On June 8, 1993, DC fan favorite Root Boy Slim died.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Root Boy Slim


Root Boy Slim relaxing in his Takoma Park, Maryland home in 1980

Root Boy Slim (July 9, 1944 – June 8, 1993) was the stage name assumed by American musician Foster MacKenzie III. He was born in Asheville, North Carolina but raised in Washington, D.C.'s Maryland suburbs. He was an exceptionally bright child with parents who were able to afford a series of costly prep schools, and he attended Yale University. He returned to Maryland upon receiving his bachelor's degree and was diagnosed with schizophrenia following an LSD-induced psychotic episode. In the 1970s, he formed his own alternative rock band (including musicians such as tenor saxophonist Ron Holloway) and an ensemble titled Crying Out Loud. Mackenzie's group was ultimately billed as Root Boy Slim and the Sex Change Band and The Rootettes. The band cultivated a dedicated fan base, largely confined to the Washington metropolitan area.

MacKenzie died in his sleep in his home in Orlando, Florida at age 48 and is buried in Fletcher, North Carolina. He was inducted into the Washington Area Music Association Hall of Fame in 2004.

{snip}

MacKenzie was an intelligent yet incorrigible youth, who was asked to leave several private D.C.-area prep schools, including Sidwell Friends School. He finally found his niche at Saint James School in Hagerstown, Maryland, a boarding school, where along with his studies, he played varsity football. He was accepted to and attended Yale University, majoring in African American studies, and graduated in 1967. He was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, where his fraternity brothers included future President George W. Bush. MacKenzie was a year older than Bush.

While at Yale, MacKenzie formed a band with classmate and fraternity brother Bob Greenlee, who was captain of Yale's football team. The band was named Prince La La and the Midnight Creepers. MacKenzie's growing dislike of authority and inner inclination to play pranks and his love of shock value expanded. Band members wore ermine capes, silver lamé hot pants and boasted that they were never invited for return engagements. The year after MacKenzie and Greenlee graduated, they returned to the DKE house during Yale's homecoming. Bush, who since their departure had become president of DKE, threw them out and banned them from the house.

{snip}

Root Boy Slim played at Louie's Rock City a few times. He was there for a benefit for the writers at the Unicorn Times on October 23, 1978.



Source: https://www.concertarchives.org/venues/louie-s-rock-city

OCT 23 1978 Root Boy Slim & The Sex Change Band with The Rootettes Setlist

Root Boy Slim Live at Louie's Rock City

Kim Turner
81 subscribers

2,455 views Jul 25, 2016
Root Boy Slim and the Sex Change Band with the Rootettes Live at Louie's Rock City in the late 1970's

I saw Root Boy Slim three times, all at the Grog and Tankard in DC. He put on the greatest show. He was such a source of joy. I miss him.

Root Boy Slim-Rich White Republican

ChuckWest1978
29 subscribers

43,590 views Nov 2, 2011
An anthem for the Occupy movement from the late alternative bluesman who saw it all coming.

Root Boy Slim - "Boogie till you puke"

Dwight Mannsburden
248 subscribers

193,872 views Mar 29, 2009
Clip from Mr Mikes Mondo Video. Root Boy Slim and his band...Intro by Michael O'Donoghue

root boy slim - dc space - fall 1989

peyoteshaman
1.58K subscribers

25,699 views Feb 17, 2008
space was the place.

{snip}

Root Boy Slim - "Eviction Blues"

richardvollin
553 subscribers

8,363 views Aug 9, 2011
From the album "Left For Dead" (King Snake 006) ©1987.
Written by Foster Mackenzie III, Bob Greenlee, and Ernie Lancaster.
Recorded at Track Recorders in Silver Spring, Maryland on 16 January 1979.

Root Boy Slim: vocals, blues harp
Ernie Lancaster: guitar
Bob Greenlee: bass
Winston Kelly: organ
Albert Bashor: drums
Steuart Smith: guitar

From an unbelievable collection of improvisational blues recorded at one session, each in a single take with no over dubs.
Some other titles that didn't make the album were : 'Bus Station Blues', 'My Love Is Real', 'Wired and Wigged-Out', and 'Graveyard of Losers'.

Attention all K-Mart shoppers !
Root Boy Slim and Ernie Lancaster CDs are available by visiting
www.rootboyslim.com and www.ripbang.com
Support Root Boy Slim's legacy, and the musicians who played with him.

I think that a much younger mahatmakanejeeves appears in this video.

ROOT BOY SLIM Grogg n Tankard 9 27 1991

sasha koledin
365 subscribers

2,807 views Nov 24, 2020
IT WAS A NIGHT LIKE NO OTHER, MANY YEARS AGO - THANKS TO "CARRIE FOSTER" FOR DA RIDE INTO DE UNKNOWN (PITTSBURGH TO DC) - TO SHOOT DE MOST FROM COAST TO COAST.
BOB GREENLEE PASSED AWAY ON FEBRUARY 10, 2004.

Tue Nov 19, 2024: On this day, November 19, 1944, Bob Greenlee, bass player for Root Boy Slim, was born.

Sat Jun 8, 2024: On this day, June 8, 1993, Root Boy Slim died.

Thu Nov 19, 2020: On this day, November 19, 1944, Bob Greenlee, bass player for Root Boy Slim, was born.