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Rich Layton collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0744
Finding aid note: Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Content Description

This collection consists of photographs, audio, news clippings, and poster/fliers documenting the Houston career of Rich Layton.

Dates

  • 1978 - 1997

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research.

Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish from this material must be obtained from Rich Layton or the other musicians who created the work.

Biographical / Historical

Growing up in Houston, Rich Layton fronted a junior high garage band, attended Lightnin’ Hopkins’ concerts at the Jewish Community Center and was heavily influenced by the various musical styles the bayou city had to offer. Ready for another Lone Star music adventure, he headed to Austin for college and earned a degree in Radio, Film and Television from the University of Texas.

While in Austin, he began playing harmonica with then-girlfriend Lucinda Williams. Lu convinced him to move back to Houston to join the burgeoning music scene at Anderson Fair Retail Restaurant in Montrose, where he became the house harmonica player.

In 1979, Rich joined Rock Romano to form "Dr. Rockit,” the city’s legendary rockin’ blues party band. Adding the Sisters of Mercy, the band played regularly in Houston, throughout Texas and along the Gulf Coast in the early to mid 1980s. Throughout this time, he continued to play with other performers in the area and beyond, including Buckwheat Zydeco, Rocky Hill and Alan Haynes. In 1984, he was named one of five Texas Harmonica Tornados by "Buddy Magazine."

In 1996, Rich moved to Portland and broke into the NW music scene. In 2003, he formed Rich Layton and The Troublemakers. The band has released two albums to date – "Chop Shop Pit Stop" and "Tough Town.”

Extent

2 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

5.92 Gigabytes (Nearline access: MS0744aip_001 (5.92 GB))

1.68 Gigabytes (Nearline access: MS0744aip_002 (1.68 GB))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

This collection consists of photographs, audio, news clippings, and poster/fliers documenting the Houston career of Rich Layton.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Rich Layton in August 2017.

Subjects

Record Groups

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Rich Layton collection, 1978-1997
Status
Completed
Author
Norie Guthrie
Date
2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

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Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892