When I had been around Harlem long enough to show signs of permanence, inevitably I got a
nickname that would identify me beyond any confusion with two other red-conked and well-known
"Reds" who were around. I had met them both; in fact, later on I'd work with them both. One, "St.
Louis Red," was a professional armed robber. When I was sent to prison, he was serving time for
trying to stick up a dining car steward on a train between New York and Philadelphia. He was
finally freed; now, I hear, he is in prison for a New York City jewel robbery.
The other was "Chicago Red." We became good buddies in a speakeasy where later on I was a
waiter; Chicago Red was the funniest dishwasher on this earth. Now he's making his living being
funny as a nationally known stage and nightclub comedian. I don't see any reason why old
Chicago Red would mind me telling that he is Redd Foxx.
