Vintage Stand-up Comedy: Pigmeat Markham

Pigmeat Markham	Dewey Markham aka David Pigmeat Markham	Durham, North Carolina, USA
Apr 18 1904 – Dec 13 1981 age 77	Official Website	Wikipedia

Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham was a comedian, singer, dancer and actor. His nickname came from a stage routine, in which he declared himself to be "Sweet Poppa Pigmeat." He was sometimes credited in films as David "Pigmeat" Markham. He was born in Durham, North Carolina. His family was the most prominent on their street, which came to be called (and later officially named) Markham Street. Markham began his career in traveling music and burlesque shows. For a time he was a member of Bessie Smith’s Traveling Revue in the 1920s. Later, he claimed he originated the Truckin' dance which became nationally popular at the start of the 1930s. In the 1940s he started making film appearances. In 1964 he recorded "Open the Door, Richard". In 1968 he also recorded his most famous “Here comes the Judge”. Markham was a familiar act at New York's famed Apollo Theater where he wore blackface makeup and huge painted white lips, although some complained this vaudeville tradition was degrading. He probably played at the Apollo more frequently then any other performer. Starting in the 1950s Pigmeat Markham began appearing on television, making multiple appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show. Source: Museum Of Uncut Funk