.. and More About ..
Edited by Claus Röhnisch (updated July 10, 2009)

 THE GREAT RECORDS
by THE GREAT
R&B PIONEERS

Below you´ll find  the Great R&B Pioneers with a short presentation and the most valuable recordings with all R&B Top Ten Hits listed first, followed by other notable classics. Several artists are presented with links to other web sites! All #1 Hits are noted in bold; with number of weeks at #1 position. Titles hitting any of Billboard´s three national R&B Top Ten Charts (Best Seller, Juke Box, Disc Jockey) are listed.
Tip: Check the links to and Wikipedia - and to the other links too.
All presentations edited by Claus Röhnisch.

Johnny "Guitar" Watson

The 3 essential Watson CDs: "The Very Best of.." (Rhino), "Space Guitar" (Varèse), and "Hot Just Like TNT" (UK Ace)
Johnny "Guitar" Watson | Gatemouth Brown | Richard Berry | Young Jessie - (disco) | Ernie K-Doe | The Dells | The Five Keys
Wikipedia:  Watson | Gatemouth | Berry | Jessie | K-Doe | Dells | Five Keys
    on Johnny Watson | Gatemouth Brown | Richard Berry  |  Young Jessie |  Ernie K-Doe  |  The Dells  |  The Five Keys

The "musts" for a Juke Blues Beginner´s Collection!

Check the best blues catalog:
Roots and Rhythm
Find out about: John Lee Hooker
(as presented by Claus Röhnisch)
on John Lee Hooker

LIGHTNIN´ HOPKINS 
Extremely productive singer/guitarist with several recordings for different labels and foremost modern exponent of traditional "unspoiled" Texas country blues. Worked in Texas, California and Mississippi, later New York and Houston again. Inactive during the latter part of the ´50s. "Rediscovered" in 1959 by Sam Charters. Born: Sam Hopkins, March 15, 1912, Centerville, Texas. Died of cancer January 30, 1982, Houston, Texas. First recordings: Los Angeles November 4, 1946 Katie Mae Blues / That Mean Old Twister - Aladdin 167. Records for: Aladdin 46-48, Gold Star 48-50, RPM 1951, Sittin´ In With 1951, Mercury 1952, Decca 1953, Herald 1954, Folkways and Tradition 59-60, Bluesville 60-63, Arhooolie 64-67, Jewel 65-70.
Essential CD: The Very Best of Lightnin´ Hopkins - Rhino R2 79860 (16 great tracks);
or: Mojo Hand - The Lightnin´ Hopkins Anthology (2CD) - Rhino RHCD2-71226
For collectors: The Best of Lightnin' Hopkins - Prestige PRCD 5711 (great Prestige/Bluesville recordings of the 1060s)
Reading: The Big Book of Blues by Robert Santelli (Pavilion, UK 1994)
Search on Lightnin' Hopkins
Lightnin' Hopkins at Wikipedia
on Lightnin' Hopkins
Hopkins at The Blues Database

MUDDY WATERS 
"King of Chicago Blues" - Singer/guitarist and Chicago bar blues patriarch, who heavily influenced the British blues boom of the early ´60s. Switched from the harmonica to guitar in the early ´30s. Was stationed in Clarksdale during the ´30s and arrived in Chicago in 1943 calling himself "Muddy Water" (withouth the s-ending). Was introduced to the Chess brothers Leonard and Phil by "Bluebird" pianist Sunnyland Slim. Muddy modernized (and internationalized) the pre-war Delta country blues, first with his Hoochie Coochie Men in the ´50s and later internationally with his Chicago Blues Band. Some important members: Little Walter, hca; Jimmy Rogers, gtr; Otis Spann, pno: and later James Cotton, hca; George Smith, hca; Pat Hare, gtr; James Madison, gtr; Sammy Lawhorn, Luther "Georgia Boy" Johnson, gtr; and Pinetop Perkins, pno. Muddy toured heavily and several of his band members were regular session men for other Chicago acts or made a career as soloists. Born: McKinley Morganfield, April 4 (or more probable 14), 1913 (not April 14, 1915 as stated earlier), Issaquena, near Rolling Fork, Miss. Died: April 30, 1983, Chicago, Ill. First recordings: Stovalls Plantation near Clarksdale, 1941 Country Blues / I Be´s Troubled - Library of Congress AAFS 18. First in Chicago: 1946 Mean Red Spider with James Carter - 20th Century 20-51B; and late 1947 Gypsy Woman - Aristocrat 1302 (as Muddy Waters with Sunny Land Slim). First Chess: February 1950 Rolling Stone - Chess 1426. Records for: Aristocrat 47-50, Chess 50-75, Blue Sky 76-80.
 
Muddy's harp players on stage: Before 1947: Little Johnny Jones and later Jimmy Rogers; 1947-1952: Little Walter;  1952: Little Junior Wells; 1953: Big Walter "Shakey" Horton; 1953-1954: Henry "Pot" Strong; 1954: Little George "Harmonica" Smith; 1955: Junior Wells and later Elgie "Little Sonny" Willis; 1956-1959: James Cotton, who stayed with Muddy for several dates up to the mid´' 60s - sometimes substituted by Little Walter. Other stand-ins - 1959: Willie Anderson; 1960-1966: George "Mojo" Buford; New players - 1966-1967: George Smith;  1967-1971: Paul Oscher with 1968 and 1970 stand-in Birmingham Jones; 1970 and early 70s: Carey Bell with stand-ins James Cotton and Mojo Buford; 1974-1980: Jerry Portnoy.

The Complete Muddy Waters Session Discography (ctsy Blues & Rhythm magazine - pdf)


Muddy at Newport 1960 "Hoochie Coochie Man".

Essential CDs: His Best 1947-1955 - MCA/Chess CHD 9370
and His Best 1955-1964 - CHD 9380 (a total of 40 great tracks);
or: The Chess Box (3CD) - MCA/Chess CHD3-80002;
or: The Anthology (2CD) - Chess 112649 (50 great chronological tracks)
For Collectors: Rollin´ Stone - The Golden Anniversary Collection (1947-1952) - MCA (2CD) 088 112301-2
and Hoochie Coochie Man - The Complete Chess Masters, Volume Two (1952-1958) - Hip-O Select B (2CD) 0002758-02
(the two above include all Muddy's Aristocrat and Chess recordings with unissued alternates).
Authorized Bootleg - Geffen/Chess B0012650-02  (live recordings with his band from 1966 feat. George Smith, hca)
Breakin' It Up, Breakin' It Down - Waters, Winter, Cotton - Epic CD 07283 (great new-found live stuff from BlueSky)
Editor´s choise: The Complete Muddy Waters 1947-1967 (9CD) - Charly CD RED Box 3
and: The Chronological Muddy Waters 1941-1947 - Classics 5008.
Reading: Muddy Waters - The Mojo Man by Sandra B Tooze (ECW Press, 1997)
and Can´t Be Satisfied - The Life and Times of Muddy Waters by Robert Gordon (Little, Brown and Co, 2002)

Search on Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters at Wikipedia
on Muddy Waters
Muddy at The Blues Database
| Muddy Waters Web Site (official) | more on Muddy Waters |
Hoochie Coochie Man live audio 1960 | Got My Mojo Working 1970

SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON 
"The Goat" - SBW II - "The Harmonica Wizard" - "Little Boy Blue" - "Footsie" - Harmonica player and bar and "juke joint" blues singer with true roots in the Mississippi and Arkansas Delta, where he worked with Robert Johnson, Robert Jnr. Lockwood, the young Elmore James, and the Howlin´ Wolf. Worked with his own radio show at KFFA, Helena, Arkansas from 1941. Lived in West Memphis during 1949-1951. Spread rumors he made his recording debut for United Artists in 1947. Recorded for Lilian McMurray in Jackson, Miss. from the early ´50s, went to Detroit - arrived in Chicago in 1953 and later settled in Milwaukee, Wisc. (with stints in Cleveland and St. Louis). Joined Chess/Checker in 1955, soon backed by such greats as Otis Spann and Lafayette Leake, pno; Robert Jnr. Lockwood, gtr; and Fred Below and Odie Payne, dms. A major harp stylist, who adopted the legendary John Lee Williamson´s name before that artist was murdered in Chicago in 1948. Became a legend during his life-time, spending several periods in Europe. Born: Aleck (Alex) "Rice" Miller (who was (later also known as Willie Williams and Willie Williamson in official papers - his mother was Mille Ford who married Sonny's father Miller). Birthdate according to his passport was April 7, 1909 (he sometimes gave his birth as December 5, 1897 - other files say March 11, 1908 - and the years 1899, 1910 and 1912 are also listed), in Glendora, Tallahatchie County, Miss. Died: May 25, 1965, Helena, Ark (his headstone erroneously gives his date of death as June 23, 1965). First recordings: Jackson, Miss Jan 4, 1951 and re-cut on March 12 Eyesight To The Blind / Crazy About You Baby - Trumpet 129. Records for: Trumpet 51-54, Checker 55-64, Storyville-Denmark 1963.
Essential CDs: His Best - MCA/Chess CHD 9377 (20 great chronological tracks);
or: Essential Sonny Boy Williamson (2CD) - MCA/Chess CHD2-9343
Editor´s choise: The Chess Years (4CD) - Charly RED Box 1
plus: King Biscuit Time - Arhoolie CD 310 and Goin´ In Your Direction - Trumpet AA-801
or: Eyesight To The Blind 1951-1954 - Acrobat ACRCD 210 (25 tracks)
For Collectors: Eyesight To The Blind - Blue City BCCD 811 (30 Trumpet tracks)
Reading: Fessor Mojo´s Don´t Start Me To Talkin´ by William E. Donoghue (US, 2000)
and Spinning Blues Into Gold - The Chess Brothers and the Legendary Chess Records by Nadine Cohodas (US 2000)

Search on Sonny Boy Williamson Sonny Boy at Wikipedia on Sonny Boy Sonny Boy at The Blues Database | Visit Sonny Boy´s Lonesome Cabin |  Sonny Boy | | Sonny Boy | More on Sonny Boy and audio | | Great Biography & Discography | The story of SBW II |   You Tube Videos: Nine Below Zero  |  Your Funeral and My Trial

