Floyd Dixon

Floyd Dixon (February 8, 1929 – July 26, 2006) was an American rhythm and blues pianist and singer.

Life and career

Dixon was born Jay Riggins, Jr. in Marshall, Texas, United States. He was influenced by blues, gospel, jazz and country music growing up. His family moved to Los Angeles, California in 1942 and Dixon met his influence Charles Brown there.

The self-dubbed "Mr. Magnificent", Dixon signed a recording contract with Modern Records in 1949, specializing in jump blues and sexualized songs like "Red Cherries", "Wine Wine Wine", "Too Much Jelly Roll" and "Baby Let's Go Down to The Woods". Dixon replaced Brown on piano and vocals in the band Johnny Moore's Three Blazers in 1950 when Brown departed to start a solo career. The group recorded on Aladdin Records. Staying with the record label, Dixon had a small hit under his own name in 1952 with "Call Operator 210".

Dixon switched to the Specialty Records label in 1952, and the Atlantic Records subsidiary Cat Records in 1954. "Hey Bartender" (later covered by The Blues Brothers) and "Hole In The Wall" were hit singles during this time.

Floyd Dixon (American football)

Floyd Eugene Dixon (born April 9, 1964 in Beaumont, Texas) is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League for seven seasons for the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Stephen F. Austin State University and was drafted in the sixth round of the 1986 NFL Draft.