Biography

Boots Randolph was born on June 3, 1927 in Paducah, Kentucky, USA. He was an actor, known for V for Vendetta (2005), Before Sunrise (1995) and Bad Santa (2003). He was married to Dee Baker. He died on July 3, 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

Saxophonist. Biggest hit was "Yakety Sax" in 1963.

Has a son, a daughter and four grandchildren.

During his career, he recorded more than 40 albums, and played in Nashville nightclubs regularly for 30 years. He had his own nightclub for 17 years, closing it in 1994.

After high school, he joined the Army and became a member of the Army Band. After his Army service, he played mostly jazz at nightclubs for $60 a week. He landed a recording contract with RCA in 1958. He was also a session player for many stars, including Elvis Presley (on "Return to Sender"), Roy Orbison (on "Oh, Pretty Woman"), Brenda Lee ("I'm Sorry" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"), Al Hirt ("Java"), and REO Speedwagon ("Little Queenie").

As a child, he learned to play music with his family's band. He wasn't sure where or why he acquired the nickname "Boots", although it may have served to avoid confusion since his father and he had the same first name. He started out playing the ukulele and trombone, but switched to tenor saxophone when his father unexpectedly brought one home.

[1990, in an AP interview] "Yakety Sax" will be my trademark. 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.