Hamp Swain

Hamp Swain (1929–2018), nicknamed "King Bee" after the Slim Harpo song "I'm a King Bee," was a popular disc jockey on WIBB AM 1280 in Macon, Georgia, starting in 1957. In 1954 he became the city's first black DJ when he began working for WBML AM 1350.[1]

Born in Macon, he attended college for a short time before working as an insurance agent for Atlanta Life[2] and playing saxophone in his own band, the Hamptones, which occasionally featured high school friend Little Richard on vocals.[1] The Hamptones performed at the famed Cavalcade of Jazz concert held in Los Angeles at Wrigley Field on July 10, 1949 and in San Diego's Lane Field on September 3, 1949 which were both produced by Leon Hefflin, Sr.[3] Swain helped give James Brown his big break by being the first DJ to play "Please, Please, Please" on the radio in 1956.[1] He also hosted "The Teenage Party," a talent competition won by local singer Otis Redding several times.[1] Swain started his own record label in Macon in the late '60s, Jar-Val,[4] named after two of his children, Jarvis and Valencia.[5]

Swain was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame on September 13, 2008.[6] He died of natural causes on May 8, 2018, in Macon, at the age of 88.[1]

References
  1. Fabian, Liz (May 9, 2018). "Macon DJ who helped launch Otis Redding, James Brown, Little Richard, dies at age 88". Macon.com. The Telegraph. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  2. Guralnick, Peter (1986). Sweet Soul Music: Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom. Harper & Row. ISBN 9780316199438. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  3. “Star Studded Show At Wrigley Field Sunday, July 10th” Article The California Eagle June 30, 1949.
  4. "Jar-Val Records". Discogs. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  5. "Matt & Robert". Sir Shambling's Deep Soul Heaven. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  6. "Hamp Swain to Be Honored by GMHOF". All Access Music Group. July 17, 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
Bibliography


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