Boots Randolph

Homer Louis “Boots” Randolph III (June 3, 1927 – July 3, 2007) was an American musician best known for his 1963 saxophone hit, “Yakety Sax”. Randolph was a major part of the “Nashville Sound” for most of his professional career.

Randolph was born in Paducah, Kentucky and raised in Cadiz, Kentucky, attending high school in Evansville, Indiana.

At the end of World War II, Boots Randolph played saxophone, trombone and vibraphone in the United States Army Band. After his service in the Army, he played with Dink Welch’s Kopy Kats in Decatur, Illinois from 1948-1954. He briefly resided in Louisville, Kentucky before returning to Decatur to start his own group. He left Decatur in 1957.

During his more than forty year career, Randolph performed in hundreds of venues alongside many artists in pop, rock, jazz, and country music. He played on several albums with Elvis Presley and also performed on soundtracks for a number of Presley’s motion pictures.

Mr. Randolph recorded for Monument Records in Nashville and played on Roy Orbison’s 1963 hit, “Mean Woman Blues.” He was also featured on “Little Queenie” by REO Speedwagon, “Java” by Al Hirt, “Turn On Your Lovelight” by Jerry Lee Lewis, and “Rockin’ ‘Round The Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee.

In 1977, Randolph opened a successful club of his own in Nashville’s “Printers Alley.” He also frequently appeared on the television program “Hee Haw”.

On July 3, 2007, Randolph died at Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was 80 years old.