I'm A Lonely Man

R&B Top 10 Hit: 1955     Don´t Start Me (To) Talking More of His Very Best Songs: 1951     Eyesight To The Blind 1952     West Memphis Blues 1953     Mighty Long Time 1953     Gettin´ Out Of Town 1954     No Nights By Myself 1956     Keep It To Yourself 1956     The Key To Your Door 1957     Fattening Frogs For Snakes 1957     I Don´t Know 1957     Born Blind (Eyesight To The Blind) 1957     Ninety Nine 1958     Your Funeral And My Trial 1959     It´s Sad To Be Alone 1959     Cool Disposition 1959     The Goat 1960     Checkin´ Up On My Baby 1960     Open Road 1960     Too Close Together 1961     Down Child 1962     Nine Below Zero 1963     Got To Move             (Please Let Me Come Back Home) 1963     Help Me 1963     One Way Out 1964     (I Want You) Close To Me 1965     I Can´t Be Alone 1965     Bring It On Home 1965     Don´t Send Me No Flowers       Sonny Boy's original Chess LPs     Down And Out Blues - LP 1437 (1959)   The Real Folk Blues (In Memorium) - LP 1503 (1965)   More Real Folk Blues - LP 1509 (1966)   Bummer Road - LP 1536 (1969)   This Is My Story - 2LP 2CH50027 (1972)   One Way Out - CHV 417  (1975)   Sonny Boy Williamson - 2LP 2ACBM-206 (1976)   Sonny Boy Williamson Vol 2 -  2LP CXMD 4012 (1976 UK)

HOWLIN´ WOLF 
"The Mighty Wolf", "Big Foot", "John D" - Electrifying guitarist/harmonica player and Delta/Chicago blues singer, who modernized the pre-war country blues traditions of the Delta. Learned the guitar from Charlie Patton and the harmonica from Sonny Boy II in Mississippi and Arkansas. Started his own band in West Memphis in 1948 - the Houserockers. Worked as a DJ and was introduced to record makers by Ike Turner in 1951. Recorded in Memphis for Sam Phillips (who leased the masters to Chess), and in West Memphis for the Bihari brothers (issued on RPM). Nowadays there is material enough for three full-packed CDs covering Wolf's early period - and a truly powerful one!. Moved to Chicago and Chess in 1953. Some famous members of his Chicago band of the ´50s and early ´60s: Willie Johnson,gtr (who also worked with him in Memphis/West Memphis); Hubert Sumlin, gtr; Hosea Lee Kennard and later Henry Grey and Johnny Jones,pno; and Earl Phillips and later S.P. Leary, dms (some blues fans even think Wolf's band was better than Waters').One of the Chess labels´ important blues legends´ "The Big Four" (Muddy, Wolf, Little Walter, and Sonny Boy). Born: Chester Arthur Burnett, June 10, 1910, White Station (4 miles northeast of West Point), Clay County, Miss. Died of cancer January 10, 1976, Hines VA hospital, Chicago, Illinois. First recordings: May 14, 1951 Baby Ride With Me (aka Ridin'  In The Moonlight) and How Many More Years - unissued at the time w. Sam Phillips, producer sent to Chess);  Memphis, Tenn same session or June, 1951 (audition acetate from Sam Phillips) Baby Ride With Me aka Riding In The Moonlight and How Many More Years (sent to RPM/Modern); Memphis July, 1951 Moanin´ At Midnight / How Many More Years - Chess 1479  - issued on August 15 (this session, produced by Phillips); and West Memphis September, 1951 Riding In The Moonlight / Morning At Midnight - RPM 333 (plus Dog Me Around and Keep What You Got - all four produced by Joe Bihari). First in Chicago: March, 1954 No Place To Go - Chess 1566. Records for: RPM and Chess 51-52, Chess 53-75.
Essential CDs: His Best - MCA/Chess CHD 9375 (20 great chronological tracks);
and His Best Vol. 2 - Chess 12026
or: The Chess Box (3CD) - MCA/Chess CHD3-9332
Editor´s choise: The Complete Recordings 1951-1969 (7CD) - Charly RED Box 7
(including all 54 Chess/Phillips Memphis recordings)
and: Howling Wolf Sings The Blues (all the RPM-Modern-Crown recordings 1951-1952) - Ace CDCHM 1013
or its pre-issue Howling Wolf Rides Again - Ace CDCHD 333
For Collectors: Memphis Days: The Definitive Edition Vol 1 and Vol 2 - Bear Family BCD 15460 AH and 15500 AH
(40 of the Chess/Phillips tracks; also found on the first two volumes of "The Complete" above). Wolf''s Memphis recordings are simply terrific!
Reading: Moanin´ At Midnight - The Life and Times of Howlin´ Wolf by James Segrest & Mark Hoffman (Pantheon, 2004);
Chicago Breakdown by Mike Rowe (Edison Bluesbooks, 1973)
Search on Howlin' Wolf
Howlin' Wolf at Wikipedia
on Howlin' Wolf
Wolf at The Blues Database
| HowlinWolf.com | (official)
| More about The Howlin´ Wolf |
| Photos |

ELMORE JAMES 
"King of Slide Guitar" - Guitarist/Delta blues singer and the most important slide guitar stylist and disciple of the legendary Robert Johnson. Toured with Sonny Boy II and Robert Jnr Lockwood in the Delta during the ´30s. Worked in Missisippi, Arkansas and came to Chicago in 1952. Debuted recording in Jackson, Miss 1951 and later was recorded by Ike Turner for the Biharis, (led by Joe Bihari, who also recorded him in the South, Chicago, L.A. and N.O.). Bad health kept Elmore from recording more than he did. His famous band were the Broom Dusters, featuring members of the legendary Tampa Red´s band: Little Johnny Jones, pno: J.T. Brown, sax; Odie Payne, dms. Joined Bobby Robinson's labels in 1959 (redording in Chicago, New York and Jackson, Miss. Born: Elmore Brooks (stepfather James), January 27, 1918, Richland, Miss. (near Canton). Died May 24, 1963, Chicago, Ill (heart attack). First recordings: Jackson, Miss August 1951 Dust My Broom - Trumpet 146; and Chicago, October 1952 I Believe / I Held My Baby Last Night - Meteor 5000. Records for: Meteor 1952, Checker 1953, Flair 53-56, Chief 1957, Chess 1960, Fire/Fury/Enjoy 59-63.
Essential CD: The Sky Is Crying - The History of... - Rhino R2 71190 (21 great tracks)
Editor´s choise: The Classic Early Recordings (3CD - the Modern years) - Ace ABOX 4
and: King of the Slide Guitar (4CD Chess-Fire 1952-1963) - Charly CD RED Box 4
For Collectors: Blues After Hours - Ace CDCHM 1043 (reissue of Crown LP plus bonus tracks)
Reading: The Amazing Secret History of Elmore James by Steve Franz (BlueSource Publ, 2003)
Search on Elmore James
Elmore James at Wikipedia
on Elmore James
Elmore at The Blues Database
| More on Elmore | Elmore James Discography |
| More Elmore |

LITTLE WALTER 
"King of Harmonicas" - The most influental harmonica player and a successful Chicago Bar Blues singer and sometimes guitarist. Worked with Jimmy Rogers and Baby Face Leroy and joined Muddy Waters during the late ´40s. Arrived in Chicago in 1946 after stints in New Orleans and Helena, Arkansas. Started his own band in 1952 - the Night Cats - later famous as the Jukes, featuring brothers Louis and David Meyers, gtrs; and Fred Below, dms (who actually were Junior Wells´ "Little Muddy Waters" band). Was later accompanied by a.o. Robert Jnr. Lockwood and Luther Tucker, gtrs. Continued to back Muddy Waters on several occasions during the ´50s (especially on most of Muddy´s hit records). Inducted into thee Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. Born: Marion Walter Jacobs, May 1, 1930, Alexandria, Louisiana (or 1928 or 1929 or poss. May 2, 1931, Marksville, Louisiana). Died: February 15, 1968, Chicago, Ill. (injures from street fight, shot). First recordings: Chicago 1947 I Just Keep Loving Her - Ora Nelle 711; Checker: May 12, 1952 Juke - Checker 758. Records for: Checker 52-66.

Essential CDs: His Best - MCA/Chess CHD 9384 (20 great chronological tracks);
or:  Essential Little Walter (2CD) - MCA/Chess CHD2-9342
Editor´s choise: The Chess Years, 1952-1963 (4CD) - Charly CD RED Box 5
or more recently: The Complete Chess Masters (1950-1967) (5CD) - Hip-O Select 126360-2
For collectors: Blues with a Feeling (2CD with rare Chess) - MCA CHD2-9357
Reading: Blues with a feeling - The Little Walter Story by Tony Glover, Scott Dirks & Ward Gaines (Routledge, 2002)
| Updates on book |
  
Search on Little Walter
Little Walter at Wikipedia
on Little Walter
Little Walter at The Blues Database
Little Walter Discography  |  Little Walter
| More on Little Walter | Little Walter story and audio |

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1952     Juke (instr)     8w 1952     Mean Old World 1952     Sad Hours (instr) 1952     Tonight With A Fool 1953     Tell Me Mama 1953     Off The Wall (instr) 1953     Blues With A Feeling 1953     You´re So Fine 1954     Oh, Baby 1954     You Better Watch Yourself 1954     Last Night 1955     My Babe     5w 1955     Roller Coaster (instr) 1956     Who 1958     Key To The Highway Other Best Of... 1948     Blue Baby             (Sunnyland Slim & Muddy Water) 1950     Muskadine Blues 1951     Evan´s Shuffle (by Muddy Waters) 1952     Boogie (instr) 1952     Driftin´ 1952     That´s It (instr) 1953     Quarter To Twelve (instr) 1954     I Gotta Find My Baby 1954     Mellow Down Easy 1956     Hate To See You Go 1956     Just A Feeling 1957     Everybody Needs Someboday 1958     Everything´s Gonna Be Alright 1959     You´re Sweet 1960     Just Your Fool 1960     Blue Midnight (instr rec 1952) 1961     You Don´t Know 1963     Dead Presidents        Little Walter's Original Chess LPs         The Best of - Chess LP 1428 / Checker 3004 (1958)   Hate To See You Go - LP 1535 (1969)   Boss Blues Harmonica - 2LP 60014  (1972)     (reissued as 2LP 202, 1976)   Confessin'  The Blues - LP 416  (1975)   Little Walter Vol 2 - 2LP 4011 (1976 UK)   The Best of, vol. 2 - MCA/Chess  LP 9292 (1986)

