Description George Rodrigue (American/Louisiana, 1944-2013), "Bobby Charles", oil on canvas, signed lower right, signed, titled and "George Rodrigue Gallery" card en verso, 30 in. x 24 in., framed. Note: Robert Charles Guidry (1938-2010), known as Bobby Charles, was born in Abbeville, LA and pioneered the south Louisiana musical genre ?swamp pop.? He wrote hits such as ?Walking to New Orleans? (recorded by Fats Domino) and ?See Ya? Later Alligator? (recorded by Bill Haley and the Comets). Charles appeared at the legendary ?Last Waltz? concert in 1976, where he performed ?Down South in New Orleans? with The Band and Dr. John. Charles returned to the studio in 1987, recording an album called Clean Water - the same year George Rodrigue created the portrait on offer here, which was utilized as the cover image of the record. According to Rodrigue, Charles wanted to be immortalized not just through his music, but also with an image of the strongest and longest love he had ever known ? maternal love. Behind the adult Bobby in a rocking chair with his guitar (most likely inspired by a famous photograph of Charles in the collection of the Louisiana State Museum), Rodrigue painted the baby Bobby swaddled in the arms of his mother. Ref.: Rodrigue, Wendy. ?Who Dat! ?. Plus Voodoo, Cow Heads, and DC Mardi Gras.? Life & Legacy: Musings of an Artist?s Wife. Jan. 25, 2010. www.wendyrodrigue.com. Accessed Oct. 15, 2019.
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