This photograph utterly fascinates me. I just keep staring at it wondering what that negro is doing laying on the stage like that. He's certainly got cakes, and it looks like he's dry-humping the stage, but something tells me he wouldn't go that far in front of all those white folks. Look at the non-chalant faces of those white chicks trying to act like they ain't into all that, but the guys certainly seem to be enjoying it, don't they?
But what do I know? I certainly don't know much about Georgeous George other than the fact that he was a master of ceremonies EXTRAORDINAIRE on the chitlin' circuit.
He started out as pioneer R&B star Hank Ballard's valet, and it's said that he eventually elevated the role of MC to a high art, especially while traveling on the road with Sam Cooke & Jackie Wilson. They also say that he was so handsome and flamboyant that he would have been a star if only he could sing. It's too bad he's not coming along now, when talent isn't a prerequisite! Sam Cooke said George could "dress a guy into bad health" and Bobby Womack said "He was such a good-looking guy, the girls would just drag him around like a rag doll." Some of the day's top headliner's actually paid George not to wear certain clothes so he wouldn't outshine THEM! Humph! Who said Gorgeous George didn't have any talent? I did, and I TAKE IT BACK!
Apparently, he was a star IN HIS OWN RIGHT! It's rumored that he had a minor career recording for various small labels, but his forte certainly wasn't singing. His real name was Theopholous Odell George, and he was a pretty n---ga who could dress his ass off! In addition to being a tailor, a paid companion, a semi-professional gambler, and a part-time pimp, he's been called The World's Greatest MC!
"If there was twelve acts on the show, I would change twelve times. I had about forty-some outfits, shoes, socks, rings, everything matched to a T...and my hair - you ain't never seen no hair like I had...I used to spray it blond. I could walk in, and it would bounce on my head" says George. Ah, spoken like a true man-diva, brutha!
George had a theory that seemed to benefit him the most in the sexually charged atmosphere of 50's and 60's backstage Rhythm and Blues. "I found out in show business, the fine chicks with the long, lanky hair, they stayed broke. But the big fat chicks with the big hips and three or four pieces of wig on their head, they had the prettiest houses, they drove the best cars, they got the highest positions, they have more finesse - and they LOVED entertainers...they would buy me anything!"
George was a fine brotha, Sam Cooke was most certainly handsome, Jackie Wilson (right) absolutely had a salacious reputation, and they were ALL dogs together! There's the story about Fidel Castro coming to New York to deliver a speech to the UN, and deciding to stay at the Hotel Theresa in Harlem. According to Gorgeous George, he turned Castro on to Hank Ballard (and the Midnighters) at the Apollo theater, reefer, and black women. Lots of black women. As in big-time orgy! All in one night! And If anyone could do it, I suppose Gorgeous George would be the one.
I don't know whatever happened to the brotha for sure. I heard that he later designed clothes for the Isley Brothers, and may have toured with Ronald Isley for awhile. Then I heard that he worked with the Gap Band or Charlie Wilson in much later years. Dionne Warwick supposedly mentions him more than a few times in her book of memoirs, but I don't have the book. I'm not certain, but all the indicators suggest George is still living, and now that I have a few connections, maybe I can track him down for a little interview.
Connections? Yeah, I'm sure George could turn me on!
fasinating I like these obscure ppl someone should do a table top book on these ppl
Posted by: jahlaune Hunt | April 03, 2011 at 02:48 AM
looking forward to reading that interview!
Posted by: Eduardo Guize | April 04, 2011 at 07:33 AM
@Jahlaune, YOU would have to work on that book, since you know so many of the people who KNEW these "obscure" people!
@Eduardo, if you know where George is - let's make it happen. LOL! Thanks for your comment - let's link up!
Posted by: Corey | April 04, 2011 at 11:18 AM
I know George he lives on my street.
Posted by: Michael Wilson | April 30, 2011 at 12:43 AM