Finding aid for the Jesse Fuller Collection
Christopher Armstrong
African American Museum & Library at Oakland
659 14th Street
Oakland, California 94612
Phone: (510) 637-0198
Fax: (510) 637-0204
Email: aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
URL: http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/locations/african-american-museum-library-oakland
© 2013
African American Museum & Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.
Finding aid for the Jesse Fuller Collection
Collection number: MS193
African American Museum & Library at Oakland
Oakland, California
- Processed by:
- Christopher Armstrong
- Date Completed:
- 2016-02-26
- Encoded by:
- Christopher Armstrong
© 2013 African American Museum & Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Jesse Fuller collection
Dates: 1971-1976
Collection number: MS193
Creator:
Fuller, Jesse
Creator:
Dobrin, Michael
Collection Size:
.25 linear feet
(1 box)
Repository:
African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Abstract: Jesse Fuller (1896-1976) was born on Jonesboro, Georgia in March 12, 1896. In 1954 Fuller recorded his most notable song,
"San Francisco Bay Blues", and by 1960 Fuller booked a European tour, and devoted himself full time to music. Jesse Fuller
Records consists of newspaper clippings, photographs, and audio recordings.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Access Restrictions
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Publication Rights
Permission to publish from the Jesse Fuller Collection must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.
Preferred Citation
Jesse Fuller collection, MS193, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Acquisition Information
Donated to African American Museum & Library on 11/27/2015 by Michael Dobrin.
Processing Information
Processed by Christopher Armstrong, 02/26/2016.
Biography / Administrative History
Jesse Fuller (1896-1976) was born in Jonesboro, Georgia on March 12, 1896. As a young man he found his way to Los Angeles,
California, where he worked as an extra in films such as The Thief of Bagdad (1924) and East of Suez (1925). By 1929, Fuller
moved to Oakland, California where he married Gertrude Fuller and worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. In the 1950s,
Fuller started to focus on music, preforming as a one man band and calling himself "Lone Cat." On stage Fuller performed with
his guitar, harmonic, kazoo, high hat and a six string bass of his own invention, which he played with his foot. Fuller called
this instrument a "fotdella."
In 1954 Fuller recorded his most notable song, "San Francisco Bay Blues", and by 1960 Fuller booked a European tour, and devoted
himself full time to music. At this time, Fuller played shows alongside rock bands at The Fillmore Auditorium. The first track
off of Bob Dylan's first self-titled release featured a song written by Fuller, "You're No Good." The Grateful Dead's first
album, released in 1967, also featured a song written by Fuller, "Beat it on Down the Line". Fuller was honored with a performance
and exhibit at the Oakland Museum in 1971 before his death in 1976.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Jesse Fuller Collection consists of newspaper clippings, photographs, negatives, and audio recordings. The newspaper clippings
document a concert Fuller preformed at the Oakland Museum’s History’s Department in 1971. The three audio tapes are interviews
recorded by Oakland Museum staff at the home of Jesse Fuller discussing his life and recollections, as well contact sheets
and negatives taken during the preparation for Fuller's performance at the Oakland Museum.
Arrangement
Series I: Oral history interviews. Series II: Photographs. Series III: Newspaper Clippings.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Blues musicians--Interviews.
Blues musicians--California--Oakland--Interviews.
Blues musicians--United States—Biography.
Blues (Music)--California--San Francisco Bay Area.
Fuller, Jesse.
Bibliography
Selvin, Joel, “Jesse Fuller: Arts Heroes of Black History,” San Francisco Chronicle, January 27, 2008, Accessed on 02/26/2016.
Related Material
https://diva.sfsu.edu/collections/sfbatv/bundles/191357
Oral history interviews
Physical Description: 2 reel-to-reel tapes and 1 cassette tape
Series Scope and Content Summary
Three oral history interviews conducted with musician Jesse Fuller.
Arrangement
Arranged by format.
Box 1:1
Interview with blues musician Jesse Fuller, Part I, Side A
1971
Physical Description: Cassette tape
Physical Description: Run Time: 30 (min): 13 (s)
Description
Side A: Silence [00:00]; Inaudible [00:06]; Meeting fan in Piccadilly Circus [01:50]; Working with Douglas Fairbanks [03:10];
Girlfriend [04:25]; Copies of his photographs for museum, Hank movie dog [07:46]; Hank the movie dog [09:45]; Jack and Mary
Pickford [10:20]; Movie set concession stand and shoeshining [11:03]; Buck Jones [11:17]; William Farnum and Dustin Farnum
[11:39]; Working with Douglas Fairbanks [13:04]; William Farnum, trainhopping to California[14:08]; Fodella and his basement
workshop [16:05]; William Farnum [16:44]; William S. Hart in Tumbleweeds (1925) [18:37]; Performing for Douglas Fairbanks[21:19];
Living in Los Angeles [22:53]; Cleaning restaurant in exchange for room and board [23:45]; Selling whittled wooden snakes
for money [24:02]; Fight with roomer from Nova Scotia calling him "nigger"[26:23]; Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey [27:41]; Dancing
the chicken wheel dance for Douglas Fairbanks [28:18]
Box 1:1
Interview with blues musician Jesse Fuller, Part I, Side B
1971
Physical Description: Cassette tape
Physical Description: Run Time: 31 (min): 32 (s)
Description
Side B: Silence [00:00]; Mental abilities since his stroke [00:12]; William Farnum and Dustin Farnum [01:39]; Poster for Jesse
Fuller event at the Oakland Museum [04:00]; Charlie Chaplin [05:30]; Mary Wilma [?] photograph [07:09]; Copyright to song
[08:11]; Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry [09:57];Leadbelly and Billie Holiday [10:26]; Reverand Gary Davis and Merle Travis
[11:47]; Health issues and stroke [13:55]; Railroad watch [14:25]; Magazine articles about Jesse [18:01]; Playing vinyl record,
"Drop out song," musicians Jesse likes and dislikes [19:36]; Paid $50 to go to jail for another man [29:40]
Box 1:2
Interview with blues musician Jesse Fuller, Part II
1971
Box 1:3
Interview with blues musician Jesse Fuller, Part III
1971
Photographs
1971
Physical Description: 69 images
Series Scope and Content Summary
69 images (photographs, negatives, and contact sheets) of Jesse Fuller leading up to and after the time of Jesse Fuller's
Oakland Museum concert in May 1971.