JIMMY REED 
"Boss Man of the Blues" - "Cousin Peaches". Popular and distinctive guitarist/harmonica player and Chicago blues singer in the Down South Louisiana/Mississippi "swamp" style. Came to Chicago from Mississippi in 1948 (after having lived in Chicago before the war and returned to Leland after military services), and settled in Gary, Indiana in 1949. Worked with San Francisco as base from 1970. Especially worked with Eddie Taylor, Lefty Bates and later Phil Upchurch and Wayne Bennett, gtrs; Earl Phillips and later Al Duncan,dms in Chicago. Was Vivian Bracken-Carter´s (of VeeJay) most consistent act, produced by Jimmy Bracken and Calvin Carter and later by manager Al Smith. Became the most successful of the blues singers during the late ´50s and early ´60s. Born: Mathis James Reed, September 6, 1925, Dunleith, Miss. (near Leland). Died from epileptic seizure August 29, 1976, Oakland, Calif. First recordings: as hca-playing sideman (with Eddie Taylor) on Jim Brim's Gary Stomp (instrumental)/Tough Times - Parrot (1953); himself: Chicago June 6, 1953 High And Lonesome / Roll And Rhumba - Chance 1142/VeeJay 100. Records for: VeeJay 53-65, Bluesway 66-68, Bluestime 69-70.
Essential CD: Blues Masters/The Very Best of... - Rhino R2 79802   (17 great tracks);
or: Best of the Vee-Jay Years - Shout!Factory 8266631063
or: Boss Man (2CD) - Recall (UK) SMCD 232 (36 great Vee-Jay tracks in chronoorder)
Editor´s choise: The Vee-Jay Years (6CD 1953-1965) - Charly CD RED Box 9
For Collectors: Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall - Shout!Factory (Vee-Jay) VF 826663-10645)
Reading:  Big Boss Man - The Life and Music of Bluesman Jimmy Reed by Will Romano (Backbeat, US 2006)
Search on Jimmy Reed
Jimmy Reed at Wikipedia
on Jimmy Reed
JImmy Reed at The Blues Database
JImmy Reed Singles  at Soulful Kinda Music
| Jimmy Reed |

LOUIS JORDAN
Altosaxophonist and East Coast jazz/blues jive styled singer and a dean of jump blues linking pre-war jazz bands with post-war R&B combos with his Tympany Five (who almost never where just five - more like seven) - and holding the Billboard´s Race/R&B charts´ #1 spot for a total of 101 weeks between 1942 and 1950. Jordan was innovative and extremely popular during the war years and the birth of R&B. The later famous Bill Doggett arranged and played piano on several Jordan songs. Worked in Arkansas and came to Philadelphia in 1930. Arrived in New York 1936. Born: July 8, 1908, Brinkley, Ark. Died of heart attack February 4, 1975, Los Angeles, Calif. First recordings: with the Jungle band for Brunswick in 1929; with Clarence Williams in New York early ´30s; with Chick Webb 1936-38; for Decca 1938 with his own band - first hit after 30 issues in 1942 Knock Me A Kiss/ I´m Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town - Decca 8593. Records for: Decca 38-54, Aladdin 54, Vik 55-56, Mercury 56-58,Tangerine 62-65, Pzazz 68-69..
Essential CD: Five Guys Named Moe: 1942-1952 - MCA MACD 10503.
CDs for Collectors: Jivin´ With Jordan (4CD) - Properbox 47 (102 great tracks 1938-1951)
or  Let The Good Times Roll: The Complete Decca (8CD+1LP 1938-1954) - Bear Family BCD 15557 IH
also: Rock ´N´Roll - Mercury 838219-2
Reading: Let The Good Times Roll - The Story of Louis Jordan & His Music by John Chilton (US, 1994)
Search on Louis Jordan
Louis Jordan at Wikipedia
on Louis Jordan
Jordan at The Blues Database
| Louis Jordan web site | official

R&B # 1 Hits (of his 54 Top Tens): 1943   What´s The Use Getting Sober  1w 1944   Ration Blues 1w 1944   G.I. Jive 1w 1945   Mop Mop 1w 1945   Caldonia Boogie (aka Caldonia) 7w 1946   Buzz Me 9w 1946   Don´t Worry ´Bout That Mule 1w 1946   Stone Cold Dead In The Market 5w 1946   Choo Choo Ch´Boogie 18w 1946   Ain´t That Just Like A Woman 2w 1947   Ain´t Nobody Here But Us Chickens 17w 1947   Texas And Pacific 2w 1947   Jack, You´re Dead 7w 1947   Boogie Woogie Blue Plate 14w 1948   Run, Joe 2w 1949   Beans And Corn Bread 1w 1949   Saturday Night Fish Fry 12w 1950   Blue Light Boogie 7w Some Other Classics: 1943   Five Guys Named Moe 1945   Salt Pork, West Virginia 1946   Beware 1946   Let The Good Times Roll 1947   Open The Door, Richard 1948   Barnyard Boogie 1949   Baby It´s Cold Outside (with Ella Fitzgerald) 1951   How Blue Can You Get 1956   Beware Brother Beware 1957   Got My Mojo Working

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BUDDY JOHNSON
"The Walk ´Em Rhythm Man" - Qualitative and popular band-leader at the Savoy Ballroom, vocalist and great composer. Started to play the piano at age of four. Came to New York in 1938 and formed a 16-pice big band (which lasted longer then all the other swing bands - Johnson toured one-nighters with his orchestra into 1964 (although in later years the band was not that large anymore). Went with the Cotton Club Revue to Europe. Sister Ella Johnson (born June 22, 1923 and a truly great vocalist - hailed by critics as the equal of Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald -, who sang on most of Johnson's hits; died in February, 2004) joined the band in 1940. Balladeer Arthur Prysock joined in late 1943 and Buddy also had a vocal group on his revue called The Bee Jays. Born: Woodrow Wilson Johnson January 10, 1915 in Darlington, South Carolina. Died of brain tumor (cancer) - after serveral years of being a minister- on February 9, 1977. First recordings: New York November, 1939 with The Mack Sisters Jammin' in Georgia / Stop Pretending on Decca 7864. Records for: Decca 1949-1952, Mercury 1953-1958, Roulette 1958 and later Old Town.
Essential CD: Walk ' Em - Ace CDHCD 623 (with 24 great Decca recordings 1940-1952).
For Collectors: Buddy & Ella Johnson 1953 - 1964 (4CD) on Bear Family BCD 15479-DH (all Mercury and post-Mercury recordings).
Search on Buddy Johnson | Buddy & Ella
Buddy Johnson at Wikipedia (not yet)
on Buddy Johnson
Buddy at The Blues Database
| More on Buddy |

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1943   Let's Beat Out Some Love 1943   Baby Don't You Cry 1944   When My Man Comes Home   1w 1946   They All Say I'm The Biggest Fool 1950   Because, Pts 1 & 2 1953   Hittin' On Me 1954   I'm Just Your Fool 1956   Bring It Home To Me More Super-Greats: 1941   Boogie Woogie's Mother-in-Law 1941   Please Mr. Johnson 1944   Fine Brown Frame 1945   Walk 'Em 1946   Since I Fell For You 1955   Bitter Sweet 1957   Rock On

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T-BONE WALKER 
"The Blues Guitar Wizard" - Texas "territory band" influenced guitarist and blues singer. A true giant of blues - legendary - and creator of modern blues. Pioneer in developing the electric guitar sound. Inspirer of the modern exponents of "industrial guitar blues sounds". Toured with medicine shows - dancing and playing banjo - during the ´20s. Worked with Cab Calloway and Milt Larkin during the ´30s. Worked in Oklahoma and in the ´40s in California, Detroit and Chicago, and settled in Los Angeles. Some of his important backing musicians: Bumps Meyers, tenor sax; Willard McDaniel, pno; Oscar Lee Bradley, dms. Was produced by the legendary Ralph Bass (for Black & White - the masters soon bought by Capitol) and later by arranger - tenor saxophonist Maxwell Davis (for Imperial), and Nesuhi Ertegun (for Atlantic). Had severe problems with his stomach from the ´50s on and sometimes inactive. Born: Aaron Thibeaux Walker, May 28, 1910, Linden,Texas. Died of pneumonia March 16, 1975, Los Angeles, California. First recordings: Dallas, Texas December 5, 1929 as Oak Cliff T-Bone Wichita Falls Blues / Trinity River Blues; Los Angeles with Les Hite Orch c:a June, 1940 T-Bone Blues - Varsity 8391; Hollywood with Freddie Slack,pno in July, 1942 Mean Old World I Got A Break Baby - Capitol; Chicago May 1945 Sail On Boogie / Im´ Still In Love With You - Rhumboogie 4000. Records for: Black & White 46-48, Comet/Capitol 1949, Imperial 50-54, Atlantic 55-59, Bluesway 67-68.
Essential CD: Blues Masters: The Very Best of.. - Rhino R 2 79894
Editor´s choises: The Complete Capitol/Black & White Recordings (3CD) - Capitol 829379-2;
The Complete Imperial Recordings (2CD) - EMI CDP7 96737-2;
T-Bone Blues - Atlantic 8020-2;
The Chronological T-Bone Walker 1929-1946 - Classics 5007.
For Collectors: The Original Source (4CD) - Properbox 38 (90 great early tracks with a 44 page booklet)
Reading: Stormy Monday - the T-Bone Walker Story by Helen Oakley Dance (Da Capo, 1987)
Search on T-Bone Walker
T-Bone Walker at Wikipedia
on T-Bone Walker
T-Bone at The Blues Database
| More on T-Bone Walker | Even more on T-Bone |
T-Bone Discography 1929 - 1951 (from Properbox)

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1946     Bobby Sox Baby (Blues) 1948     Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just As Bad) 1948     Long Skirt Baby Blues 1948     I´m Waiting For Your Call 1948     West Side Baby 1949     T-Bone Shuffle Other Essential Songs (The Very Best): 1940     T-Bone Blues (with Les Hite) 1942     Mean Old World (with Freddie Slack) 1944     I´m Still In Love With You 1945     T-Bone Boogie 1946     I´m In An Awful Mood 1947     T-Bone Jumps Again (instr) 1948     That´s Better For Me 1949     Hypin´ Woman Blues 1949     Plain Ole Down Home Blues 1949     I Want A Little Girl 1950     Strollin´ With Bone (instr) 1950     Travelin´ Blues 1951     Welcome Blues 1951     Cold Cold Feeling 1951     I Got The Blues Again 1952     Street Walkin´ Woman 1952     Blue Mood 1953     My Baby Is Now On My Mind 1954     Bye Bye Baby 1954     Pony Tail 1954     Strugglin´ Blues 1955     Papa Ain´t Salty 1955     T-Bone Blues (Atlantic) 1956     Blues For Marili (instr) 1957     Evenin´ 1959     Two Bones And A Pick (instr) 1966     Takes A Lot Of Know-How 1968     Goin´ To Funky Town (instr)

