Dr. John will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, 2011 in a gala ceremony held at The Waldorf Astoria in New York and broadcast on Fuse. Joining Dr. John in this year’s induction class are The Alice Cooper Band, Neil Diamond, Darlene Love, and Tom Waits.
A five-time GRAMMY winner, Dr. John is currently nominated for a GRAMMY in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category for ‘Tribal’ (429 Records), his “career-defining” (All Music Guide) new release. In addition, his rendition of Randy Newman’s “Down in New Orleans” is nominated for Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media and the ‘Treme’ soundtrack, to which Dr. John contributes the track “Indian Red,” is also nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.
‘Tribal’ is Dr. John’s funkiest, swampiest record since his iconic 1968 album, ‘Gris Gris,’ and the reviews have been nothing short of spectacular. According to the NY Times, “Dr. John sounds much the same as in his wily youth, singing in a drawling croak and playing piano and organ with a principal stake in rhythm,” and Entertainment Weekly raved that “Dr. John and the Lower 911 still make mystique-dripping grooves sound easy.”
Known to friends and family as Mac Rebennack, Dr. John is widely regarded as New Orleans’ foremost musical ambassador. As “Treme” creator David Simon puts it: “This guy has the whole history of New Orleans music in his head.” Dr. John’s previous album, 2008’s ‘City That Care Forgot,’ won the Grammy for “Best Contemporary Blues Album.” Post-Katrina, Dr. John has emerged as one of the most vocal advocates for rebuilding his beloved city of New Orleans. He continues to dazzle and delight audiences all over the world with his tireless touring.
