<back - DOC POMUS - Born 1925 in New York City, Jerome Solon Felder later adopted the sobriquet Doc Pomus after deciding to become a Blues shouter at 18, flipping out over a Big Joe Turner record. His staggering compositional contributions to the Blues, Jazz, and R&B canons are of legendary proportions. Book-ended between his Blues-drenched formative period and his post Hit-Parade years was a rocket ride to the commercial stratosphere. From 1958 until 1965, along with partner Mort Shuman, a procession of immensely popular tunes was rolled out with frequency.

Including a sizeable chunk of Elvis Presley's hits, including Her Latest Flame, Little Sister, Kiss Me Quick, Viva Las Vegas. Then the massive sellers written for The Drifters in the 60s. Save The Last Dance, I Count The Tears, and Sweets For My Sweet. Ensconced in New York's Brill Building, Pomus/Shuman magically grasped the musical yearnings of their targeted demographic, with songs such as Dion (Teenager in Love), Fabian (Turn Me Loose), Bobby Darin (Plain Jane), Gary US Bonds (Seven-Day Weekend), Charlie Rich (Pictures and Paintings). Although crippled by childhood polio, he'd sung at thousands of clubs, while also recording for Savoy, Apollo, and Chess (check Alley Alley Blues) Prior to Shuman, Pomus had already penned two bona-fide classics: Boogie Woogie Country Girl (1956) for his idol Joe Turner, and Lonely Ave (1958) for Ray Charles. It ranks as a watershed achievement: In its wake, R&B had to be considered a legitimate art form. An extremely fruitful collaboration with Mac Rebennack (aka Dr. John) would begin. 1978's City Lights album for Dr. John that included the splendid title track, and other beauties like He's A Hero and Dance The Night Away With You. Other beneficiaries of the Pomus renaissance included Jimmy Witherspoon, Irma Thomas, Ray Charles, and Johnny Adams. Doc also co-produced Roomful of Blues debut in 1977, while also playing a crucial role in the Joe Turner/ Roomful of Blues project in 1983. Doc helped found the R&B Foundation in 1988, in righteous indignation over the injustices perpetrated on Big Joe Turner, who died broke even though he made millions for others. To appreciate the full scope of the final chapter of the Pomus saga, it's imperative to seek out The Real Me-The Songs of Doc Pomus, performed by Johnny Adams. Elegance spiced up by a touch of grit, and instant classics like Still In Love and The Night Is A Hunter. Just prior to his 1991 death, Doc would hear this masterpiece by his best-ever interpreters. Till The Night Is Gone, this tribute is a rarity, featuring Los Lobos, Ray Charles, BB King, and more. In 1992, Doc Pomus was elected to the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame.-Gary Tate/ MP3- Alley Alley Blues | Still in Love |