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Homer Louis "Boots" Randolph III (June 3, 1927 – July 3, 2007) was an American musician best known for his 1963 saxophone hit, "Yakety Sax." Randolph was a major part of the "Nashville Sound" for most of his professional career.
Randolph was born in Paducah, Kentucky and raised in Cadiz, Kentucky, attending high school in Evansville, Indiana.[1]
At the end of World War II, Boots Randolph played saxophone, trombone, and vibraphone in the United States Army Band. After his service in the Army, he played with Dink Welch`s Kopy Kats in Decatur, Illinois from 1948-1954. He briefly resided in Louisville, Kentucky before returning to Decatur to start his own group. He left Decatur in 1957. [2]
During his more than forty year career, Randolph performed in hundreds of venues alongside many artists in pop, rock, jazz, and country music. He played on many recording sessions with Elvis Presley and also performed on soundtracks for a number of Presley`s motion pictures.
Mr. Randolph recorded for Monument Records in Nashville and played on Roy Orbison`s 1963 hit, "Mean Woman Blues." [2] He was also featured on "Little Queenie" by REO Speedwagon, "Java" by Al Hirt, "Turn On Your Lovelight" by Jerry Lee Lewis, and "Rockin` Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee. Early in his career, he often billed himself as Randy Randolph.
In 1977, Randolph opened a successful club of his own in Nashville`s "Printer`s Alley." He also frequently appeared on the television program Hee Haw, and was a member of the Million Dollar Band.
On July 3, 2007, Randolph died at Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, after suffering a brain hemorrhage.[2] He was 80 years old.
His final solo studio album A Whole New Ballgame was released June 12, 2007.
Biography Credit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boots_Randolph
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As a child, he learned to play music with his family`s band. He wasn`t sure where or why he acquired the nickname "Boots", although it may have served to avoid confusion since his father and he had the same first name. He started out playing the ukulele and trombone, but switched to tenor saxophone when his father unexpectedly brought one home.
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