece of film, from 1963, appears to have been made in Jessee Fuller’s home in Oakland California. In addition to his 12 string guitar, he is playing a harmonica, a kazoo, a high hat and an instrument that he invented, called the “fotdella,” which consists of a sound box with six bass strings, struck by hammers that were activated by foot pedals. He was able to accompany himself in several keys on this instrument while singing and playing his other instruments.
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Oh my he certainly is something. Yet again I have been introduced to a fabulous and talented artist that I have never heard of before.
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I am glad to see you back up.
Hope you have a great week-end:)
Golly gee willikers, Shinade, you’re making me blush.