New Orleans’ soulful hoodoo rock and roller and carnivalesque hero Mac Rebennack, better known as Dr. John, passed away on June 6, 2019. Within a day, the city’s streets filled with mourners honoring his legacy of high funknology in the verbal, musical and spiritual arts. In our archival interview, Dr. John recalls his early days as a studio guitarist and later the West Coast birth of his mysterious public persona. We also revisit a live performance in 2013 where Mac reminisces about learning to play piano at home from an auntie and hearing his heroes out on the music scene. American Routes is ‘the right place” to share these conversations and celebrate the beloved music of our friend, the late legendary Dr. John.