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CHARLES BROWN
"The Blues Crooner" - Pianist/singer and foremost exponent of West Coast Texas influenced Club Blues. Worked in Baytown (Texas), Arkansas and San Francisco and settled in Los Angeles in 1943. Joined Johnny Moore´s Three Blazers as lead vocalist in 1944, who capitalized on Nat Cole Trio´s successes. Turned solo in late 1948. Highly active up to his death. Born: September 13, 1922 (not 1920), Texas City, Texas; died January 21, 1999. First recordings: Los Angeles 1944 as pianist with Johnny Moore´s Three Blazers featuring Frankie Laine for Atlas; and in March 1945 with Moore Johnny´s Boogie / You Taught Me To Love You - Exclusive 205 (Brown vocal on the B-side); first record as solo artist: L.A. November 11, 1948 Get Yourself Another Fool - Aladdin 3020. Recordings for: Exclusive (with Johnnny Moore), 45-48, Modern 46. Solo: Aladdin 48-56, Ace 59-60, King 60-68, Bluesway 1969.
Essential CD: Driftin´ Blues - The Best of.. - EMI CDP7-97989-2
or: Hard Times & Cool Blues - Sequal NEXCD 133
For Collectors - with Johnny Moore´s Three Blazers: Drifting & Dreaming - Ace CDCHD 589
Reading: Blue Rhythms - Six Lives in Rhythm and Blues by Chip Deffaa (US 1996)
The Real Rhythm and Blues by Hugh Gregory (Blandford, 1998)
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Important Hits with Johnny Moore´s Three Blazers: 1946   Drifting Blues 1946   Sunny Road 1947   New Orleans Blues 1947   Merry Christmas Baby R&B Top 10 Hits (solo): 1949   Get Yourself Another Fool 1949   Long Time 1949   Trouble Blues   15w 1949   In The Evening When The Sun Goes Down 1949   Homesick Blues 1950   My Baby´s Gone 1951   Black Night   14w 1951   I´ll Always Be In Love With You 1951   Seven Long Days 1952   Hard Times More Yum-Yum: 1955   My Heart Is Mended 1955   Fools Paradise 1959   I Want To Go Home (with Amos Milburn) 1968   Merry Christmas Baby

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JOE TURNER
"Big Joe" - "The Boss of the Blues" - Jazz/blues singer - the original and ultimate Blues Shouter with roots in Kansas City and an important link between R&B and R&R. Recorded in Kansas, New York, L.A., Texas, and N.O. Made his debut with pianist Pete Johnson, with whom he worked during several terms, and later worked with several band constellations. Was on the decline when Atlantic´s Herb Abramson (who had produced him for National) "picked him up" and re-introduced him with Harry Van Walls billed at the piano. Several mid ´50s records billed as Joe Turner & His Blues Kings (using legendary N.O., Chicago and N.Y. jazz and blues musicians). Is considered a true Giant Blues Singer. Billed "Big Joe Turner" on several LPs. Born: May 18, 1911, Kansas City. Died of heart attack November 24, 1985, Inglewood, Calif. First recordings: Live at Carnegie Hall, NYC December 23, 1938 It´s All Right Baby (aka Roll ´Em Pete) / Low Down Dog - issued on Vanguard in 1959. N.Y. December 30, 1938 Roll ´Em Pete / Goin´ Away Blues - Vocalion 4607; June 30, 1939 Cherry Red Vocalion 4997; first post-war rec N.Y. February 1945 S.K. Blues - National 9010. Records for: Vocalion 1939, Decca 40-44, National 45-47, Aladdin 1947, Freedom 49-50, Imperial 1949, Atlantic 51-62, Bluesway 1967, Kent 1970.

Essential CD: Big, Bad & Blue-The Big Joe Turner Anthology (3CD) - Rhino R2 71550 or: The Definitive Blues Collection (2CD) - Rhino 122748 For Collectors: All The Classic Hits 1938-1952 (5CDbox) - JSP 7709 Reading: Honkers and Shouters - The Golden Years of Rhythm & Blues by Arnold Shaw (Collier Books, US 1978) Search on Joe Turner Big Joe Turner at Wikipedia on Joe Turner Big Joe at The Blues Database | More on Big Joe | Joe Turner Singles Discography at Soulful Kinda Music

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1946     My Gal´s A Jockey 1950     Still In The Dark 1951     Chains Of Love 1952     The Chill Is On 1952     Sweet Sixteen 1952     Don´t You Cry 1953     Honey Hush    8w 1953     T.V. Mama 1954     Shake, Rattle And Roll    3w 1954     Well All Right 1954     Flip, Flop And Fly 1955     Hide And Seek 1956     Corrine Corrina 1956     Morning, Noon And Night 1956     The Chicken & The Hawk 1956     Lipstick Powder And Paint Other Essential Songs: 1938     It´s All Right Baby (with Pete Johnson) 1939     Cherry Red (with Pete Johnson) 1940     Piney Brown Blues 1941     Blues On Central Avenue 1944     Rebecca 1945     Johnson & Turner Blues 1947     (New) Wee Baby Blues 1948     Tell Me Pretty Baby 1949     Blues Jumped A Rabbit 1953     Married Woman 1954     You Know I Love You 1954     In The Evening 1956     Roll ´Em Pete 1957     Red Sails In The Sunset 1958     (I´m Gonna) Jump For Joy

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WYNONIE HARRIS
"Mr. Blues" - Blues shouter and risqué styled lady-killer and self-taught some-times drummer. Worked as dancer and comedian. Hired by Lucky Millinder in 1944. Was semi-retired during 1953 - 1960, but regarded as a true R&B pioneer. Born: August 24, 1915, Omaha, Nebr. Died of cancer June 14, 1969, Los Angeles, Calif. Worked in Omaha, Kansas City, arrived in Los Angeles 1941 and also worked in New York - back to Los Angeles in 1945, and came back to New York in 1947. First recordings: NYC early 1945 with Lucky Millinder Who Threw The Whiskey In The Well /Hurry Hurry - Decca 18674; Los Angeles July 1945 with Johnny Otis Around The Clock Blues - Philo/Aladdin 103; L.A. August 2, 1945 with Illinois Jacquet Wynonie´s Blues - Apollo 362. Records for: Apollo 1945, Aladdin 46-47, King 47-57.
Essential CD: Bloodshot Eyes: The Best of.. - Rhino R2 71455
or: Jukebox Hits 1946-1954 - Acrobat ADMCD4315
For Collectors: Rockin' The Blues (4CD) - Properbox 20 (81 tracks 1944-1950)
Reading: Rock Mr. Blues - The Life and Music of Wynonie Harris by Tony Carlins (Big Nickel, 1995)
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R&B Top 10 Hits: 1945   Who Threw The Whiskey In The Well           (with Lucky Millinder)    8w 1945   Around The Clock Blues  (with Johnny Otis All Stars) 1946   Wynonie´s Blues (with Illinois Jacquet) 1946   Playful Baby 1948   Good Rockin´ Tonight   1w 1948   Lolly Pop Mama 1949   Grandma Plays The Numbers 1949   I Fell That Old Age Coming On 1949   Drinkin´ Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee 1949   All She Wants To Do Is Rock   2w 1949   I Want My Fanny Brown 1950   Sittin´ On It All The Time 1950   I Like My Baby´s Pudding 1950   Good Morning Judge 1950   Oh Babe! 1951   Bloodshot Eyes 1952   Lovin´ Machine

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AMOS MILBURN
With roots in Texas, Navy services between 1942-45, Milburn became a West Coast R&B pioneer - pianist/singer - linking club and dance hall blues styles, with arrangements by Maxwell Davis, featured on tenor sax. First worked in Houston and came to Los Angeles in 1945. Was labeled "with His Aladdin Chicken Shackers" during the peak of his career and had several classic "drinking" hits. Highly popular during the early years of R&B and was faithful to Eddie Mesner´s Aladdin Records for a long period. Worked with Charles Brown during their declining years in the late ´50s. Suffered his first stroke in 1970. Born: April 1, 1927, Houston, Texas. Died of stroke January 3, 1980, Houston, Texas. First recordings: L.A., California September 12, 1946 After Midnight/ Amos´ Blues - Aladdin 159. Records for: Aladdin 46-57, King 60-61, Motown 62-64.
Essential CD: Down The Road Apiece (Aladdin) - EMI 827229-2
or: Blues & Boogie: His Greatest Hits (Aladdin) - Sequel NEX CD 132
or: Amos Milburn Rocks - Bear Family BCD 16926 AR
CD For Collectors: The Chicken Shack Boogie Man (2CD) - Proper PVCD102 (1946-1951)
or: One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer (4CD anth) - EMI TOCP7 2585-88
or: Blues, Barrelhouse and Boogie Woogie 1946 - 55 (3CD) - Capitol CDP 36879
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R&B Top 10 Hits: 1948  Chicken-Shack Boogie 5w 1948  It Took A Long, LongTime 1948  Bewildered 3w 1949  A&M Blues 1949  Hold Me, Baby 1949  In The Middle Of The Night 1949  Roomin´ House Boogie 2w 1949  Empty Arms Blues 1949  Let´s Make Christmas Merry, Baby 1949  Real Pretty Mama Blues 1950  Walking Blues 1950  Sax Shack Boogie 1951  Bad, Bad Whiskey   3w 1951  Let´s Rock A While 1951  Tears, Tears, Tears 1952  Thinking And Drinking 1953  Let´s Have A Party 1953  Let Me Go Home Whiskey 1953  One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer 1954  Good Good Whiskey More Memorable Songs: 1946  After Midnight 1947  Down The Road Apiece 1947  Amos Boogie Woogie

