Remembering Scatman John
In the 1970s and 1980s, John Larkin established himself as a jazz pianist in Los Angeles, however, it wasn’t until the 1990s that he achieved international fame when he released the worldwide dance hit “Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)” in 1994 under the name Scatman John
Remembering Scatman John
John Paul Larkin, known professionally as Scatman John, was born on March 13, 1942, in El Monte, California. Despite a lifelong stutter, he discovered an early passion for music, learning piano at age 12 and later drawing inspiration from jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. This led him to develop a unique blend of scat singing and jazz piano.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Larkin established himself as a jazz pianist in Los Angeles, releasing a self-titled album in 1986. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s, after relocating to Berlin, Germany, that he achieved international fame. Combining his scat singing with contemporary dance music, he released “Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)” in 1994. The song became a worldwide hit, selling over six million copies and topping charts in multiple countries. His follow-up single, “Scatman’s World,” also enjoyed significant success.
Beyond his musical achievements, Scatman John became an advocate for individuals with speech impediments, using his platform to inspire others to overcome personal challenges. He received the American Speech–Language–Hearing Association’s Annie Glenn Award for his contributions to the stuttering community.
Diagnosed with lung cancer in 1998, Larkin continued to perform and record music until his passing. He died on December 3, 1999, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 57.
Look back at the music video for Scatman John’s 1994 mega hit “Scatman (ski-ba-bop-ba-dop-bop)”
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