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D
ave Bartholomew, a true giant of R&B and one of the pioneers of rock’n’roll, passed away in New Orleans on 23 June at 100 years of age. Aside from writing over 4,000 songs in his lifetime including huge hits such as Ain’t That A Shame written alongside long-term collaborator Fats Domino – and being inducted into both the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and the Songwriters Hall Of Fame, Bartholomew also provided Chuck Berry with his one and only No.1 hit, the novelty song My Ding-A-Ling.
Born in Edgard, Louisiana, in 1918, Bartholomew followed in his musician father’s footsteps and picked up the trumpet aged five before progressing to become a sought-after trumpet player on the big band circuit, and later becoming a bandleader and arranger. After military service, he formed Dave Bartholomew and The Dew Droppers and in 1949 released his debut LP, scoring an R&B hit single with Country Boy. Best-known for his lucrative 14-year tenure working with Fats, Bartholomew also worked with the likes of Lloyd Price, Smiley Lewis, Shirley & Lee and countless others.