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JOHNNY OTIS
"Godfather of R&B"- Bandleader/ drummer / vibraphonist (and sometimes singer) and one of the most important figures of pioneer R&B - with roots in the Kansas City / Omaha tradition, inspired by Lionel Hampton. Worked with several early LA artists, like Charles Brown (and played drums on his famous "Driftin´ Blues" in 1946), Wynonie Harris, Joe Swift et co. Co-owner of L.A. blues clubs "The Barrelhouse" and later "The Oasis". Johnny changed from playing drums to vibes after an accident in 1949. The Johnny Otis Rhythm & Blues Caravan / Revue / Show skyrocketed many original R&B stars: the Robins, Little Esther, Marie Adams; and included several top musicians: Pete "Guitar" Lewis and later Jimmy Nolen, gtr; Devonia "Lady Dee" Williams, pno; and Leard Bell, dms. Was billed on records as Johnny Otis, His Drums & Orchestra during the early years for Leon and Otis René (Excelsior often with a big band) and as Johnny Otis Quintette - sometimes Orchestra - (with Ralph Bass as producer for Savoy) during the early ´50s. When the quintet was enlarged to a small orchestra it also included several talents of L.A´s horns and accompanied early Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, Little Esther again, Johnny Ace and Little Richard a.o. Born: John Veliotes (Caucasian, Greek parents), December 28, 1921, Vallejo, Calif. First recordings: Los Angeles July 1945 as drummer with Wynonie Harris Around The Clock Blues - Philo/Aladdin 103 and September 13, 1945 My Baby´s Business with Jimmy Rushing, and Harlem Nocturne - Excelsior 141 and 142. Records for: Excelsior 45-48, Modern 1949, Savoy 49-51, Mercury 51-52, Peacock 52-55, Dig 56-57, Capitol 57-59, King 61-62, Kent 1968.
Essential CD: The Johnny Otis Rhythm & Blues Caravan (3CD) - Savoy/Atlantic 92859-2 (reissued on Savoy Jazz CD 17059)
and  The Chronological 1945-1947  - Classics (21 tracks) plus The Chronological 1949-1950 - Classics 5067
For Collectors: Midnight At The Barrelhouse (5CD) - JSP 7713 (featuring the Otis Congregation 1945-1951)
Reading: Upside Your Head! - Rhythm & Blues on Central Avenue by Johnny Otis (US, 1993)
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| Johnny Otis World | (official)

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1950     Double Crossing Blues    9w     (with Little Esther & the Robins) 1951     Mistrustin´ Blues     4w     (w Little Esther & Mel Walker) 1950     Misery     (w Little Esther) 1950     Cry Baby     (w Mel Walker) 1950     Cupid(´s) Boogie     1w      (w Esther-Walker) 1950     Deceivin´ Blues     (w Esther-Walker) 1950     Dreamin´ Blues     (w Mel Walker) 1950     Weddin´ Boogie    (w Esther-Walker) 1950     Faraway Blues (Christmas Blues)    (w Esther-Walker) 1951     Rockin´ Blues     (w Mel Walker) 1951     Mambo Boogie 1951     Gee Baby     (w Mel Walker) 1951     All Nite Long  (Otis and band vocal) 1952     Sunset To Dawn     (w Mel Walker) 1952     Call Operator 210     (w Mel Walker) 1959     Willie And The Hand Jive     (Otis, vocal) Other Golden Ones: 1945     My Baby´s Business    (with Jimmy Rushing) 1945     Harlem Nocturne 1946     Omaha Flash 1947     Good Boogdie Googie    (with George Washington) 1948     Midnight In The Barrelhouse    (feat Guitar Lewis) 1948     Alimony Boogie     (with Cathy Cooper) 1948     The Jelly Roll     (with Lem Tally) 1948     Alligator Meat    (with Joe Swift) 1949     Thursday Night Blues 1949     Boogie Guitar     (feat Guitar Lewis) 1949     Get Together Blues (with "Little" Esther Jones) 1949     I´m Not Falling In Love With You    (with Devonia Williams) 1950     The Turkey Hop    (with The Robins) 1952     Doggin´ Blues     (with Linda Hopkins) 1956     The Midnight Creeper     (feat Jimmy Nolen) 1957     Ma He´s Making Eyes At Me    (with Marie Adams)

Johnny Otis Pre-Savoy Years - only Excelsior (Otis Rene) and Modern (Joe Bihari) issues listed. All recorded in Los Angeles, California. Johnny Otis, His Drums & Orchestra Sept 13, 1945 (Teddy Buckner, Billy Jones, Loyal Walker, Harry Parr Jones,tpts: Henry Coker, Eli Robinson, John Pettigrew, Jap Jones, tbns; Rene Bloch, Bob Harris, Paul Quinichette, James Von Streeter, Leon Back, reeds; Bill Doggett,pno; Bernie Cobbs, gtr; Curtis Counce,bs; Johnny Otis, dms; Jimmy Rushing, vcls-1) Excelsior 141  My Baby´s Business -1 b/w Preston´s Love Mansion Excelsior 142  Jimmy´s Round-the-clock blues -1 b/w Harlem Nocturne ca Febr 1946 (Lester Current, Loyal Walker, Eddie preston, Billy Jones,tpt: John pettigrew, Jap Jones, Sonny Durham-152, George Washington, tbns; Kent Pope, Bob Harris, Paul Quinichette, James Von Streeter, Leon Beck,reeds; Gene Gilbeaux,pno-152, Henry Owens,pno; Bernie Cobbs, gtr; Curtis Counce,bs; Johnny Otis,dms) Excelsior 152  Omaha Flash b/w Jeff-Hi Stomp Excelsior 156  Miss Mitchell b/w Ultra-Violet Excelsior 157  Sgt Barksdale Pt. 1 & Pt. 2 Johnny Otis & His Orchestra (or Johny Otis Orchestra) ca Dec 1946 (Eddie Preston, Walter Williams, Lester Current, Billy Jones, tpts; John Pettigrew, Herb Mullins, George Washington,tbns; Preston Love, Buddy Colette, Paul Quinichette, James Von Streeter, Lemuel Tally,reeds, Lee Wesley Jones,pno; Bernie Cobbs,gtr; Joe Comfort,bs; Johnny Otis,dms; Washington, vcls-1) Excelsior 518  Love´s Nocturne b/w Good Boogide Googie -1 Excelsior 519  My Old Flame b/w La Bohéme And Beans Late 1947 or poss. early 1948 (John Anderson,tpt; George Washington,tbn; Big JayMcNeely,tensax; Lemuel Tally,barsax; "Darby Hicks" (prob. Devonia Williams),pno; Pete Lewis,gtr-5, Mario Delagarde, bs; Johnny Otis,dms; Cathy Cooper,vcls-1; Bardu Ali, vcls-2; Lemuel Tally,vcls-3; "Darby Hicks" vcls-4; The Four Bluebirds, vcls-6) Excelsior 536  Midnight In The Barrelhouse -5  b/w Barrelhouse Stomp Excelsior 536  Happy New Year Baby -1,3  b/w Barrelhouse Stomp   (reissue) Excelsior 537  Alimony Boogie -1,3  b/w  Hog Jaws Excelsior 540  My Baby Done Told Me -6  b/w  Court Room Blues -3,4 Excelsior 541  The Jelly Roll -3  b/w  Pay Day Blues -1,2 August, 1949 (orchestration similar to above featuring Pete Lewis and Devonia Williams plus reeds and brass; no vibes; "Little" Esther Jones,vcls-1) Modern 20-715  I Gotta Guy -1  b/w  Thursday Night Blues Modern 20-748  Mean Old Gal -1  b/w  Good Ole Blues

Listen to "Little Esther"
Check "Midnight at the Barrelhouse" 5CD -set (on JSP label)

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RUTH BROWN
"Miss Rhythm" - Original blues & rhythm thrush and a regular chart-topper establishing Atlantic Records as the most important R&B label of the ´50s. Started out in Virginia and later worked in Detroit. Sang for a month with Lucky Millinder in 1946 and was later spotted by Duke Ellington, who in Washington, DC presented her to Herb Abramson and Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic. Was hospitalized several months (after a car accident) until she was able to debut her recording career. Was directed on several early recordings by saxophonist Budd Johnson and closely worked with Willis Jackson (to whom she was married for a while) - and with arranger Jesse Stone at Atlantic. Was billed with Her Rhythmakers on several mid ´50s records. Had acting roles in TV shows in later years, and several Broadway and Las Vegas musicals, also acted in movies. Born: Ruth Alston Weston January 12 (not 30), 1928, Portsmouth,Virginia. First marriage to Texas Johnny Brown mid ´40s. Ruth died in a Henderson, Nevada hospital on November 17, 2006 (after a heart attack and stroke). First recordings: New York City April 6, 1949 Rain Is A Bringdown (uniss at the time) and May 25, 1949 It´s Raining / So Long - Atlantic 879. Records for: Atlantic 49-61, Philips 61-62, Decca 1964, Solid State 68-69, Fantasy 1980-.
Essential CD: The Essentials - Rhino R2 76162
or: Rockin´ In Rhythm-The Best of... - Rhino RHCD 2-72450
or. The Definitive Soul Collection (2CD) - Rhino 122684
Editor´s choises: Miss Rhythm-Greatest Hits and More (2CD) - Atlantic 7 82061-2
and: The Chronological Ruth Brown 1949-1950 - Classics 5003
Reading: Miss Rhythm - The Autobiography of Ruth Brown by Ruth Brown with Andrew Yule (US, 1996)
Blue Rhythms - Six Lives in Rhythm and Blues by Chip Deffaa (US 1996)
Search on Ruth Brown
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| Ruth Brown | Ruth at Wikipedia |
Ruth Brown Singles   at Soulful Kinda Music

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1949     So Long 1950     Teardrops From My Eyes    11w 1951     I´ll Wait For You 1951     I Know 1952     5-10-15 Hours   7w 1952     Daddy Daddy 1953     (Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean     5w 1953     Wild Wild Young Men 1953     Mend Your Ways 1954     Oh What A Dream     8w 1954     Mambo Baby     1w 1955     I Can See Everybody´s Baby 1955     As Long As I´m Moving 1955     It´s Love Baby (24 Hours A Day) 1955     Love Has Joined Us Together (with Clyde McPhatter) 1955     I Wanna Do More 1956     Sweet Baby Of Mine 1957     Lucky Lips 1958     This Little Girl´s Gone Rockin´ 1959     I Don´t Know 1960     Don´t Deceive Me Listen To Some More: 1950     Sentimental Journey (with the Delta Rhythm Boys) 1951     Standing On The Corner 1958     Why Me 1959     Papa Daddy 1959     I Can´t Hear A Word You Say

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ROY BROWN
"The Mighty Mighty Man" - "Good Rockin' Brown" - New Orleans-based singer (sometimes pianist) and originator of the "crying blues" - later regarded as the main influence for Rhythm & Soul. He formed a gospel group as a teenager, and became a professional boxer. Started secular singing after the war (working especially in Texas) and became one of the most important originators of the New Orleans R&B sound with his "Mighty, Mighty Men" and "taught" the crying to such greats as B.B. King, Clyde McPhatter, Jackie Wilson, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, and many others. Started his hit career on the Braun brothers DeLuxe (who were stationed in New Jersey but made records in New Orleans) which was bought up by Syd Nathan´s King Records in August, 1948 - who reissued all the early DeLuxe tracks, originally in the 1000-series on a new 3000-series - the most famous being remasterings and recut versions of Miss Fanny Brown c/w Mighty Mighty Man (originally issued on DeLuxe 1128 in late 1947 and reissued in the new versions on DeLuxe 3128 in early 1949 - these two great recuts are sure improvements and are not on any of Brown's late Rhino, Classics, Collectables or Ace CD compilations, but can be found on the CD "Hard Luck & Good Rocking"). Nathan also recorded Brown in Cincinnati, Ohio. Roy later also worked in Memphis and moved to California during later years of his "ups & downs" career.  Born: Roy James Brown September 10, 1925, New Orleans, La. Died May 25, 1981, Los Angeles, Calif. First recordings: Houston,Tex 1947 Deep Sea Diver / Bye Baby Bye - Gold Star 636 and New Orleans July 1947 Good Rockin´ Tonight / Lolly Pop Mama - DeLuxe 1093. Records for: DeLuxe 47-48, DeLuxe/King 49-51, King 52-55, Imperial 56-58, King 1959, Bluesway 67-68.

