In his mid-50s, jazz musician John Larkin (1942-1999) unexpectedly became famous. As Scatman John he landed two big chart hits in Germany in 1995. Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the unlikely pop star’s checkered life is being filmed.
Stephen Basilone and Annie Mebane are writing the screenplay. Both previously wrote for the series “The Goldbergs”. According to The Hollywood Reporter, they get access to Scatman John’s archive and private videos for their script.
“Today, John’s message is more relevant than ever and needs to be heard,” explains producer Steve Valentine (56). “He was a true legend who broke down barriers that would have prevented many from pursuing their dreams.”
John Larkin was born in California in 1942. He stuttered as an elementary school student and was bullied because of it. He is said to have been abused at home.
As a jazz musician, Larkin took advantage of his affliction. He specialized in the Scat. In this variety of jazz singing, short syllables and sounds without a specific meaning are quickly strung together. The result is reminiscent of stuttering.
In the US, Larkin worked as a jazz pianist, without much success. In the 1980s he struggled with alcohol and drug addiction. When a colleague died, he made the jump.
In 1990 John Larkin moved to Berlin. Here his manager Manfred Zähringer suggested combining his scat singing with Eurodance music. Scatman John was born. His first song under this name became an instant hit. “Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)” stormed the charts across Europe in late 1994. In Germany he landed on number 2 of the hit list.
With a mustache and a slouch hat, Scatman John rose to the kind of stardom only the cult-loving 1990s could bring. His follow-up song “Scatman’s World” even reached number 1 in the German charts and was declared the official summer hit of 1995. An album of the same name followed, full of positive messages. If I can do it, anyone can do it, that’s the message of the lyrics.
In 1996, Scatman John disappeared from the public radar just as quickly as he had come. Also typical for the 90s. His follow-up album “Everybody Jam!” flopped in Europe. In Japan, Scatman John remained a cult for a few years longer.
In 1999, John Larkin was diagnosed with lung cancer. During a concert tour in the USA he collapses on stage. He died a few days later on December 3, 1999 in Los Angeles.
