I've always liked Redd Foxx (1922-1991). It doesn't hurt that I share the same birthday (December 9). Now learning new stuff after starting in on Black and Blue: The Redd Foxx Story by Michael Seth Starr (Applause, 2011). So far, I've followed him from St. Louis (family name: Sanford; father and brother's name, Fred) to a black Catholic school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Chicago to Harlem to New Jersey and across country. He's an enterprising (and lucky) survivor all down the line: as "Chicago Red," running buddy with "Detroit Red," subsequently Malcolm X; as singer; as MC; as stand-up comic; and as ladies' man. One of the coolest photos in the book is of Foxx and Malcolm X meeting at Shabazz Restaurant, Harlem, in 1962.
Today's Rune: Wholeness.
2 comments:
I knew who Detroit Red was but never realized he and Chicago Red ran together before they split into different paths.
There's a name I haven't thought of in a long time. ALways enjoyed his comedy.
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