Jesse Fuller collection, 1971-1976

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Summary

Creators:
Fuller, Jesse and Dobrin, Michael
Abstract:
Jesse Fuller (1896-1976) was born on Jonesboro, Georgia in March 12, 1896. In 1954 Fuller recorded his most notable song, "San Francisco Bay Blues", and by 1960 Fuller booked a European tour, and devoted himself full time to music. Jesse Fuller Records consists of newspaper clippings, photographs, and audio recordings.
Extent:
.25 linear feet (1 box)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Jesse Fuller collection, MS193, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Jesse Fuller Collection consists of newspaper clippings, photographs, negatives, and audio recordings. The newspaper clippings document a concert Fuller preformed at the Oakland Museum’s History’s Department in 1971. The three audio tapes are interviews recorded by Oakland Museum staff at the home of Jesse Fuller discussing his life and recollections, as well contact sheets and negatives taken during the preparation for Fuller's performance at the Oakland Museum.

Biographical / historical:

Jesse Fuller (1896-1976) was born in Jonesboro, Georgia on March 12, 1896. As a young man he found his way to Los Angeles, California, where he worked as an extra in films such as The Thief of Bagdad (1924) and East of Suez (1925). By 1929, Fuller moved to Oakland, California where he married Gertrude Fuller and worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. In the 1950s, Fuller started to focus on music, preforming as a one man band and calling himself "Lone Cat." On stage Fuller performed with his guitar, harmonic, kazoo, high hat and a six string bass of his own invention, which he played with his foot. Fuller called this instrument a "fotdella."

In 1954 Fuller recorded his most notable song, "San Francisco Bay Blues", and by 1960 Fuller booked a European tour, and devoted himself full time to music. At this time, Fuller played shows alongside rock bands at The Fillmore Auditorium. The first track off of Bob Dylan's first self-titled release featured a song written by Fuller, "You're No Good." The Grateful Dead's first album, released in 1967, also featured a song written by Fuller, "Beat it on Down the Line". Fuller was honored with a performance and exhibit at the Oakland Museum in 1971 before his death in 1976.

Acquisition information:
Donated to African American Museum Library on 11/27/2015 by Michael Dobrin.
Processing information:

Processed by Christopher Armstrong, 02/26/2016.

Arrangement:

Series I: Oral history interviews. Series II: Photographs. Series III: Newspaper Clippings.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish from the Jesse Fuller Collection must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.

Preferred citation:

Jesse Fuller collection, MS193, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Location of this collection:
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612, US
Contact:
(510) 637-0198
aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
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