Biography
Originally a disc jockey at KMAC in San Antonio, Texas, Hancock relocated to California where he served as a jazz broadcaster on Los Angeles station KFVD—later known as KPOP—beginning in 1943. He transitioned fully into the emerging R&B format and introduced his Harlem Matinee program in June 1948, gaining recognition for his energetic shouting and vocal outbursts. This positioned him ahead of Alan Freed by several years in promoting the style. Hancock gained prominence among the venues along Central Avenue frequented by black audiences and formed a close association with Johnny Otis, hosting numerous events at the latter’s Barrelhouse club. During 1951 he organized a pair of performances titled The Blues & Rhythm Midnight Matinee at the Olympic Auditorium that highlighted area talents including Floyd Dixon, Big Jay McNeely, Maxwell Davis, and Peppermint Harris; recordings from these appearances have only lately appeared on Sweden’s Route 66 imprint. Hancock continued championing R&B through the decade, shifting between KGFJ, KFOX, and a return to KPOP before establishing his Swingin’ label in February 1959 near Sunset Boulevard. Its debut single, Big Jay McNeely’s ‘There Is Something On Your Mind’—taped two years prior—climbed to number 5 on the R&B listings despite its age. Operations at Swingin’ and its companion Magnum label ended in late 1964 following numerous R&B and vocal group issues featuring acts like Marvin And Johnny, Joe Houston, and Rochell And The Candles. Hancock was still spinning records at KGFJ then and withdrew from the industry altogether in 1968.