Piano Red

Born Willie Perryman in 1911 in Hampton, Georgia (died 1985 in Atlanta, Georgia), Piano Red was a boisterous, heavy-handed barrelhouse pianist and post-war R&B vocalist. The younger brother of blues pianist Speckled Red, he was born with albinism and became a massive local draw in the Atlanta club scene. Recording for RCA Victor in the early 1950s, hits like "Rockin' with Red" and "Red's Boogie" showcased his aggressively rhythmic, pounding piano style and shouted vocals. Later adopting the persona "Dr. Feelgood" and hosting a popular Atlanta radio show, Piano Red's music was a direct, high-energy precursor to rock and roll, proving that the raw, acoustic barrelhouse blues of the pre-war era could successfully transition into the electrified R&B market.