Essential CD: Good Rocking Tonight - The Best of... - Rhino R2 71545 or: Rockin' At Midnight - The Very Best of .. Collectables COL 2882 (25 chronological tracks) Editor´s choises: The Chronological Roy Brown 1947-1949 - Classics 5021 and: 1950-1951 - Classics 5036 or: Blues DeLuxe (1950-1951) - Charly CD 289 and: 1951-1953 . Classics 5090 (the Classics CDs cover the complete recordings of Roy Brown between 1947 and 1953 in chronological order) For Collectors: Hard Luck & Good Rocking 1947-1950 - EPM Musique CD 16017 Mighty Mighty Man! - Ace CDCHD 459 (1953-1960) Good Rockin' Brown - Ace CDCHD 1072 (1947 DeLuxe acetates incl 17 unissued)   Search on Roy Brown Roy Brown at Wikipedia on Roy Brown  Roy Brown at The Blues Database | Roy Brown | Roy Brown Singles Discography at Soulful Kinda Music

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1948    ´Long About Midnight     1w 1949     ´Fore Day In The Morning 1949     Rainy Weather Blues 1949     Rockin´ At Midnight 1949     Miss Fanny Brown 1949     Please Don´t Go 1949     Boogie At Midnight 1950     Hard Luck Blues     3w 1950     Love Don´t Love Nobody 1950     Long About Sundown 1950     Cadillac Baby 1951     Big Town 1952     Bar Room Blues 1957     Let The Four Winds Blow Other Worthwhile Classics: 1947     Good Rockin´ Tonight 1947     Mighty, Mighty Man 1949     Butcher Pete 1950     Good Man Blues 1951     Beautician Blues 1952     Good Rockin´ Man 1953     Laughing But Crying 1953     Bootleggin' Baby 1953     Travelin´ Man 1954     Fannie Brown Got Married 1954     Worried Life Blues Roy Brown's DeLuxe session dates with repr. recordings New Orleans: July 1947 - Good Rockin' Tonight (w. Bob Ogden´s orch) Sept 1947 - Special Lesson No 1 & Roy Brown Boogie  (w. Bill Jones, gtr) Oct 1947  - Mighty Mighty Man (w Earl Barnes' orch) Oct 1947 - Miss Fanny Brown (w his Mighty Mighty Men) Dec 1947 - Long 'Bout Midnight (w Leroy "Batman" Rankins) Oct 1948 - Roy Brown Boogie & Miss Fanny Brown Returns Jan 1949 - recuts of Miss Fanny Brown/Mighty Mighty Man, plus Rockin' At Midnight March 22, 1949 (unissued rec. w members of Lucky Millinder's orch) July 1949 - Please Don't Go Dallas Sep 29, 1949 - Boogie At Midnight (w Johnny Fontenette) Cincinnati: Nov 2, 1949 - Buther Pete (w Leroy Rankins) Apr 19, 1950 - Hard Luck Blues (w Buddy Griffin) June 15, 1950 - Love Don't Love Nobody (w Leroy Rankins & Edgar Blanchard) June 22-23, 1950 - Bar Room Blues & Double Crossin' Woman Jan 16, 1951 - Good Rockin' Man & Big Town  (w Red Prysock) Sep 27, 1951 - Brown Angel (w Johnny Fontenette) Note: Aftrer this sesion Roy continued recording directly for King Records in New Orleans, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Miami up to 1956 when he was contracted to Imperial. Roy went back to King in 1959.

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B. B. KING
"The Beale Street Blues Boy" - "King of the Blues" - "Bee Bee". The most famous and internationally successful blues singer/guitarist and the greatest of the "industrial" city blues guitar stylists. King mixed the traditions of Texas and Mississippi (with origins in Blind Lemon Jefferson, Lonnie Johanson, T-Bone Walker; his three most favorites; and  Lowell Fulson, and Roy Brown - all last three partly Indian descents). Was also influenced by Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, and Bukka White (a distant cousin). Started his career, singing gospel, in Indianola, Miss and came to Memphis, Tenn in 1948. Had his own radio show in Memphis during 1949-50 and formed The Beale Street Blues Boys, featuring Johnny Ace, pno; and Earl Forrest, dms. His early RPM recordings produced by Sam Phillips, and soon by Ike Turner. Later toured the South with Bill Harvey´s Band (featuring Evelyn Young and George Coleman, saxes; Floyd Jones,tpt, Connie Mack Booker,pno; George Joyner and James Walker,bs; Ted Curry and sometimes also Earl Forrest, drums, and Charles Crosby,congas) and recorded in Houston. The last session with Harvey's band is of uncertain date, but there is a session noted February 6, 1954 (at Universal Recorders, Hollywood), featuring "The Woman I Love", "Everything I Do Is Wrong", "Whole Lotta Meat", and "Whole Lotta Love" of which "Everything..." really sounds like Harvey's band - although the other three songs most probably are Maxwell Davis-aranged tracks - Maxwell even wrote "Whole Lotta Love". Some of the Houston-sessions were brought to Los Angeles studios for editing/mastering. From 1954 he mostly made his studio recordings in L.A. led by Maxwell Davis (with Willard McDaniel on piano and Bumps Myers on tenorsax) starting with the great session done at Capitol Studios in L.A. March 2, 1954 featuring the re-recording of "Take A Little Swing With Me" as "Love You Baby", the second (jump) recording of "Don't You Want A Man Like Me", "When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer" and the hit "Everyday I Have The Blues" (The next session in August, done at Modern's own studios, featured "You Upset Me Baby"). Billed as B.B. "Blues Boy" King & His Orchestra from his mid ´50s RPM releases through 1957 (the first single: "Love You Baby"). Early members of the B.B. King touring Orchestra from 1955 were recruited from the Harvey band - Coleman, Joyner, Curry and Forrest, and probably also Crosby. Pianist Millard Lee became bandleader in the first line-up. Other original band members were Kenny Sands and Calvin Owens, trumpets (Owens later became band leader), Lawrence Burdine and Floyd Newman, baritone saxes. Soon also Johnny Board, tensax joined and later Pluma Davis, tbn; Bobby Forte, tenorsax; Sonny Freeman, dms; Duke Jethro, pno; Hugh McCracken and Milton Hopkins, gtrs; and Cato Walker, altosax (who had been bus driver and "extra tour manager"). The Maxwell Davies orchestra during 1954-1957 variously comprised: Davis, Bumps Myers, Charles Waller, Lorenzo Holden, Maurice Simon, Jack McVea, Floyd Turnham, and Jewel Grant (saxophones), Jake Porter (tpt), McDaniel (pno), Ralph Hamilton, Billy Hadnot, and Red Callender (bass), Jesse Sailes and Jessie Price (drums). King worked in Texas, California, Chicago and later New York, settling in Los Angeles during the late 1960s. King switched from Kent to ABC in 1962 but made his last session for Kent on December 28, 1965 ("Rock Me Baby" may have been recorded March 18, 1964). During the early/mid ´60s Kingäs band was for a while reduced to Sands,tp; Bobby Forte,ts; Duke Jethro,pno; Wilbert Freeman,bsg; and Sonny Freeman,dms. Born: Riley B. King, September 16, 1925, Berclair (near Itta Bena and later moved to Kilmichael), Mississippi (although B.B. calls Indianola, where he lived during the early 40s his home). First recordings: Memphis late 1949 Miss Martha King and Take A Swing With Me - Bullet 309 and 315; September 1950 B.B. Boogie - RPM 304. Records for: RPM 50-57, Kent 58-62 (possibly longer) plus one session 1965, ABC/Bluesway 62-74, from 1980 MCA.
Essential CDs: The Vintage Years (4CD) - Ace ABOXCD 8 (the legendary RPM and Kent recordings)
and: King of The Blues (4CD) - MCA D4-10677 (mostly ABC/MCA recordings)
For Collectors: Singing The Blues/The Blues - Ace CDCHD 320 (also on Flair V2-86296);
The RPM Hits 1951-1957 - Ace CDCHD 712;
The Best of the Kent Singles 1958-1971 - Ace CDCHD 760;
The Modern Recordings 1950-1951 - Ace (2CD-set) CDCHM2 835.
(Ace in U.K. have reissued the old Crown LPs on CDs with bonus tracks)
Live at the Regal - MCA MCAD-11646
Reading: The Arrival of B.B. King - The Authorized Biography by Charles Sawyer (US 1980, UK 1981)
and Blues All Around Me - The Autobiography of B.B. King by B.B. King & David Ritz (US, 1996)
and The B.B. King Treasures by B.B. King with Dick Waterman and Charles Sawyer (Bulfinch 2005 incl a 16-track CD)
and Blues Boy - The Life and Music of B.B. King by Sebastian Danchin (University Press of Mississippi, 1998)
and Every Day I Sing The Blues: The Story of B. B. King by David Shirley (US, 1995)
and Lives In Music - B. B. King: There Is Always One More Time by David McGee (Backbeat, US 2005)
and The B.B. King Reader by Richard Kostelanetz (1997 & 2005)
Search on B. B. King
B. B. King at Wikipedia
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B.B. King at The Blues Database
B.B. King Singles Discography at Soulful Kinda Music
The B.B. King Juke Box
| B. B. King Web Site (official) | B. B. King (official) | King BluesClub, N.Y. (official) |
| B. B. King´s home page | B. B. King BluesClubs | B. B. King |

