1. Homer Louis "Boots" Randolph III was an American musician best known for his 1963 saxophone hit "Yakety Sax", which became the signature tune of The Benny Hill Show.
14 Facts About Boots Randolph
1. 2.
Boots Randolph was born in Paducah, Kentucky, on June 3,1927.
3.
Boots Randolph said a brother gave him the nickname "Boots" to avoid confusion since his father and he had the same first name, though the reason for the nickname choice is unknown.
4.
Boots Randolph started out playing the ukulele and trombone, but switched to tenor saxophone when his father unexpectedly brought one home.
5.
Boots Randolph graduated from Central High School in Evansville, Indiana and served in the United States Army toward the end of World War II, playing saxophone, trombone, and vibraphone in the US Army Band until his discharge in 1946.
6.
Boots Randolph briefly resided in Louisville, Kentucky, before returning to Decatur to start his own group.
7.
Boots Randolph played on many recording sessions with Elvis Presley and performed on soundtracks for a number of Presley's motion pictures, one popular song being "Return to Sender".
8.
Boots Randolph was present on many recordings by guitarist Chet Atkins with whom he often performed.
9.
Boots Randolph was successful on Billboard Magazine's album charts, having fourteen entries between 1963 and 1972.
10.
Boots Randolph often maintained a schedule of over 200 recording and performance commitments annually.
11.
Boots Randolph appeared on numerous television shows including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Jimmy Dean Show.
12.
Boots Randolph married Dee Baker in 1948; they had a son, Randy, and a daughter, Linda.
13.
On July 3,2007, Boots Randolph died at Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
14.
Boots Randolph had celebrated his 80th birthday just one month prior.