Boots Randolph

Homer Louis “Boots” Randolph III (June 3, 1927 – July 3, 2007) was an American saxophonist and recording artist best known for his hit instrumental “Yakety Sax.” Although born in Paducah, Kentucky, Randolph spent an important part of his youth in Evansville, Indiana, where he attended Central High School and developed his skills as a saxophone player.

Central High School and Evansville

Randolph grew up primarily in Cadiz, Kentucky, in a musical family. He originally played instruments including the ukulele and trombone.

Beginning with his sophomore year, Randolph attended Central High School in Evansville. While playing in Central’s band, he switched from trombone to the saxophone at about age 16, setting him on the path to his future career.

After graduating from Central, Randolph entered the United States Army, where he played saxophone, trombone and vibraphone in an Army band during the final years of World War II.

Following his military service, Randolph returned to Evansville and briefly worked at American Fork and Hoe. He reportedly left the factory job because he feared the physical work would damage his hands and interfere with his saxophone playing.

Music Career

Randolph spent the following years performing professionally around Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky before becoming involved in Nashville’s rapidly growing recording industry.

By the late 1950s, Randolph was working with legendary producer and guitarist Chet Atkins and became one of Nashville’s most in-demand session musicians.

Randolph became a member of the group of elite studio musicians commonly known as the Nashville A-Team, and his distinctive saxophone playing helped shape the famous Nashville Sound.

His saxophone can be heard on recordings by some of the biggest names in American music, including Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Brenda Lee, Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins and Buddy Holly.

Among his notable recording credits were Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman” and Brenda Lee’s Christmas classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Randolph was also the first musician to play saxophone on an Elvis Presley recording and performed on the soundtracks of eight Presley films.

“Yakety Sax”

Randolph became internationally famous for “Yakety Sax,” which he co-wrote with James “Spider” Rich.

The fast-paced instrumental became his signature recording and was a major hit in the early 1960s. It gained even greater recognition when it became closely associated with the comedy television program The Benny Hill Show, particularly its famous sped-up chase scenes.

“Yakety Sax” remains one of the most recognizable saxophone instrumentals ever recorded.

Randolph recorded more than 40 albums during his career and also had success with recordings including “The Shadow of Your Smile,” “Hey, Mr. Sax Man” and “Temptation.”

Later Career

Randolph became a fixture of Nashville entertainment and appeared on national television programs including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show, The Jimmy Dean Show and Hee Haw.

He also performed for years alongside fellow Nashville instrumental legends Chet Atkins and Floyd Cramer.

In 1977, Randolph opened his own nightclub in Nashville’s famous Printer’s Alley. Boots Randolph’s operated for 17 years and became another important part of his long association with Nashville.

Randolph continued recording and performing into his later years. His final solo album, A Whole New Ballgame, was released in June 2007.

Death and Legacy

Boots Randolph died in Nashville on July 3, 2007, at age 80 after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage.

He had been inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and is remembered as one of the musicians who helped establish the saxophone as an important instrument in country, rock and popular music.

Randolph’s connection to Evansville was particularly significant to his musical development. It was while attending Central High School that the future “Yakety Sax” star began concentrating on the saxophone, the instrument that would ultimately make him internationally famous.