1972 Dr John – Iko Iko (US:#71)
“Iko Iko” is a much-covered New Orleans song that tells of a parade collision between two tribes of Mardi Gras Indians and the traditional confrontation. The song, under the original title “Jock-A-Mo”, was written and released in 1953 as a single by James “Sugar Boy” Crawford and his Cane Cutters but it failed to make the charts. The song first became popular in 1965 by girl group the Dixie Cups, who scored an international hit with “Iko Iko”. In 1967, as part of a lawsuit settlement between Crawford and the Dixie Cups, the trio were given part songwriting credit for the song. In 1972, Dr John had a minor hit with his version of “Iko Iko”.
New Orleans singer and pianist Dr. John covered “Iko Iko” in 1972 for his fifth studio album Dr John’s Gumbo. Released as a single in March 1972 on Atco Records, his version of the song charted at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was produced by Jerry Wexler and Harold Battiste. The “Iko Iko” story, is told by Dr John in the liner notes to his 1972 album, Dr John’s Gumbo, in which he covers New Orleans R&B classics
Album
Dr. John‘s Gumbo released in 1972 is the fifth album by New Orleans singer and pianist Dr. John (Mac Rebennack), a tribute to the music of his native city. The album is a collection of covers of New Orleans classics, played by a major figure in the city’s music. It marked the beginning of Dr. […]
Musicians
| Bass | Jimmy Calhoun |
| Percussion | Fred Staehle |
| Guitar | Alvin Robinson |
| Guitar | Ken Klimak |
| Electric Piano | Ronnie Barron |
| Organ | Ronnie Barron |
| Piano | Mac Rebennack |
| Cornet | Melvin Lastie |
| Sax | David Lastie |
| Sax | Harold Battiste |
| Sax | Lee Allen |
| Sax | Moe Bechamin |
| Sax | Sidney George |
| Percussion | Richard Washington |
| Guitar | Alvin Robinson |
| Background Vocals | Jessie Smith |
| Background Vocals | Moe Bechamin |
| Background Vocals | Robbie Montgomery |
| Background Vocals | Ronnie Barron |
| Background Vocals | Shirley Goodman |
| Background Vocals | Tami Lynn |
| Vocals | Mac Rebennack |
Produced By
Harold Battiste
Jerry Wexler
Songwriters
James Crawford
Charts
US:#71
UK:# –