Pete Fountain (1983)
Louisiana Legends
Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Interview
Place Covered: New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 1983-05-01
Duration: 00:26:39
Subjects: Fountain, Pete | Music | JAZZ | Clarinetists | Fazola, Irving, 1912-1949 | Goodman, Benny, 1909-1986 | Hirt, Al | Lawrence Welk show (Television program) | Tonight show (Television program)
Contributors:
- Weill, Gus Host
- Fowler, Ken Producer
- Breazeale, Kathryn Producer
- Fountain, Pete Interviewee
Description
This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from May 1, 1983, features an interview with Pete Fountain conducted by Gus Weill. Fountain, a native of New Orleans, is a world renowned jazz clarinetist. He discusses: hearing music coming out of the clubs as a child; taking clarinet lessons to treat his bad lungs; his first professional gig at age 15; the influence of clarinetists Irving Fazola and Benny Goodman; his time working in pest control with Al Hirt; his time on the Lawrence Welk Show; his performances at the Hilton in New Orleans; his love of New Orleans; the experience of playing in Las Vegas; the experience of playing on the Tonight Show; and his car collection. He also plays a song on his clarinet.