Dr. John added to University of Florida Performing Arts

August 30, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The legendary Dr. John will perform at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12. Tickets for the event go on sale at noon Aug. 30.

Dr. John, or Mac Rebennack as known to friends and family, is universally celebrated as the living embodiment of the rich musical heritage exclusive to New Orleans. His colorful music career began in the 1950s when he wrote and played guitar on some of the greatest records to come out of the Crescent City, including recordings by Professor Longhair, Art Neville, Joe Tex and Frankie Ford.

Adorned with voodoo charms and regalia, a legend was born with his breakthrough 1968 album “Gris-gris,” which established his unique blend of voodoo mysticism, funk, rhythm & blues, psychedelic rock and Creole roots.

Several of his many career highlights include the masterful album “Sun, Moon and Herbs” in 1971, which included cameos from Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger and 1973’s “In the Right Place,” which contained the chart hits “Right Place Wrong Time” and “Such a Night.” Dr. John garnered Grammy award wins in 1989, 1992, 1996 and 2000. In 2004, his musical love letter to the city of New Orleans, “N’awlinz Dis Dat or D’udda,” was awarded the prestigious Académie Charles Cros 57ème Palmarès award in France. It was the first time since the 1970s that an artist from North America received the award.

In 2008, he released the album “City That Care Forgot,” which deals with various aspects of post-Katrina New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. In 2009, City That Care Forgot won the Grammy for “Best Contemporary Blues Album.”

Ticket prices are $20-40. To purchase tickets, call the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS (2787) or 800-905-ARTS (toll-free within Florida) or call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 (toll-free). Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Phillips Center Box Office, the University Box Office at the University of Florida Reitz Union or from any Ticketmaster outlet, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Cash, checks, MasterCard, Visa and Discover are accepted.

UF students may purchase $15 tickets with a valid student ID at the Phillips Center Box Office and the University Box Office at the Reitz Student Union. Other students may purchase $15 student tickets in the balcony at the Phillips Center Box Office.