Scatman John was a famous musician who rose to prominence in the 1990s with his unique fusion of scat singing and dance music. He was known for his hit songs “Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)” and “Scatman’s World”, which sold millions of copies worldwide. He was also an inspiration for many people who stutter, as he openly talked about his speech difficulties and how he overcame them through music. However, his life was cut short by lung cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 1998. He died on December 3, 1999, at the age of 57, leaving behind a legacy of music and courage.
Early Life and Career
Scatman John was born as John Paul Larkin on March 13, 1942, in El Monte, California. He had a severe stutter since he learned to speak, which caused him emotional trauma and insecurity. He found solace in music, especially jazz, and learned to play the piano at the age of 12. He was introduced to scat singing, a vocal technique that uses nonsensical syllables to improvise melodies, by listening to records by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. He started to perform as a jazz pianist and vocalist in various clubs and venues, using scat singing as a way to express himself without stuttering.
In 1986, he released his first album, John Larkin, which featured jazz standards and original compositions. He moved to Berlin, Germany, in 1990, where he found a more appreciative audience for his jazz music. He also decided to add singing to his act for the first time, after receiving a standing ovation for his performance at the Cafe Moscow. He was encouraged by his wife Judy, whom he married in 1985, to talk about his stuttering in his music.
Breakthrough as Scatman John
In 1994, he met Manfred Zähringer from Iceberg Records (Denmark), who suggested that he combine scat singing with modern dance music and hip hop effects. Larkin was hesitant at first, fearing that he would be ridiculed and criticized, but he agreed to try it out. He adopted the stage name Scatman John and recorded his first single, “Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)”, with producers Ingo Kays and Tony Catania. The song was a huge success, reaching number one in many countries and selling over six million copies worldwide. It also featured lyrics that addressed his stuttering and encouraged others to overcome their fears and challenges.
He followed up with his second single, “Scatman’s World”, which was also a hit and became the title track of his debut album as Scatman John. The album sold over three million copies worldwide and established him as a global star. He received several awards and nominations for his music, including a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording in 1996. He also became a spokesperson for stuttering organizations and founded the Scatland Foundation in 1996 to support people who stutter.
Final Years and Death
Despite his fame and success, Scatman John faced health problems in the late 1990s. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in the fall of 1998, but he continued to perform and record music despite being advised to rest. He released his third album as Scatman John, Take Your Time, in June 1999. The album featured more personal songs that reflected his struggle with cancer and his gratitude for life.
However, his condition worsened and he was put into a medically induced coma in November 1999. He died on December 3, 1999, at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his wife Judy, his mother Harriet, and his brother Bill. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Malibu.
Legacy
Scatman John left behind a legacy of music that touched millions of people around the world. His songs are still played on radio stations and dance floors today. His story of overcoming his stuttering and achieving his dreams is also an inspiration for many people who face similar challenges. He was honored with several posthumous awards and recognitions for his contribution to music and society. He received the American Speech–Language–Hearing Association’s Annie Glenn Award for outstanding service to the stuttering community in 2000 and was inducted into the National Stuttering Association Hall of Fame in 2002.
Scatman John will always be remembered as a jazz legend who brought joy and hope to many people with his scat singing and dance music.
