Johnny Adams

Johnny Adams, 67, a blues and ballad singer who crossed over from vaudeville-like comedy to gospel music and jazz. A member of the gospel group Soul Revivers in the 1950s in his native New Orleans, he was known for versions of "Precious Lord" and "I Won't Cry" (released originally as "Oh Why"). He worked in relative obscurity until 1983, when he recorded a nine-album series for Rounder Records that featured contemporary blues coupled with jazz standards.

Bobby Charles Louisiana singer and songwriter Bobby Charles, 71, the singer-songwriter who penned such hits as Fats Domino's "Walking to New Orleans,""See You Later Alligator" by Bill Haley and His Comets and "But I Do" by Frogman Henry, died Thursday at his home in Abbeville, La. Charles had diabetes and was in remission from kidney cancer, said his publicist, Karen Johnson, but she did not know the cause of death. He had been living in his native Abbeville since his home in Holly Beach in south Louisiana was destroyed by Hurricane Rita in 2005.

Former jockey and trainer Johnny Adams died at his home in Arcadia Saturday after a long illness. He was 79. Before retiring in 1958, Adams rode for 24 years and finished with 3,270 victories including wins in the 1954 Preakness on Hasty Road and two in the Santa Anita Handicap on Kayak in 1939 and War Knight seven years later.

Johnny Adams, 67, a blues and ballad singer who crossed over from vaudeville-like comedy to gospel music and jazz. A member of the gospel group Soul Revivers in the 1950s in his native New Orleans, he was known for versions of "Precious Lord" and "I Won't Cry" (released originally as "Oh Why"). He worked in relative obscurity until 1983, when he recorded a nine-album series for Rounder Records that featured contemporary blues coupled with jazz standards.

Walking on a tightrope Heading for the twilight zone Where the future never makes it Until the past has gone. --"Walking on a Tightrope" by Percy Mayfield Singer Johnny Adams and singer/songwriter Percy Mayfield both knew the ups and downs of the blues life. Mayfield, who died of a heart attack six years ago at 64, was a major R&B star in the early '50s after his "Please Send Me Someone to Love" became an R&B standard. He also wrote songs like "Hit the Road, Jack" for Ray Charles.

Bobby Charles Louisiana singer and songwriter Bobby Charles, 71, the singer-songwriter who penned such hits as Fats Domino's "Walking to New Orleans,""See You Later Alligator" by Bill Haley and His Comets and "But I Do" by Frogman Henry, died Thursday at his home in Abbeville, La. Charles had diabetes and was in remission from kidney cancer, said his publicist, Karen Johnson, but she did not know the cause of death. He had been living in his native Abbeville since his home in Holly Beach in south Louisiana was destroyed by Hurricane Rita in 2005.

"Louisiana Scrapbook." Rykodisc. If you liked the New Orleans R&B and Cajun sounds in the "The Big Easy," this 62-minute sampler from the Rounder Records catalogue is worth exploring. While not as enticing as the sound track (partially because this set steps away from the strict bayou focus of that LP for other regional jazz and blues sounds), "Scrapbook" is highlighted by the disarming Cajun offerings of Beausoleil, Jo-El Sonnier and D. L.

B.B . . . Albert . . . Freddy. In the royal family of blues, New Orleans singer-guitarist Earl King is easily the least-heralded member. Making his local debut Friday at Cal State Long Beach's Nugget club, this Crescent City crowned head showcased the idiosyncratic instrumental style and the stellar songwriting skills that become a semi-legend most. Picking with his thumb, the self-taught guitarist packs a sackful of original licks.

Event: Long Beach Blues Festival. Performers: Albert Collins, Johnnie Taylor, Bobby (Blue) Bland, Albert King, the Staple Singers, James Cotton, Ruth Brown, the Kinsey Report, Johnny Adams with Walter (Wolfman) Washington, Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials.

Former jockey and trainer Johnny Adams died at his home in Arcadia Saturday after a long illness. He was 79. Before retiring in 1958, Adams rode for 24 years and finished with 3,270 victories including wins in the 1954 Preakness on Hasty Road and two in the Santa Anita Handicap on Kayak in 1939 and War Knight seven years later.

Walking on a tightrope Heading for the twilight zone Where the future never makes it Until the past has gone. --"Walking on a Tightrope" by Percy Mayfield Singer Johnny Adams and singer/songwriter Percy Mayfield both knew the ups and downs of the blues life. Mayfield, who died of a heart attack six years ago at 64, was a major R&B star in the early '50s after his "Please Send Me Someone to Love" became an R&B standard. He also wrote songs like "Hit the Road, Jack" for Ray Charles.

Several artists with ties to the local blues scene have been nominated for W.C. Handy Awards, the blues world's top honors. Winners will be announced today at ceremonies in Memphis. Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, the Riverside-based band that plays regularly in Orange County, is a candidate for blues band of the year in a field that also includes the Charlie Musselwhite Band, Roomful of Blues, Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets and the Smokin' Joe Kubek Band.

Abba is the band that won't go away. The latest in an apparently endless series of reissues of the Swedish band's massively popular late-'70s and early-'80s work has already sold 5 million copies in Europe and is now available in this country. Titled simply "Gold," the PolyGram collection contains 19 tracks, including all but one of Abba's 10 U.S. Top 20 singles. The lineup includes "Dancing Queen," "Take a Chance on Me," "Fernando" and "The Winner Takes It All."