Hirt was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of a police officer. At the age of six, he was given his first trumpet, which had been purchased at a local pawnshop. He would play in the Junior Police Band with the children of Alcide Nunez, and by the age of 16, Hirt was playing professionally, often with his friend Pete Fountain. During this time, he was hired to play at the local horse racing track, beginning a six-decade connection to the sport.
In 1940, Hirt went to Cincinnati, Ohio, to study at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music with Dr. Frank Simon (a former soloist with the John Philip Sousa Orchestra). After a stint as a bugler in the United States Army during World War II, Hirt performed with various swing big bands, including those of Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and Ina Ray Hutton.
In 1950, Hirt became first trumpet and featured soloist with Horace Heidt's Orchestra. After spending several years on the road with Heidt, Hirt returned to New Orleans working with various Dixieland groups and leading his own bands. Despite Hirt's statement years later "I'm not a jazz trumpeter and never was a jazz trumpeter", he made a few recordings where he demonstrated his ability to play in that style, during the 1950s with bandleader Monk Hazel, and a few other recordings on the local Southland Records label.
Hirt's virtuoso dexterity and fine tone on his instrument soon attracted the attention of major record labels and he signed with RCA Victor. Hirt posted twenty-two albums on the Billboard charts in the 1950s and 1960s. The albums Honey in the Horn and Cotton Candy were both in the Top 10 best sellers for 1964, the same year Hirt scored a hit single with his cover of Allen Toussaint's tune "Java" (Billboard No. 4), and later won a Grammy Award for the same recording. Both Honey in the Horn and "Java" sold over one million copies, and were awarded gold discs.
Hirt's Top 40 charted hit "Sugar Lips" in 1964 would be later used as the theme song for the NBC daytime game show Eye Guess, hosted by Bill Cullen and originally airing from January 1966 to September 1969.
Hirt was chosen to record the frenetic theme for the 1960s TV show The Green Hornet, by famed arranger and composer Billy May. Thematically reminiscent of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee, it showcased Hirt's technical prowess. The recording again gained public attention in 2003 when it was used in the film Kill Bill.
From the mid-1950s to early 1960s, Hirt and his band played nightly at Dan's Pier 600 at the corner of St. Louis and Bourbon Street. The club was owned by his business manager, Dan Levy, Sr.
Al Hirt club on the corner of Bourbon Street and St Louis in the French Quarter, 1977
In 1962 Hirt opened his own club on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, which he ran until 1983. He also became a minority owner in the NFL expansion New Orleans Saints in 1967.
In 1962, in an effort to showcase him in a different musical setting, Hirt was teamed with arranger and composer Billy May and producer Steve Sholes to record an album titled Horn A Plenty that was a departure from the Dixieland material that he was generally associated with. Covering an eclectic variety of popular, standard and show tunes, it featured a big-band supplemented by timpani, French horns and harp. He also appeared opposite Troy Donahue and Suzanne Phlesette in the 1962 motion picture, "Rome Adventure."
In 1965, he hosted the hour-long television variety series Fanfare, which aired on CBS as a summer replacement for Jackie Gleason and the American Scene Magazine.
Hirt starred along with the University of Arizona marching band at the first Super Bowl halftime show in 1967.
On February 8, 1970, while performing in a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Hirt was injured while riding on a float. It is popularly believed that he was struck in the mouth by a thrown piece of concrete or brick. Factual documentation of the details of the incident is sparse, consisting primarily of claims made by Hirt after the incident. Whatever the actual cause of his injuries, Hirt underwent surgery and made a return to the club scene. This incident was parodied in a Saturday Night Live skit from their second season Mardi Gras special, the "Let's Hit Al Hirt in the Mouth with a Brick Contest".
In 1987, Hirt played a solo rendition of "Ave Maria" for Pope John Paul II's visit to New Orleans. He is referred to in the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam, in a broadcast made by Lieutenant Hauk (Bruno Kirby).
Hirt died of liver failure at the age of 76, after having spent the previous year in a wheelchair due to edema in his leg. He was survived by his wife, Beverly Essel Hirt, and six children from a previous marriage.
