What would it be like if Les Baxter was your Dad?
I always wondered what it would be like if one of your parents was famous. If you’re into Tiki and Exotica music, you know who Les Baxter is. Leslie Eaton is his daughter and she was kind enough to answer some questions for me …
As much as Les Baxter is arguably the Father of Exotica Music, and his original music from the era is played in modern revival Tiki bars and lounges, was he aware of, or did he patronize bars and clubs from the 1940’s to the 1970’s that we would now think of as Tiki?
Leslie- Dad never ever went to bars or pubs or places that played his music, he did like to go to the Whiskey a Go-Go and The Troubadour to hear new acts, but Dad’s idea of a good time was to sit down at a great meal and talk about music.
Your Dad must have known many people in the entertainment business, did any famous people ever stop by your home?
Leslie- The people I remember that were at our home a lot were Henry Mancini and his wife Ginney, Martha Raye, Jackie Gleason, Mitzi Gaynor, Judy Garland and Liliane Montevehii. Our home was a colorful place, not just musicians but ballet dancers, artists etc.
What do you think the future holds for exotica and types of music your Dad created?
Leslie- People have tried to copy dad with some success, but he was different, as for Tiki, I think we have barely touched the surface, people have sort of ignored Hawaiian Music for a long time, thinking you should only listen to it under certain conditions. Tiki, beach, and tropical music hasn’t yet been adapted for the masses and I know some talented person is going to re-imagine it. At least that’s my uneducated opinion. And believe me I am uneducated when it comes to music!
Did your Dad like any Rock N Roll bands?
Leslie- The Beach Boys! We loved them because they made us feel the innocence of young love in the 50’s and 60’s. As a point of interest, The Beach Boys were the only rock and roll band Dad loved, they came to the house to work with Dad on harmonies, as did the Turtles and The Bryds and most bands similar to that genre.
Exotica music wasn’t known as Exotica until Martin Denny’s Exotica came out in 1957, but Les Baxter put out Ritual of the Savage in 1951, an essential album to fans of Exotica. Was he aware that he was creating a genre, or was it just a continual musical exploration for him?
Leslie- Dad absolutely knew he was creating a new genre! Home would come to be an unbelievable place to be. I remember the excitement so well! We loved Martin Denny! Our home was filled with music, my Dad was at the piano for hours and hours and a silly girl like me would dance and dance and dance all over the house! As a child I did not appreciate the depth of my dad’s knowledge of Music, I was a little girl who liked to hear “Never On Sunday” while I sat by the pool and floated on my dad’s back because that’s where I felt safe.
What is your most cherished memory of you and your Dad?
Leslie- I remember one time that was fun and different, dad took me to Carnival in Rio, he was guest of honor one year. We didn’t have cell phones then so there are not many photos. When the samba schools would rehearse on the beach, dad and I would go out on the beach and dance and sing with them, what a sight it was, I couldn’t even accurately describe how colorful and exciting it was. I had never felt so inspired in my life.
I’m so humbled you asked for my thoughts, thank you so much, it’s a wonderful conversation. And may I say I think you have done so much for music.
Best wishes,
Your friend,
Leslie Baxter Eaton
Thank you Leslie! I wanted to get your story. I think this post does a good job of that!
Way to go Leslie!
What a great interview! It’s so great to have you two keeping the flame of the tiki torch lit, so to speak, by remembering Les through his music and family anecdotes!