Yowza, Joh

• Appeared in:
  
  I
  II
  III
  IV
  V
  VI
  CW

• Homeworld:
  Endor

• Species:
  Yuzzum

• Gender:
  Male

• Size:
  1.4 meters

• Affiliation:
  Max Rebo Band

• 

From the Movies

With a lively step, a comical stage presence and a booming voice, Joh Yowza has come along way from being just another foraging Yuzzum on the plains of Endor. He and Sy Snootles fronted the Max Rebo band that performed in Jabba the Hutt's palace.

From the Expanded Universe

Standing a stunted 1.4 meters tall, Yowza was ostracized by other, taller Yuzzum. While the rest of his "herd" foraged for tasty ruggers, Yowza (whose real name is unpronounceable in Basic) was left to fend for himself. Often, he would sit alone, vocalizing the haunting, singing cries that comprised the Yuzzum language.

During an aimless trek for food, Yowza spotted a freighter downed for repairs. Not knowing anything of modern technology, Yowza simply boarded in hopes of finding food. It was only after leaving Endor that the freighter's captain, Roark Garnet, discovered Furball (as he called him). He kept Furball around, since the Yuzzum helped in cooking, cleaning and other menial tasks. Yowza was kept well fed, and began learning Basic.

During a stopover on Nar Shaddaa, Yowza wandered away from Garnet's ship, and into a seedy tapcafe. There, he saw a band fronted by Evar Orbus performing. Impressed by the musical stylings of Max Rebo, Sy Snootles and the others, Yowza began singing along, much to the amusement and delight of the bar patrons. Orbus signed Yowza on -- the Yuzzum would perform in exchange for food and shelter. The lead singer, Sy Snootles, gave Yowza his distinctive stage name.

Some time later, Evar Orbus' band arrived on Tatooine, to perform at Chalmun's Cantina. A dispute with the house band resulted in a firefight that killed Orbus. Now led by Max Rebo and Sy Snootles, the band landed a gig at Jabba the Hutt's palace.

During their audition for Jabba, the Hutt's majordomo Bib Fortuna casually suggested that Yowza sit out the first set. It seemed that Jabba has detested Yuzzum ever since some trader delivered a cargo of the critters in lieu of payment. Later, as the band continued playing, Yowza could not resist the beat, and burst onto stage, singing with his powerful voice. Rather than becoming angry, Jabba enjoyed the Yuzzum's style and performance.

The newly renamed Max Rebo Band had a short stay at Jabba's palace, and narrowly avoided disaster when they escaped his exploding sail barge. After the death of the Hutt, the band disbanded. Yowza fled to Mos Eisley, where he eventually picked up a job on a small passenger liner. He performs with the liner's house band in exchange for a free berth, and passage throughout the Outer Rim.

Behind the Scenes

The Yuzzum design dates back to the original production of Return of the Jedi, when the Ewoks were to have a companion species on Endor. Yuzzums proved too costly to produce in quantity, and only one Yuzzum puppet was made. It found its way into the background of Jabba the Hutt's palace.

For the Special Edition re-release of Jedi, the Yuzzum design was revisited, this time through a computer-generated creation.