Rocky
Al Hirt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gonna fly, fly, fly
Rocky's ready to make a move, yeah
Rocky's ready he just can't lose, yeah
Every nerve a wire sweatin' blood, like fire
Body's achin' from the hurt it's takin'
muscles screamin' like a burnin' demon
Every nerve a wire sweatin' blood, like fire
Tryin' hard now, it's so hard now
Tryin' hard now, Rocky power by the hour
Pumpin' iron God ya know he's tryin'
Every nerve a wire sweatin' blood, like fire
Gonna fly now, flyin' high now
Gonna fly, fly, fly
Feelin' strong now, won't be long now
Gettin' strong now, fists like thunder gonna put you under
Pumpin' iron God ya know he's tryin'
Every nerve a wire sweatin' blood, like fire
Gonna fly now, flyin' high now
The lyrics of the song Rocky by Al Hirt were written to capture the essence of the iconic underdog story of the same name. The song describes Rocky preparing for a move, ready to seize his chance and determined not to lose. The adrenaline is pumping through his body as his muscles and nerves ache from the intense training he is undergoing. The lyrics also highlight Rocky's determination and strength as he works hard through the pain and exhaustion to achieve his goal.
The use of words like "sweatin' blood, like fire" and "muscles screamin' like a burnin' demon" paints a vivid picture of the physical strain and effort that Rocky is putting into his training. The repetition of "tryin' hard now" and "pumpin' iron God ya know he's tryin'" emphasizes the intense focus and dedication that Rocky has towards his goal. The final lines of the song, "Feelin' strong now, won't be long now / Gettin' strong now, fists like thunder gonna put you under" further showcase Rocky's determination and the sense of impending victory that he feels.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna fly now, flying high now
Rocky is feeling exhilarated and confident, and is ready to take on any challenge.
Gonna fly, fly, fly
He's so enthusiastic and eager to succeed in his endeavors.
Rocky's ready to make a move, yeah
Rocky is prepared to take action and move forward towards his goals.
Rocky's ready he just can't lose, yeah
Rocky is so confident in his abilities that he knows he can't be defeated.
Every nerve a wire sweatin' blood, like fire
Rocky is completely focused and pushing himself to his limits, both mentally and physically.
Body's achin' from the hurt it's takin'
Rocky is enduring pain and discomfort from his intense training and efforts.
Muscles screamin' like a burnin' demon
His muscles are in extreme pain and agony, as if they were on fire.
Tryin' hard now, it's so hard now
He's putting in maximum effort, and it's becoming increasingly difficult for him.
Tryin' hard now, Rocky power by the hour
Despite the challenges he's facing, Rocky is still putting forth an incredible amount of effort and strength every hour.
Pumpin' iron God ya know he's tryin'
Rocky is devoted to his physical training and is giving it his all.
Feelin' strong now, won't be long now
Rocky is feeling a sense of strength and resilience, and he knows that he's getting closer to his goal.
Gettin' strong now, fists like thunder gonna put you under
Rocky is becoming stronger and more powerful with each passing day, and he has the ability to knock out anyone who opposes him.
Pumpin' iron God ya know he's tryin'
Rocky is fully committed to his physical training and will stop at nothing to achieve his ultimate goal.
Gonna fly now, flyin' high now
Rocky is filled with energy and excitement, and feels as though he's soaring towards success.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AYN ROBBINS, CAROL CONNORS, BILL CONTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
timothylegg
The old man at 2:24 digs that very explicit 70's guitar riff !!!
Rod Williams
He was amazing. One of the best ever. He could do anything with that horn
waltermferguson
Truely, one of the 'GREATS'. I remember seeing him on the 'Tonight Show' with the Doctor. Doc looks at Al, then Johnny, and says 'All that wind power' refuring to the size of Mr Hirt. As good as Doc is, I had to say that Al sounded better that night.
fctrumpet
Al knows how to kick it!!!! One of the greatest hands down!!!!
Hal shot first
A talent like Al Hirt shouldn't have to play at a random little place like that.
Ivan Soria
al hirt es lo maximo
gsman5828
I wish I had listened to Al Hirt live. I was into high note stuff when I was young. Didn't have an appreciation for Al. By the way, how do you dance to Rock??? lol!
lparker0
I miss the 80's.
Ihy744ppp
Crowded place, but I wish I could have been there, they guy could play his ass off!!
Chestnut Mountain Boys
awesome! wish I was there..haha