The Legendary Claudettes from Chicago with Johnny Iguana

About this episode

Darrell Craig Harris interviews Johnny Iguana of The Claudettes about their unique sound and musical journey.

In this Music Matters episode host Darrell Craig Harris speaks with The Claudettes prolific bandleader, composer, and producer Johnny Iguana from his home in Chicago. Johnny has toured and recorded with a long list of legends in the blues and rock world including members of The Rolling Stones! The Claudettes: Six albums into their lauded career, the Claudettes (of Chicago) continue to put a fascinating new spin on American roots music. Blues and R&B are laced with punk spirit and film-noir moods to create the band's singular "garage cabaret" sound. The Claudettes have earned worldwide acclaim with their recordings and concerts that are equal parts heart, musicianship and theatrical flair. Force-of-nature vocalist Rachel Williams (who dominates the stage like a glam-rock rebirth of Annie Lennox) and renowned pianist/songwriter Johnny Iguana join the positively heroic rhythm section of Zach Verdoorn (bass, guitar, vocals) and Michael Caskey (drums). Outside the Claudettes, Iguana has toured with Junior Wells and Otis Rush, played on many Grammy-nominated albums and recorded with Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Derek Trucks, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Johnny Winter and more. Johnny…

People in this episode

Host: Darrell Craig Harris

Guest: Johnny Iguana

Topics covered

• blues
• rock music
• American roots music
• garage cabaret
• music production
• interviews

Keywords

• The Claudettes
• Johnny Iguana
• blues
• garage cabaret
• American roots music
• music interview
• Chicago music

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Claudettes, Delmark Records, FX/Hulu

Books & works: The Bear

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