The name 'Popcorn' comes from him popping up to reach the cymbals!
By Evelyn D. Gates
(photo of Evelyn & Popcorn)
Photo credits: Evelyn Gates, Mark Lambert, Marilyn Stringer, Charles Johnston, Aigers Lapsa, Jackie Don Loe, and several anonymous contributors!
Chuck ‘Popcorn’ Louden was born and raised in Saint Louis, MO. A high school graduate of Northwest High class of 1987, Popcorn’s greatest love was playing baseball, then drums. He played on various elite baseball teams here in the Metropolitan Area.
Popcorn started playing drums at the age of 6 and began to travel as a musician at the age of 9. He recorded his first 45 at 12 years old at Oliver Sains Studio along with his dad, Mr. Willie Louden, and The Golden Aires (Gospel Quartet). He continued to play for his dad while playing R&B, with Mr. Keith Robinson being his mentor. His greatest teacher was his idol, Mr Buddy Miles. His dad always said “you are not good unless you can play like Buddy”. Popcorn got goosebumps when he met Buddy and became his drummer (The Buddy Miles Express). That was such a great accomplishment.
Popcorn was playing ball and still playing music. In fact, his music teacher, Mr Dorsey Summerfield, introduced him to Motown. He began to play for The Coasters, The Drifters, The Platters, Martha Reeves, and he opened up for the Duke Ellington Band.
Playing ball was so important in Popcorn’s life that playing music was more of a hobby for him. His dad taught him life lessons while growing up. He had to learn how to play with a metronome to keep time. His mom also played an important part in his music career. Popcorn would come home from high school, do his chores and homework, then spend time on the drums.
Popcorn came from a family full of ball players and musicians. One uncle was Koko Taylor’s band leader for 18 years. And there was a cousin who played with Albert King.
Popcorn injured his knee in junior year and reinjured it in his senior year, but was still considering playing ball in Texas Louisiana League after graduation. But he had a chance to go and play music in Europe with Tim Wheeler and the Soul Shuffles. This is the beginning of Popcorn tours for 30 years.
Popcorn toured with The Soul Stirrers (the gospel group Sam Cooke and Johnnie Taylor sang in), Lucky Peterson (10 years), but still playing with other bands and still rocking in church.
Other artists he’s played with include Johnnie Taylor, Buddy Miles, Diuanna Greenleaf, Tim Briggs (Country), Otis Taylor, Tamela Peterson (Lucky’s wife), the Muddy Waters Band, Kingfish, Marquise Knox, and of course his many years with Michael Burks.
Popcorn has played on 300+ albums with so many artists, and has won Contemporary Album of the year in 2013 on Michael Burks ‘Show Of Strength, and Debut Album of the year in 2009 on Marquise Knox’s album ‘Man Child’.
L-R: Bob Margolin, Kingfish, Popcorn, Bob Stroger, Larry Van Loon.
He has played throughout Texas, Atlanta, New Orleans, Clarksdale MS (Michael Burks Band had the slot to play every year at the King Biscuit festival), St. Louis, Europe, Finland. He has traveled the world twice, doing what he loves.
Popcorn is still giving it all he’s got, and he’s not slowing down!