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1952     3 O´ Clock Blues     5w 1952     You Know I Love You      2w 1952     Story From My Heart And Soul 1953     Woke Up This Morning 1953     Please Love Me     3w 1953     Please Hurry Home 1954     When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer 1954     You Upset Me Baby     2w 1954     Whole Lotta´ Love 1955     Every Day I Have The Blues 1955     Ten Long Years 1956     Bad Luck 1956     Sweet Little Angel 1956     On My Word Of Honor 1958     Please Accept My Love 1960     Sweet Sixteen 1960     Got A Right To Love My Baby 1960     Partin´ Time 1961     Pease Of Mind 1966     Don´t Answer The Door 1968     Paying The Cost To Be The Boss 1970     The Thrill Is Gone 1970     Chains And Things 1973     I Like To Live The Love Some Other Important Ones: 1949     Take A Swing With Me 1950     B.B. Boogie 1951     Don´t You Want A Man Like Me 1951     She´s Dynamite 1955     Crying Won´t Help You 1956     Sneakin´ Around 1957     You Don´t Know 1957     Troubles Troubles Troubles 1958     Why Do Everything Happen To Me 1959     Sweet Thing (LP -  issued on single in 1971) 1961     Baby, Look At You (rec earlier) 1961     I´m King 1962     Gonna Miss You Around Here 1962     Easy Listening Blues 1962     Blues At Midnight  - ABC 1963     Downhearted (How Blue Can You Get) - Kent 1963     Down Now - Kent 1964     Rock Me Baby (Pop # 34) - Kent 1964     Never Trust A Woman 1965     Got Em Bad - Kent 1968     I´m Gonna Do What They Do To Me 1968     Lucille 1969     Why I Sing The Blues 1971     The Thrill Is Gone 1973     To Know You Is To Love You   B. B. King at Ace Records, UK

B.B. King´s original Crown and Kent LPs   The Crown albums were issued between late 1956-1963 and the   Kent LPs during tha latter part of the ´60s and early ´70s.   The reissues are on Custom and United   (issued during the ´70s - Custom 10xx / United 77xx)    The Ace CDs include 8 bonus tracks each (897 has 10).    Kent 5016(516) is by Lowell Fulson.   Crown   5020  Singin´ The Blues  (1071 / 7726) Ace CDCHM 1041   5063  The Blues  (1077 / 7732) Ace CDCHM 1084   5115  B.B. King Wails  (1049 / 7711 as I Love You So) Ace CDCHM 882   5119  Sings Spirituals  (1059 / 7721 as Swing Low Sweet Chariot)  Ace CDCHM 1093   5143  The Great B.B. King  (1073 / 7728)  Ace CDCHM 1049   5167  King Of The Blues  (1075 / 7730)  Ace CDCHM 897   5188  My Kind of Blues  (1069 / 7724)  Ace CDCHM 881   5230  More B.B. King  (1046 / 7708 as Blues For Me)  Ace CDCHM 1034   5248  Twist With B.B. King (not on Custom/United) not on Ace   5286  Easy Listening Blues  (1043 / 7705)  Ace CDCHM 1011   5309  Blues In My Heart  (1040 / 7703 as A Heart Full Of Blues) Ace CDCHM 996   5359  B. B. King  (1052 / 7714 as The Soul Of B.B. King)  Ace CDCHM 986   Kent   5012  Rock Me Baby - 14 Great Hits (7733)   5013  Let Me Love You  (7734)   5015  Live On Stage  (7736)   5021  The Jungle  (7742)   5029  Boss Of The Blues  (7750)   2-533  From The Beginning (2-set with dubbed brass)   9011  Anthology of The Blues - B.B. King 1949-1950 (7788 as Original Folk Blues)   539  The Incredible Soul Of BB. King  (7756)   548  Turn On To B.B. King  (w. extra rhythm)  (7763 as Turn On With ..)   552  The Greatest Hits of Vol 1  (7766) identical to first half of 2-533   561  Better Than Ever  (7771 reissue of  5167 +"That Evil Child")   563  Doing My Thing, Lord (reissue of 5119)   565  B.B. King Live (reissue of 515)  (7772)   568  The Original Sweet 16  (7773 -reissue of Rock Me Baby)      Note: Later Kent issued   Kent 2002  Just Sweet Guitar (Spotlight on Lucille)    - which was originally (circa 1973) intended for United 7792

Below are listed the tracks of the 2-set album by B.B. which has his old hits and some new ones with overdubbed brass and rhythm (directed by Maxwell Davis):
KST 2-533 - From the Beginning - B.B. King [1967/68] Album 1: Please Love Me/Rock Me Baby/Everyday I Have the Blues/Woke Up This Morning/My Own Fault/5 Long Years//You Upset Me/Blue Shadows/The Woman I Love/You Know I Love You/Sweet Little Angel/Treat Me Right. Album 2: Sweet Sixteen/Eyesight to the Blind/Beautician Blues/Bad Luck/Troubles Troubles/Sneakin' Around//Sweet Thing/3 O'Clock Blues/The Jungle/Let Me Love You/The Worst Thing in My Life/Shot Gun Blues.

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BOBBY BLAND
"Big Bobby Blue" - "The 3 B Blues Boy" - Down South singer and main creator of the modern soul-blues sound, mixing gospel with blues and R&B. Sang gospel in Memphis during the late ´40s. Worked loosely with B.B. King (as a valet in the early ´50s and on tours during the ´80s) and with Rosco Gordon and Earl Forrest. Extremely popular in Black America during the ´60s and ´70s. Toured heavily with an orchestra led by Bill Harvey, tenorsax and used Wayne Bennett on guitar. Billed and named Bobby "Blue" Bland during the ´50s, mostly stationen in Memphis, but working in Texas, Chicago and Mississippi too. Born: Robert Calvin Bland, January 27, 1930, Rosemark, Tenn. First recordings: Memphis August 1951 Crying - Chess 1489 and Crying All Night Long - Modern 848; for Duke in Memphis 1952: I.O.U. Blues / Lovin´ Blues - Duke 105. Records for: Duke 52-72, ABC 73-78, MCA 79-82, Malaco 1985-.
Essential CDs: The 3B Blues Boy 1952-59 - Ace CDCHD 302
and The Voice 1959-69 - Ace CDCHD 323
or: Bobby Blue Bland - The Anthology (2CD) - MCA 088-112-596-2
Reading: Urban Blues by Charles Keil (Chicago Press, 1966)
Search on Bobby Bland | Bobby "Blue" Bland
Bobby Bland at Wikipedia
on Bobby "Blue" Bland
Bobby Bland at The Blues Database
Bobby Bland Discography

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1957   Farther Up The Road   2w 1958   Little Boy Blue 1959   I´ll Take Care Of You 1960   Lead Me On 1960   Cry Cry Cry 1961   I Pity The Fool   1w 1961   Don´t Cry No More 1961   Turn On Your Love Light 1962   Ain´t That Loving You 1962   Yield Not To Temptation 1962   Stormy Monday Blues 1963   That´s The Way Love Is       2w 1963   Call On Me 1964   Ain't Nothing You Can Do 1964   Share Your Love With Me 1964   Ain't Doing Too Bad (Part 1) 1965   These Hands (Small But Mighty) 1966   I´m Too Far Gone (To Turn Around) 1966   Good Time Charlie 1966   Poverty 1967   You´re All I Need 1967   That Did It 1960   Chains Of Love 1970   If You´ve Got A Heart 1972   Do What You Set Out To Do 1973   This Time I´m Gone For Good 1974   Ain´t No Love In The Heart Of The City 1975   I Wouldn´t Treat A Dog Some Other Favorites: 1963   Sometimes You Gotta Cry A Little 1968   Drifting Blues 1976   Let The Good Times Roll (with B.B. King)

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LITTLE JUNIOR PARKER
"Blue Flame" - "Junior" - Talented singer /harmonica player popularizing modern Memphis blues sounds. Worked with the Howlin´ Wolf and with the Beale Streeters, also with the Johnny Ace Revue. Later toured in packages with Bobby "Blue" Bland and with his own band. Dropped his pre-fix "Little" from 1964 and worked mostly in Memphis, Houston (from 1954) and Chicago. Born: Herman Parker, Jr. March 27, 1932, West Memphis, Ark. died of brain tumor November 18, 1971, Blue Island (Chicago), Ill. First recordings: West Memphis April 1952 You´re My Angel /Bad Women Bad Whiskey - Modern 864; Memphis June 18, 1953 Feelin´ Good /Fussin And Fightin´ Blues - Sun 187 as Little Junior´s Blue Flames. Records for: Sun 53, Duke 53-66, Mercury 66-69, Capitol 1960-.
Essential CD: Junior´s Blues: The Duke Recordings Vol 1 1954-1964 - MCA MCAD 2CD-10669
CD for Collectors: The Mercury Recordings -Collectables COLCD 5624
Search on Junior Parker
Junior Parker at Wikipedia
on Junior Parker
Little Junior at The Blues Database

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1953   Feelin´ Good  (as Little Junior´s Blue Flames) 1957   Next Time You See Me 1961   Driving Wheel 1961   In The Dark 1962   Annie Get Your Yo-Yo More of the Best: 1958   Sweet Home Chicago 1965   Crying For My Baby 1966   Man Or Mouse 1969   Worrried Life Blues 1971   Drowning On Dry Land

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LOWELL FULSON
"Tulsa Red" - Leading and versatile guitarist /singer, one of the great, and often underrated legends - keeping the Texas blues traditions alive. Started out in Oklahoma, moved to Gainerville, Texas and came to Oakland, California in 1943. Busy in the studios during great parts of his career. Had four major career stages: 1. The DownBeat/SwingTime Oakland phase (1946-1953), 2. The Checker Texas/Chicago/LA phase (1954-1963), 3. The "Fulsom" Kent/Maxwell Davis LA phase (1964-1969), and 4. The Legend (1970-1999). Worked with pianist Lloyd Glenn - and with Ray Charles during the early ´50s - produced by Jack Lauderdale on his early hits. After his Checker years he joined Kent Records (owned by the Biharis; and was produced by Maxwell Davis). Manager in later years: Fats Washington. Sometimes worked with the prolific Jimmy McCracklin during his successful Kent era, stationed in Los Angeles. Billed Lowell Fulsom from 1965 and into the ´70s. Born: March 31, 1921, Tulsa, Oklahama, died of kidney failure March 6 (or 7), 1999 in Long Beach, Calif. First recordings: Oakland 1946 Crying Blues / You´re Gonna Miss Me - BigTown 1068. Records for: Big Town/Down Beat 46-47, SwingTime 49-53, Aladdin 1953, Checker 54-63, Kent 64-69, Jewel 69-70.
Essential CD: Tramp / Soul - Ace CDCHD 339
For collectors: The Tramp Years - Ace CDCHD 755
and: Lowell Fulson 1946 to 1953: The Early Recordings - JSP (4CD BOX) JSPCD7728 (113 tracks - simply great)
Search on Lowell Fulson | Lowell Fulsom
Lowell Fulson at Wikipedia
on Lowell Fulson
Fulson at The Blues Database
| Fulson Obituary |

