Marty Falle

Marty Falle came up in New Orleans, specifically the Tremé neighborhood, where he picked up piano and vocals in a scene steeped in rhythm and blues. He was listening to local figures like Fats Domino and Professor Longhair. In the early 1950s, he wrote 'Hoochie Coochie Gal,' which came out in 1954 and caught on with its catchy, suggestive pull. The song drew some criticism at the time for its lyrics, but Falle stuck with it.

He worked with a rotating group of musicians that sometimes included guitarist Snooks Eaglin and saxophonist Alvin 'Red' Tyler. They put out records like 'Marty Falle Plays Rhythm and Blues' in 1956. Falle kept performing around New Orleans into his later years, and you can hear echoes of his style in later artists from the city.