Dr. John was born on November 21, 1940, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as
Malcolm Rebbenack. At 13 he decided to become a musician, and was
supported by his family, who themselves were musicians in a small way.
"Mac" dropped out of school in the 11th grade in 1956, at the age of
16, to become a blues piano player. He has become known as "Dr. John,
The Night Tripper" (or "Dr. John", for short) and a prime example of
the "New Orleans Sound" style of blues/jazz. He has received two Grammy
Awards, and is in the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame.
Was the inspiration for the character of "Dr. Teeth", the band leader of "Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem", on Jim Henson's The Muppet Show (1976).
He was originally a guitar player, but after getting his index finger
nearly shot off in an effort to protect band mate and friend Ronnie Barron,
he switched to piano/keyboards.