Harry "Doc" Bagby (19 August 1917* – 3 September 1970 Manhattan) also known as Hank Bagly was an American studio musician who played piano and organ, and backed many artists in pop and jazz. He played a major part in the music scene from the late 1940s to the late 1960s. He was also a bandleader and solo artist in his own right. He released many singles throughout his career. He is also the co-composer of the hit song "Rock the Joint" which has been recorded by Jimmy Preston and Bill Haley.
Bagby was born Harry Camilus Bagby in Philadelphia. A name like Doc Bagby has the ring of an insider and the keyboardist who is sometimes credited as the less-distinctive sounding Hank Bagby was the perfect studio insider, the session man's session man. A detailed account of his comings and goings would eventually have the dramatic impact of an elevator inspection certificate, but rock & roll would have never made it to the top floor creatively without him. He was the type of superb session player who makes early rock & roll and rhythm & blues oddities such a delight and he also had strong roots in country blues, even playing on some of the best records of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.
If the subject is recording any of this type of genre material in New York City in the '60s, Gotham studios would have been one of the doors opening, with the imposing figure of Bagby no doubt standing behind it. He learned the basics of his trade at numerous house parties in the 30s where he was in demand as a young teenager. He created his own orchestra in the early 40s but that died a death as Babgy was drafted and then demobed in 1945.
From there, he ran a record shop and quickly became the music director for Gotham Records where he produced many records ranging from gospel, R&B and blues. He then co-wrote, with guitarist Harry Crafton, Rock the Joint which was a Top 10 R&B hit while also backing numerous other artists with a Gotham orchestra he fronted. A standout Gotham session with Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee in 1954 resulted in titles such as the engaging "Baby Let's Have Some Fun," the timely "Four O'Clock Blues," and a disturbing "Harmonica Rumble."
Bagby’s own records began to appear in 1951 and he has a discography that would curl a hipster's hair, earning himself a place on exotica websites thanks to his appearances on groovy organ records such as the tasty 1957 "Dumplin's" or the 1959 "Doctor Rock." Other record collectors swear by the Doc Bagby Trio's 1953 single of "I Surrender Dear" coupled with “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" on the Gotham label, of course, available in red vinyl, naturally, while jazz fans will want his sides with Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis with whose combo he joined on the Bethlehem label.
From 1959, he worked for a host of small independent labels as he came into contact and worked with the likes of Harold Melvin (getting him a place in The Bluenotes. Bagby produced their early hit, My Hero), Garnett Mimms, Donnie Elbert, Big Al Sears and more. Among the recordings he produced were "I Got A Gal" and "Bewitched" for The Mowhawks which was released on Val-Ue 211 in 1960, and Davenport Sisters with their single, "I Was Teasin'" bw "Our Summer Vacation Is Over", released on Vida DV 0108 in 1963.
In 1964, he was regularly at this 46th Street recording facility with accompanying players such as guitarist Larry Lucie and the fine bassist Doles Dickens. In 1964, his single "Rubberneck" bw "Cornbread" was released on the Vim label, cat#519. He released many other singles on an assortment of labels.
He was married to Barbara Kemp (née; Barbara Ward; 1919–2009), who collaborated with him in songwriting. Bagby died in Manhattan on September 3, 1970 following a short illness.
(Edited from AllMusic. Wikipedia & The Audiophile Man) (* other sources give 1st August as birthdate)