While I was off on a recent job, GF sent me a link to an obit. The news was a bit shocking, as the deceased was relatively young and his illness abrupt.
It was doubly so to me, as he was my friend.
Come meet John Berthelot.
Born in 1942 to Rosalie and John Sr., John began his musical studies early, concentrating on the clarinet and the reed family. As a young man, he played saxophone with the popular dance band the Contours, often backing up big names like Smiley Lewis and Ernie K-Doe. Studying composition in college and graduate school, he earned a masters in composition and arranging. His songs "The Roach" and "Dap (Parts I and II)" became classic records of the golden age of New Orleans R&B.
Not long after completing military service, John founded the local record label Great Southern Records, which showcased up and coming New Orleans artists like Spencer Bohren, The Pfister Sisters and Raymond Miles.
But John was more than just a music man and a record man. He also filled the biggest shoes anyone can--he was a teacher, dedicating decades to teaching composition, harmony and performance to two generations of New Orleans public school students. He himself remained a lifelong student as well. His doctoral thesis on the viability of music business education helped pave the way for several successful degreed curricula in the subject in New Orleans universities.
But it was as a record man that I knew him best. In the 1980s, I represented his catalog, along with several others, in promotional/licensing ventures that culminated in the release of several Great Southern titles in Europe. I must have done something right, because, in the late 80s, John asked me to be his partner in one of the truly fun jobs of my life: managing the record tent at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
As a producer, engineer, writer and publicity man, I thought I knew a thing or two about New Orleans music. The record tent showed me just how ignorant I was. Thankfully, John was a limitless source of knowledge. Whenever I encountered an act I didn't know, he would fill me in on every detail of their history, not only their big records, but obscure sides on which one member of the band played a solo on another artist's record. He was, both in his own accomplishments and as a chronicler of others, a true giant of New Orleans music.
Likely, he will not be remembered thus. Names like those he produced and promoted will get the headlines. Artists with barely a fragment of his knowledge of music and music history will be second-lined through the streets.
But those who know this town, and the rich history of music that is its trademark, know.
A great one has passed. Off hats and up horns.
The obit from the Times-Pic can be found here. Offbeat has a very kind notice in the current issue as well.