His daughter, Gina Barge, confirmed that he died peacefully in his sleep at home in Chicago on a recent Sunday.
Barge’s illustrious career began in the 1940s, where he initially performed in college jazz bands. He supported significant figures in music, such as Little Richard and James Brown, and delivered a memorable saxophone solo on the classic “C.C. Rider.” He was also involved in the creation of the hit “Quarter to Three” with Gary “U.S.” Bonds and worked with blues legends like Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, and Willie Dixon. His collaboration with Natalie Cole on the Grammy-winning track “Sophisticated Lady” stands out, as does his participation in the early 1980s tour with the Rolling Stones and his appearance on Public Enemy’s “New Whirl Odor” album, where he was affectionately titled “the legendary Mr. Gene Barge.”
Regarded as a pioneer and an influence on Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band, Barge was held in high esteem, even earning recognition in two popular songs from the early 1960s — “Quarter to Three” and the lively doo-wop track “Bristol Stomp,” which included a shoutout to him: “We pony and twisted and we rocked with Daddy G.”
Aside from his music career, Barge ventured into acting during the 1970s, making appearances in crime and thriller films such as “Above the Law,” “The Package,” and “The Fugitive.” He also served as a consultant on Martin Scorsese’s documentary “The Blues.” Chuck D from Public Enemy once praised him, calling him “the flyest octogenarian I know.”
Barge, the oldest of eight children, was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. Initially aspiring to be a professional football player, his musical journey started when he played clarinet in his high school band, which led him to explore the saxophone after a stint in the Air Force, coinciding with his enrollment at West Virginia State College. His father had received a saxophone from a British soldier during World War II, which influenced Barge’s decision.
He reflected on his passion for the saxophone in a 2007 interview, stating, “The saxophone was the instrument, coming up, that had the sound closest to the human voice.” By the 1950s, he was playing with local jazz and R&B groups and leading his own band, achieving a breakthrough with the instrumental hit “Country” in 1955.
His big break came when rhythm and blues artist Chuck Willis invited him to join his touring ensemble, leading him to a pivotal recording session for Atlantic Records. When the saxophonist initially working on the track didn’t meet expectations, Barge took over. “They did 27 takes and weren’t satisfied. So Chuck said, ‘Look, why don’t you just let Gene run down one to get the feel,’” he recounted about the unforgettable experience that resulted in the now-famous “C.C. Rider.”
Returning to Norfolk, Barge collaborated with the owner of the Legrand label, Frank Guida, to form the Church Street Five. They produced the instrumental “A Night With Daddy G,” which eventually evolved into the hit “Quarter to Three.” The nickname “Daddy G” was inspired by local preacher Bishop “Daddy” Grace, whose church was near the site of Barge’s early shows.
“Quarter to Three” went on to become a No. 1 hit in 1961, solidifying its status in rock history and making its way into Bruce Springsteen’s setlist. Over decades, Barge continued to collaborate with Bonds on other hits like “School Is Out” and “Dear Lady Twist,” contributing to a diverse array of music across various genres.
At Chess Records in Chicago, he played saxophone for hit tracks including Fontella Bass’s “Rescue Me” and produced albums with artists like Muddy Waters. His work continued at Stax Records in Memphis, where he arranged gospel classics such as “Lord Don’t Move the Mountain.”
Barge’s connections with Chicago’s music scene facilitated his work with Natalie Cole, leading to the production and arranging of her acclaimed albums in the 1970s. In a podcast with his daughter in 2023, he reminisced about Cole as one of the most skilled performers with whom he had the pleasure of working, crediting her intelligence and knowledge of the music industry to her father, Nat “King” Cole.
His own album, “Dance With Daddy G,” was released in 1965, and he later produced “Olio,” featuring guest appearances from notable talents like Buddy Guy and Otis Clay. Remaining active, he frequently performed with the Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings.
“I’m sitting here looking at my horn now, feeling guilty because I didn’t get enough practice time in today,” he said in an interview, emphasizing his forward-looking approach. “My philosophy is that you’ve got to move forward, stay contemporary, read, keep up with the young people. Because that’s the future.”
