Tommy Tucker - Hi-Heel Sneakers (1964)
HI-HEEL SNEAKERS – USA Chess/ UK Pye RnB
Tommy Tucker had one almighty hit in early 1964 with Hi-Heel Sneakers which was in fact recorded in 1962. The excellent, much copied guitar intro was played by Dean Young.
Hi-Heel Sneakers was copied by just about everyone at the time, the most notable being the Rolling Stones version. There was also an answer-back version – Slip in Mules (No Hi Heel Sneakers) by Sugar Pie Desanto and yet another by Dean And Jean.
He toured the UK appearing at the Odeon in Manchester in 1964. It headlined by either The Animals or Chuck Berry.
Robert Higginbotham his real name was the piano man in Louisiana Red’s backing group.
It was Herb Abramson who produced Hi Heel Sneakers and leased the song to CHESS for distribution.
Long Tall Shorty was written by Don Covey. Another song from Mr Tucker released in the UK on The London Label was Oh What A Feeling.
His ‘Shorty’ concept created a follow up : I’m Shorty.
Born 5th March 1933 – Springfield Ohio
Died 17th January 1982 – Newark, New Jersey
Real name Robert Higginbotham
Tommy Tucker – Wikipedia