LOUIS ARMSTRONG PHOTO

Below is a newly discovered, one-of-a-kind photo of Louis Armstrong
posing with my good buddy, Richard Freihofer who currently resides in Ozark, Missouri.
Details straight from Richard may be found below the photo.

As to photo: This was taken in the summer of 1967 backstage at the Lowell Showboat in Lowell, Michigan. At the time it was an annual show. We all got on a boat, went up the river, docked in front of the crowd and put on a show. Every year there was a headliner and locals auditioned to be in the back up chorus and dance for the big production numbers.

That year we had Louis Armstrong as the headliner with his band which included Buddy Catlett on bass, Danny Barcelona (who just passed away in April, 2007) on drums, Marty Napoleon on piano, and Jewel Brown on vocals. There was a comedian who I don't remember the name of. We played for I think about five nights. I was in the chorus. We did several songs with Louis. I seem to remember a melody of old songs like, "Waitin' for the Robert E. Lee" and "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans". It was fun, until I started coming down with the flu which was going on when this picture was taken.

To answer your question, the photo was taken by a former girlfriend who shall remain nameless. The camera, which took instant, yet cheesy photos, was a poloroid swinger. You took the picture, pulled out paper very carefully lest you spoil it, then wait 60 seconds and peal off the paper. Then with a little foam brush soaked with chemicals, you wiped the brush across the picture. As you can see, it doesn't hold up too well after 40 years, but then again, who does?

And yes, you can post my photo on your website. Increasing my fame is always welcome. Talk to you soon.