Arrangement
Arranged by photo identification number.
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller in his basement preparing to play the fodella [001]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller in front of his home in West Oakland [002]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller speaking with man and woman in front of his home in West Oakland [003]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller opening door to his house at 1679 11th St, Oakland, California [004]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller entering his house at 1679 11th St, Oakland, California [005]
1971
Box 1:6
Parts on work table in Jesse Fuller's workshop [blurred][006]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller preparing to play the fodella in his basement [007]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller playing guitar in his basement [008]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller playing guitar in his basement [009]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller playing a vinyl record in his living room [010]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller playing a vinyl record in his living room [blurred][011]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller looking through papers on the floor in his living room [013]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller standing on front porch of his house at 1679 11th St, Oakland, California [014]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller playing a vinyl record in his living room [015]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller playing a vinyl record in his living room [016]
1971
Box 1:6
Fireplace mantel in the home of Jesse Fuller [017]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller in his home [018]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller playing a vinyl record in his living room [019]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller playing the fodella in his basement [020]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller preparing to play the fodella in his basement [021]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller preparing to play the fodella in his basement [022]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller preparing to play the fodella in his basement [023]
1971
Box 1:6
Sheet music for "Drop out song" [024]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller playing the fodella in his basement [025]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller playing the fodella in his basement [026]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller playing the fodella in his basement [027]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller [blurred][028]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller reading book [029]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller sitting on sofa reading book [030]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller sitting on sofa [031]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller sitting on sofa [032]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller sitting on sofa [033]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller sitting on sofa [034]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller sitting on sofa smiling [035]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller sitting on sofa [036]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller speaking with tv host and newsman Ray Taliaferro (right) and unidentified man after his concert at the Oakland
Museum [037]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller speaking with tv host and newsman Ray Taliaferro (left) and unidentified man after his concert at the Oakland
Museum [038]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller speaking with tv host and newsman Ray Taliaferro (right) after his concert at the Oakland Museum [039]
1971
Box 1:6
KPIX general manager Al Constant (left) and former museum director John Peetz speaking at Jesse Fuller concert at the Oakland
Museum [040]
1971
Box 1:6
KPIX general manager Al Constant (left) and former museum director John Peetz speaking at Jesse Fuller concert at the Oakland
Museum [041]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller laughing with KPIX general manager Al Constant (left) and former museum director John Peetz during
concert at the Oakland Museum [042]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller speaking with KPIX general manager Al Constant (left) and former museum director John Peetz during
concert at the Oakland Museum [043]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller speaking with KPIX general manager Al Constant (left) and former museum director John Peetz during
concert at the Oakland Museum [044]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller speaking with KPIX general manager Al Constant (left) and former museum director John Peetz during
concert at the Oakland Museum [045]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller speaking with KPIX general manager Al Constant (left) and former museum director John Peetz during
concert at the Oakland Museum [046]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller standing with KPIX general manager Al Constant (left) and former museum director John Peetz during
concert at the Oakland Museum [047]
1971
Box 1:6
KPIX general manager Al Constant (left) and former museum director John Peetz presenting Jesse Fuller with film "Jesse Fuller:
Portrait" during concert at the Oakland Museum [048]
1971
Box 1:6
KPIX general manager Al Constant (left) and former museum director John Peetz presenting Jesse Fuller with film "Jesse Fuller:
Portrait" during concert at the Oakland Museum [049]
1971
Box 1:6
Former museum director John Peetz (left) presenting Jesse Fuller with film "Jesse Fuller: Portrait" during concert at the
Oakland Museum [050]
1971
Box 1:6
KPIX general manager Al Constant (left) speaking with blues musician Jesse Fuller after concert at the Oakland Museum [051]
1971
Box 1:6
Unidentified man standing at parking garage attendant booth [052]
1971
Box 1:6
Underground parking garage [053]
1971
Box 1:6
Woman paying at parking garage attendant booth [054]
1971
Box 1:6
Parking garage attentant reading newspaper [055]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller before his last concert at the Oakland Museum [056]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller before his last concert at the Oakland Museum [057]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller in his home [058]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller in his home [059]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller in his home [060]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller in his home [061]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller in his home [062]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller in his home [063]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller in his home [064]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller in his home [065]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller in his home [066]
1971
Box 1:6
Blues musician Jesse Fuller in his home [067]
1971
Box 1:6
Sheet music for "Drop out song" [068]
1971
Box 1:6
Jesse Fuller (right) standing with unidentified man in front of his house [069]
1971
Newspaper clippings
1971, 1976
Physical Description: 3 newspaper clippings
Series Scope and Content Summary
Three articles about Jesse Fuller.
Arrangement
Arranged by date.
Box 1:5
"A Rare Chance to Hear 'Lone Cat'"; San Francisco Chronicle [reproduction]
Undated
Box 1:5
"Lone Cat Jesse Fuller Dies, 79" Oakland Tribune
January 30, 1976
“A Double Loss for the Blues"
undated
