CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE
“Champagne Charlie” is a music hall song from the 19th century composed by Alfred Lee with lyrics by George Leybourne. Leybourne popularised the song which premièred in August 1866 at the Princess’ Concert Hall in Leeds. It was one of Leybourne’s most famous songs, and he would later be nicknamed Champagne Charlie. (More from Wikipedia)
If anything, Leon Redbone had an even more stylized appearance than Tiny Tim; and he became known for his performances of old songs like “Champagne Charlie”, “My Walking Stick” and “Shine On Harvest Moon” in a creaky voice while playing a guitar. Though his was basically a novelty act also, Redbone got a lot more respect. Bob Dylan for one was impressed when he performed at the Maricopa Folk Festival in the early 1970’s; and Rolling Stone magazine praised his singing as “so authentic you can hear the surface noise [of an old 78 rpm].” Like Tiny Tim, Leon Redbone was also a frequent guest on the Tonight Show as well as Saturday Night Live.
(March 2013)
