Friends Sing Out For Johnny Adams Submitted by N.O.V.A. July 2005 Times Picayune 09-19-1998 ************************************************* Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ The scene outside D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home on Thursday night made it clear that it was no ordinary wake unfolding inside. Rhythm and blues legend Ernie Mother In Law K-Does customized van was parked near the entrance. Cyril Neville held court on the sidewalk. In the lobby, Aaron Neville huddled with rhythm and blues guitarist Walter Wolfman Washington and gospel singer Raymond Myles. They had come to honor Johnny Adams, the great rhythm and blues, jazz and soul singer who died of cancer Monday. During 45 years as a world-class vocalist and first-class gentleman, Adams, 66, accumulated many friends and admirers in the local music community. They turned out in droves to celebrate Adams life with a musical tribute Thursday night and a funeral Friday morning. New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival producer/director Quint Davis set the tone Thursday in his eulogy. As it was with the passing of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Mahalia Jackson, Louis (Armstrong), Fess (Professor Longhair) and (James) Booker, Davis said, there is no replacing the true masters. Then the podium alongside Adams open coffin became a concert stage. Adams, The Tan Canary, might have been embarrassed at being compared to Ellington and Armstrong but would have reveled in the show that followed. Scott Billington, the producer of Adams nine most recent albums, local music promoter Merline Kimble and blues and gospel vocalist Marva Wright put together a program that rivaled Jazzfest in its depth and diversity. Aaron Neville, a longtime friend and fan, said, I dedicate this to the best singer in the whole wide world, Mr. Johnny Adams. A murmur of approval rippled through the chapel at Nevilles a cappella version of I Wont Cry, one of Adams early hits. Next up was producer, songwriter and recent Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee Allen Toussaint. Immaculately attired in a brown suit and tie, Toussaint acknowledged Adams ability to impersonate a trumpet or trombone with his voice. Then he rendered Just A Closer Walk With Thee on the electric keyboard, garnishing the timeless anthem with flourishes. Its very hard, very hard, to talk at a time like this, Toussaint said. Instead, his performance served as tribute. The irrepressible Myles had no such problems. Accompanying himself on organ, he launched a deeply funky gospel number, How I Got Over. He playfully chastised the audience when the clapping wasnt enthusiastic enough: I wish I had some church folks in here! He received the extra applause he demanded. Larry McKinley, the veteran local disc jockey and concert promoter who emceed the tribute, had trouble finding anyone who wanted to follow Myles fiery performance. Finally, K-Doe came forward. Johnny had a song he always loved to hear me sing, K-Doe said. Im going to do my best to get through it. Wherever you are, Johnny, I know youre looking down on me. Im still singing your song. He then gripped the microphone tightly and worked his way through I Wonder, which dated from his and Adams days as gospel singers. Neville returned to the podium with Myles on organ and directed the audience to hum a verse of Amazing Grace. The folk duo David & Roselyn did another Amazing Grace on harmonica and acoustic guitar. The Zion Harmonizers applied their rich harmonies to Will the Circle Be Unbroken. Jo Cool Davis took a turn with his own gospel quartet. Then Wright bore down hard on Walk Around Heaven All Day, losing herself in the spirit of the gospel song and nearly collapsing. The audience stilled when Adams son, Terrell Griffin, 30, came up to sing a powerful Eyes On the Sparrow. I sing because I know hes free! Griffin said, to rapturous applause. Many more paid their respects without performing: Dave Bartholomew, the legendary trumpeter, producer and songwriting partner of Fats Domino; Meters bassist George Porter Jr.; Big Chief Bo Dollis of the Wild Magnolias Mardi Gras Indians; Willie T Turbinton, the funk and soul artist; Harold Battiste, founder of AFO Records; and Tommy Ridgley, himself a storied rhythm and blues singer. The sing-along to send Johnny along culminated with blues man J. MonqueD. He belted Since I Laid My Burden Down with the wild abandon of a Baptist preacher, customizing the song to fit the occasion: My friend Johnny Adams dont have to sing the blues no more cause he laid his burden down! Before the song was over, the pews were empty: Everyone had risen to their feet, applauding wildly. Friday mornings funeral was more traditional, but still in keeping with Adams status. Wright, having recovered from her emotional performance the night before, addressed the crowd in the lobby: All musicians who have their horns, please go to the front of the chapel. Aaron Neville, backed by a vocal quartet, sang Never Alone, the gospel standard he and Adams recorded on Adams Man of My Word CD. The Treme Brass Band, led by trumpeter James Andrews, punctuated the service with gospel standards. Then, as mourners filed by the coffin to pay their final respects, the brass chorus picked up the tempo, as if they were leading a second-line parade. Rain cut short the actual second-line outside. But no matter: Adams had already been sent off in style.