THE GREAT BOOTS RANDOLPH

dead at 80

By JOE EDWARDS, Associated Press Writer Tue Jul 3, 6:34 PM ET NASHVILLE, Tenn.

 - Boots Randolph, whose spirited saxophone playing on "Yakety Sax" endeared him to fans for years on Benny Hill's TV show, died Tuesday. He was 80.

Randolph suffered a cerebral hemorrhage June 25 and had been hospitalized in a coma. He was taken off a respirator at Skyline Medical Center earlier Tuesday, said Betty Hofer, a publicist and spokeswoman for the family.

Randolph played regularly in Nashville nightclubs for 30 years, becoming a tourist draw for the city much like Wayne Newton in Las Vegas and Pete Fountain in New Orleans.

He recorded more than 40 albums and spent 15 years touring with the Festival of Music, teaming with fellow instrumentalists Chet Atkins and Floyd Cramer.

As a session musician, he played on Elvis Presley's "Return to Sender," Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman," Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree" and "I'm Sorry," REO Speedwagon's "Little Queenie," Al Hirt's "Java" and other songs including ones by Buddy Holly and Johnny Cash.

In 1963 he had his biggest solo hit, "Yakety Sax," which he co-wrote with guitarist James Rich.

"`Yakety Sax' will be my trademark," Randolph said in a 1990 interview with The Associated Press. "I'll hang my hat on it. It's kept me alive. Every sax player in the world has tried to play it. Some are good, some are awful."

"Yakety Sax" was the name of one of his gold albums and became the theme song for "The Benny Hill Show."

"It rejuvenated the song," Randolph said in 1990. "So many people know it from the show."

He also was part of the Million Dollar Band on the TV show "Hee Haw."

"He not only played just the notes, he caressed them," said longtime "Hee Haw" co-host Roy Clark. "You could hear the words to his instrumentals.

“Randolph was born Homer Louis Randolph in Paducah, Ky., and grew up in the rural community of Cadiz, Ky., where he learned to play music with his family's band.

He said he didn't know where or why he got the nickname "Boots," although his Web site at the time of his death suggested it was to avoid confusion because he and his father shared the same first name.

Randolph began playing the ukulele and then the trombone, but switched to the tenor sax when his father unexpectedly brought one home.

He graduated from high school in Evansville, Ind., then joined the Army and became a member of the Army Band.

After his discharge, he played primarily jazz at nightclubs for $60 a week. He finally landed a recording contract with RCA in Nashville in 1958 and was hired as a musician for recording sessions.

Randolph had his own nightclub in Nashville's Printer's Alley for 17 years, closing it in 1994 because of declining business and to spend more time with his family.

He played regularly at other nightclubs before and after that. He had lived in Nashville since 1961.

Randolph charted 13 albums on the pop charts from 1963 to 1972. His other single hits included "Hey, Mr. Sax Man" in 1964 and "Temptation" in 1967.

"Every time I pick the horn up, it's more intriguing to me," he said. "It satisfies my desire to do whatever I do.

"I think I probably get better because I work so much. You get to a point where you can be lackadaisical or nonchalant. But I'm not like that. I worry if I play a tune bad or my horn is not working right."

Survivors include his wife, a son, a daughter and four grandchildren.

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"Priscilla Presley Announced as Elvis Insiders Conference Guest
On August 14, Priscilla Presley will appear during Day 2 of the Elvis Week 2007
Official Elvis Insiders Conference. Her on-stage interview segment will mark
Priscilla's first-ever participation in the conference. Also just announced for
Elvis Week 2007 is an exciting new event, Elvis Music & Movies at Graceland.
This first-time event will take place on the front lawn of Graceland Mansion on
August 13 and 14, and will feature a live outdoor concert of Elvis music
followed by the screening of an Elvis movie."

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ELVIS TV GUIDES

READ DETAILS AT

 http://www.elvis.com/news/full_story.asp?id=1140

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CRUISE WITH ‘THE KING’ (and his ‘Queen’)!

Friday, April 20, 2007 – Monday, April 23, 2007

 Exciting Cruise Update!

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE BY KATHY WESTMORELAND!

(Elvis’s lead female singer throughout the ‘70’s)

2007 will mark the 30^th anniversary of the passing of Elvis Presley. 
Pittsburgh’s Premiere Elvis entertainer Don Obusek and his wife/manager Hilda wanted to do
something special to honor the life of the world’s greatest entertainer – Elvis Presley.

 To commemorate this event, Don and Hilda have teamed up with MAC Travel
to put together a fabulous 4-day, 3-night cruise to the Bahamas,
aboard Carnival’s Cruise Ship ‘Fascination’. 
We will leave Friday, April 20^th, 2007 and return Monday, April 23, 2007.

While onboard, Don and Hilda will do a ‘meet and greet’ and Don will perform his outstanding
Tribute to the Magic of Elvis’.   Kathy will share her special memories of her time with Elvis. 
She will also be happy to autograph any merchandise that you purchase onboard the ship! 
Kathy will be accompanied by her assistant, June Moore (Elvis Columnist for Suite 101)

Cruise rates start at $384.00 per person, inside stateroom.  This cost covers the cruise, all meals,
taxes and port charges (airfare, transfers, tips and land excursions are an additional charge). 

 To book your cruise, please call
Sheri at MAC Travel 412-875-0055 (Toll Free at 1-800-243-0550). 
Cabins have different bedding arrangements – twin, twin separated, double, etc.
Specify your preference. You can book your airfare with her, or you may book it on your own.
The ship departs from Miami, but you can also fly into Ft. Lauderdale
(which is about a 35 - 40 minute drive from Miami). 

Book now as space is limited!

This particular ‘Cruise with The King (and his ‘Queen’ - and Kathy and June!)
is an exclusive event and can only be booked by MAC Travel!

You will probably need a valid passport.  We’ll let you know as soon as possible.

For further news on the cruise and our other upcoming events,
please periodically visit our website: 

Please join Don and Hilda as they perform their exciting tribute to Elvis, onboard Carnival’s Fascination’.   Share Kathy’s memories and make some new ones.
After the long winter, won’t you deserve a vacation ‘Fit for a King’?
  For an unforgettable vacation, come
experience a special tribute to the

“MAGIC OF ELVIS”!