Boots Randolph facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Boots Randolph
Randolph performing live March 2000
Background information
Birth name	Homer Louis Randolph III
Also known as	"Boots"
Born	(1927-06-03)June 3, 1927 Paducah, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	July 3, 2007(2007-07-03) (aged 80) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	Nashville sound
Occupation(s)	Saxophonist
Instruments	Saxophone
Labels	RCA Victor, Capitol, Monument
Associated acts	Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins, Jerry Lee Lewis

Homer Louis "Boots" Randolph III (born June 3, 1927 – died July 3, 2007) was a famous American musician. He was best known for his amazing saxophone playing. His most famous song was "Yakety Sax" from 1963. This song later became the well-known theme music for Benny Hill's TV show. Boots Randolph was a very important part of the "Nashville sound" in music for most of his career.

About Boots Randolph

Boots Randolph was born in Paducah, Kentucky, in the United States. He grew up in Cadiz, Kentucky. He went to Central High School in Evansville, Indiana.

Early Life and Music

When Boots was a kid, he learned to play music with his family's band. He wasn't sure how he got the nickname "Boots." Maybe it was to avoid confusion with his dad, who had the same first name. He first played the ukulele and trombone. But then his dad brought home a tenor saxophone. Boots switched to playing the saxophone after that.

Army Service and Early Career

After World War II, Boots Randolph joined the United States Army Band. He played the saxophone, trombone, and vibraphone there. After his time in the Army, he played with a band called Dink Welch's Kopy Kats. This was in Decatur, Illinois, from 1948 to 1954. He then lived in Louisville, Kentucky, for a short time. Later, he went back to Decatur to start his own music group. He left Decatur in 1957.

Working with Famous Artists

Boots Randolph had a career that lasted over forty years. He played in many places and with many famous artists. He performed in pop, rock, jazz, and country music. He played on many songs with Elvis Presley. He also played on the soundtracks for some of Elvis's movies. One popular song he played on was "Return to Sender".

Randolph recorded music for Monument Records in Nashville. He played on Roy Orbison's hit song "Mean Woman Blues" in 1963. He also played on "Little Queenie" by REO Speedwagon. Other songs he played on include "Java" by Al Hirt. He also played on "Turn On Your Love Light" by Jerry Lee Lewis. And he played on "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee. He was often on recordings with guitarist Chet Atkins. They also performed together many times. Early in his career, he sometimes called himself Randy Randolph.

Solo Success

As a solo artist, Boots Randolph had four songs that made it into the Top-100 charts. This was between 1963 and 1967. His most successful song was "Yakety Sax". It reached number 35 on the charts in 1963. It stayed on the charts for nine weeks. Randolph also did well on Billboard Magazine's album charts. He had fourteen albums on the charts between 1963 and 1972. His album Boots With Strings from 1966 reached number 36. It stayed on the chart for almost two years.

Later Years

In 1977, Boots Randolph opened his own successful club. It was in Nashville's Printer's Alley. He also appeared often on the TV show Hee Haw. He was also a member of the Million Dollar Band.

Boots Randolph passed away on July 3, 2007. He died at Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. He had a brain hemorrhage. He had just turned 80 years old one month before. He had a son, a daughter, and four grandchildren. His last solo album, A Whole New Ballgame, came out on June 12, 2007.

Music Albums

Here are some of the albums Boots Randolph released:

• ^A "Boots with Strings" also reached number 3 on Jazz albums. It was also number 21 on R&B albums.
• ^B "Country Boots" reached number 30 on Country albums.

Music Singles

Here are some of the single songs Boots Randolph released:

See also

• The Nashville A-Team

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