Chuck Higgins
Chuck Higgins (Apr 17, 1924 in Gary, IN - September 14, 1999) is namechecked on the cover of "Freak Out!" (1966) under the heading "These People Have Contributed Materially In Many Ways To Make Our Music What It Is. Please Do Not Hold It Against Them".
He was a saxophonist who earned R&B fame for his composition "Pachuko Hop", which remains a perennial favorite among Latino fans, but didn't gain enough general R&B acclaim to chart in the early '50s. "Pachuko" was slang for a Mexican-American dressed in baggy pants with a key chain. Higgins also played trombone and trumpet. Higgins played dates in Los Angeles with everyone from Charlie Parker to The Orioles and his band at one point included Johnny "Guitar" Watson (also name-checked on the cover of "Freak Out!").
His single "Motorhead Baby" was the inspiration for the nickname of Jim Sherwood.
