Air Week: September 3-9, 2018

Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers

This week’s “Juke In The Back” is dedicated to one of the true unsung heroes of 1940s and ’50s rhythm & blues, Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers. The group is mostly remembered as the springboard for vocalist/pianist Charles Brown and today they are generally only recognized for their 1946 smash, “Driftin’ Blues.” However, back in the late 1940s, The Three Blazers scored R&B hit after hit. Between Johnny Moore’s influential guitar licks and Charles Brown’s tasty piano, The Three Blazers were at the top of their genre. However, their sound fell out of favor as soon as the blues shouters and jump blues combos took over, setting the stage for the coming rock n’ roll explosion. Their first records were made for the tiny Atlas label in 1944 and featured an uncredited Frankie Laine on vocals. They then backed up Ivory Joe Hunter in 1945, before Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers hit the bigtime in 1946. Matt The Cat will cover Johnny Moore’s years with Charles Brown as well as those following Brown’s departure. This week’s “Juke In The Back” is the definitive look at Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers, vintage R&B icons.

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