It is always interesting when stories are told and there is no photographic evidence to validate the story. This is particularly true when the story is so outrageous that it is borderline unbelievable. This was definitely the case with Ironing Board Sam’s infamous underwater blues show. I always believed that Sam actually performed this show given that there is nothing too crazy for Sam to pull off, but I did postulate over the years as to how this incredible feat was accomplished.

Music Maker was recently the subject of a PBS NewHour segment that included a prominent Ironing Board Sam feature. While mining through our archived photos of Sam I decided to reach back out to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation to see if they had uncovered any “new” photos of Ironing Board Sam from his past performances at JazzFest. Much to my delight, that had recently received a contribution from one of the technical directors of JazzFest during the late 70s, Walter Lenk, who took many photos while on the job.  I cannot explain how EXCITING it was to finally see these images after listening to Sam and others describe what happened that day.

The most interesting part about finally receiving these photos is that I still don’t fully understand the technical aspects of how this performance was accomplished. After several lengthy discussions with Sam and the photographer, Walter Lenk, the only thing that I am sure of is that this was and incredibly dangerous stunt and everyone involved was fearful that Sam would seriously hurt himself. I guess it makes sense that I don’t exactly understand and this mystery only adds to the larger than life character that is Ironing Board Sam!

-Corn Lewis