A. Leon Burnette and William Hampton
Recorded
April 7, 2014
38:55 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
mby011998
Description
A. Leon Burnette (63) tells his friend William H. Hampton (53) stories about growing up in South Central Los Angeles and becoming part of the music business as a manager.Subject Log / Time Code
LB talks about growing up in Los Angeles near Central Avenue and falling in love with the music scene there. LB and WH swap stories about sneaking in the back doors of clubs to listen to music in LA and Huntsville, respectively. LB talks about the jazz radio station KBCA and its influence on his life.
LB and WH swap stories about their love of the liner notes on vinyl records. LB says that when a new album came out, he would bike across town just to read the credits on it.
LB describes Watts when he was growing up, including the local gangs and community distrust of Los Angeles police.
LB describes attending the Wattstax music festival at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
LB talks about his entry to the music business, through his friends The Johnson Brothers. He was in bands in high school and college, then started working as a roadie and a road manager. LB describes his youth as being surrounded by music. Because he went to an integrated high school, he was exposed to rock as well as jazz and funk, and absorbed it all.
LB talks about taking a bus through the rich areas of LA to go to the movie theaters in Hollywood.
LB lists the music acts he has worked with over his career.
LB outlines becoming a Christian after he moved to Huntsville, and transitioning into work in Christian music and youth work.
Participants
- A. Leon Burnette
- William Hampton