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1948     Three 0´Clock Blues 1950     Everyday I Have The Blues 1950     Blue Shadows     4w 1950     Lonesome Christmas 1950     Low Society Blues (instr with Lloyd Glenn) 1951     I´m A Night Owl 1954     Reconsider Baby 1967     Tramp Some Other Goodies: 1947     San Francisco Blues (as Fulson Trio) 1952     Guitar Shuffle (instr) 1953     There Is A Time For Everything 1955     Loving You 1956     Trouble Trouble 1956     Tollin´ Bells 1958     That´s All Right 1960     I Want To Know 1960     Blue Shadows (Checker Rec.) 1964     Baby 1964     Everytime It Rains 1965     Black Nights 1967     Year Of 29 1967     Tomorrow 1969     Sleeper 1969     Price For Love 1970     My Baby 1970     The Ol´ Blues Singer

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IKE TURNER
"King of Rhythm" - "Father of Rock ´n´ Roll" - Pianist/guitarist (and sometimes singer) of the Mississippi Delta blues tradition. Started out in Clarksdale and played a vital role in the early Memphis post-war blues scene (from 1950 and worked with Robert Nighthawk). Settled in St. Louis in 1954 and was an important member of the 1960s chitlin´ circuit - north and south. Became famous with the hits of Ike & Tina Turner (and produced hits by his female back-upers The Ikettes. Was "married" to Tina during 1958-1976. Ike, who learned the piano from Pinetop Perkins in Clarksdale, started his Kings of Rhythm in around 1950, featuring a.o. tenor saxophonists Raymond Hill and Jackie Brenston (Brenston sang on the "Rocket 88" hit). Produced and worked with B.B. King, the Howlin´ Wolf, Elmore James, and several other Memphis and Delta blues singers during the early ´50s. Jailed for drug conviction during the ´90s, but back and in full bloom these days, working with Los Angeles as a base with his "The Ike Turner Revue" (included as one of several famous "guests" to John Lee Hooker recordings). Born: November 5, 1931, Clarksdale, Miss. Died at home in San Marcos, California December 12, 2007 (heart failure). First recordings: Memphis March 3, 1951 Heartbroken And Worried / I´m Lonesome Baby - Chess 1459; March 5, 1951 as pianist on Jackie Brenston´s Rocket "88" - Chess 1458. Records for: Chess 51, RPM/Flair 52-55, Federal 57, Cobra 58-59; as Ike & Tina Turner: Sue 60-63, Blue Thumb 65-70, Liberty 70-71, United Artists 71-75.
Essential CDs:  I Like Ike-The Best of... - Rhino R2 71819;
The Ike & Tina Turner Story 1960-1975 Time/Life (3CD) TL 19300
or: Proud Mary-The Best of Ike and Tina Turner - EMI CDP7-95846-2
For the Collector: The Chronological 1951-1954 - Classics 5176
Reading: Takin´ Back My Name - The Confessions of Ike Turner by Ike Turner with Nigel Cawthorne (Virgin, 1999)
and Ike Turner - King of Rhythm by John Collis (The Do Not Press, Uk 2003)
soon coming: Dynamite! - Ike Turner's Recorded Legacy by Fred Rothwell (Music Mentor Books).
Search on Ike Turner
Ike Turner at Wikipedia
on Ike Turner | Ike & Tina
Ike Turner at The Blues Database
| The Ike Turner Revue | official
Ike Turner Discography

R&B Top 10 Hits by Ike & Tina Turner: 1960    A Fool In Love 1960    I Idolize You 1961    It´s Gonnna Work Out Fine 1961    Poor Fool 1962    Tra La La La La 1971    Proud Mary Some Good Un´s without Tina: 1951    Rocket 88 (by Jackie Brenston)      5w 1954    I Miss You (by Dennis Bender) 1955    Matchbox (instr) 1956    Trail Blazer (instr) 1965    The New Bread (instr) One Important One with Tina: 1964    River Deep-Mountain High

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FATS DOMINO
"The Fat Man" - "Fabulous Mr. D" - "The Real King of Rock 'n' Roll" - Pianist /singer and the most popular of all R&B artists during the 1950s. Based in New Orleans, where most of his hits were made (although "Aint' It A Shame" and "Blueberry Hill" - among others - were cut in California). Influenced by Fats Waller and Albert Ammons. Trained with guitarist and brother-in-law Harrison Verrett during the ´40s; joined Billy Diamonds´ band and met producer - composer - trumpet player Dave Bartholomew, who together with Fats wrote most of the hits. Fats was the foremost exponent of the Bayou-blues and instrumental in "transforming" R&B to R&R. Some famous members of his studio band - originally summoned by Verrett: Herb Hardesty, Lee Allen, Buddy Hagans, tenor saxes; Walter Nelson, Ernest McLean and Roy Montrell, gtrs; Cornelius Coleman and Earl Palmer, dms. Some of Domino's recordings in New Orleans had pre-recorded instrumental tracks with Frank Fields and Allen Toussaint on piano in the late 1950s. There were 19 original Imperial albums issued in US between 1956-1963.  Born: Antoine Domino, Jr. February 26, 1928, New Orleans, La. (birth certificate wrongly "christened" him Anthony). First recordings: N.O. December 10, 1949 - The Fat Man / Detroit Blues - Imperial 5058. Records for: Imperial 49-62, ABC 63-65, Mercury, Reprise.

Essential CD: They Call Me The Fat Man (4CD 1991) - EMI CDP7-96785-2; reissued as:  Walking To New Orleans (4CD 2002) - Capitol 37374; or: Legends of the 20th Century (Vol 13) - 20th Century 521714-2 (25 classic chronologic tracks). For collectors: Out of New Orleans: The Complete Imperial (8CD) - Bear Family BCD 15541 HI (222 great tracks incl severl alternates and undubbed). or: Rockin  On Rampart (2CD) - Proper PVCD120 Reading: Blue Monday - Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock 'n' Roll by Rick Coleman (2006) Videos on Fats   Search on Fats Domino Fats Domino at Wikipedia on Fats Domino Fats Domino at The Blues Database | Fats Domino Online | The Fats Domino Pages | Early Fats | More on Fats | Fats Domino at DigitalDreamDoor   Great label shots and images (don't miss this one)

		R&B # 1 Hits (of his 39 Top Tens): 1952     Goin´ Home     1w 1955     Ain´t It A Shame (Ain´t That A Shame)      11w 1955     All By Myself     3w 1956     Poor Me     1w 1956     I´m In Love Again      9w 1956     Blueberry Hill     11w 1957     Blue Monday     8w 1957     I´m Walkin´     6w 1959     I Want To Walk You Home      1w Other notable R&B Top 10 Hits: 1949     The Fat Man 1950     Every Night About This Time 1953     Goin´ To The River 1953     Please Don´t Leave Me 1953     Rose Mary 1954     Something´s Wrong 1956     Boo Weevil 1956     My Blue Heaven 1956     When My Dreamboat Comes Home 1956     So Long 1957     Blue Monday 1957     Valley Of Tears 1958     Whole Lotta Loving 1959     I´m Ready 1959     Be My Guest 1960     Walking To New Orleans 1960     Three Nights A Week 1960     My Girl Josephine 1961     Let The Four Winds Blow For Your Good Taste: 1950     Hey! La Bas (Boogie) 1958     The Big Beat 1961     Good Hearted Man 1962     Jambalaya 1962     I Hear You Knocking 1963     One Night 1963     There Goes My Heart Again 1964     Kansas City

The Fats Domino Band Touring - and recording.   1946  Dave Bartholomew´s Band Bartholomew,vcl/tpt; Meyer Kennedy,alts; Clarence Hall,tens; Fred Lane,pno; Frank Fields,bs; Dave Oxley,dm 1949-1950  Dave Bartholomew´s Band Bartholomew, Joe Harris,alts; Hall, Herb Hardesty and Alvin "Red" Tyler,tens; Salvador Doucette,pno; Ernest McLean,gtr; Fields, Earl Palmer,dm (Domino toured with this band in 1950). 1951-1954  The Fats Domino Band Domino,vcl/pno; Herb Hardesty, ts (only on recordings not band-member); Robert "Buddy" Hagans, tens; Wendell Duconge (real name Emmett W. Fortner), alts; Harrison Verrett, advisor and sometimes gtr, Walter "Papoose" Nelson,gtr; Billy Diamond,bs and road manager; Cornelius "Teeno" Coleman,dm; John "Little Sonny" Jones, vocals on stage (this was Domino's first own band although he had played with Diamond, Verrett and Hagans for years before this first band was formed). 1953-1955 During these years Hardesty, sometimes Lee Allen and Clarence Ford plus Fields played on Domino recordings together with the band. October 1955 On the "I'm In love Again" recording: Allen, Hardesty, Ford, McLean, Fields, Palmer (who left NO for LA in 1957). 1955-1957 Domino, Bartholomew (occ), Ford (who joined the band in late 1956/early 1957), Duconge (alternating); Hagans, Hardesty (now a Domino band-member), Allen (occasionally - who joined the band in 1957), McLean, Justin Adams and Nelson (alt gtr), Fields, Coleman and Charles Williams (alternating with Earl Palmer on several recordings) June-July 1956 On the "Blueberry Hill" recording in L.A.: Domino, pno; Verrett,arr; Nelson,gtr; Lawrence Guyton,bs; Coleman,dm; Hagans, Duconge, and Eddie Silvers, saxes; Bartholomew, horn arr. 1958-1959 Domino, Bartholomew (occ), Duconge, Hardesty, Warren Bell,tens; Allen, tens; Ford,bars; McLean and Nelson (alt), Fields and Guyton (alt) Coleman and Williams (alt) October 30, 1958 On the "Margie" recording in L.A.: Domino, pno; Bartholomew, arr; Hardesty, Plas Johnson, tens; Nelson, gtr; Red Callender, bs; Earl Palmer,dm. 1960-1961 Domino, Diamond, road manager; Hardesty, Hagans, Allen, Ford, Nelson (who died in February 28, 1962) and Roy Montrell,gtrs; Jimmie Davis,bsg; Coleman 1962-1965 Domino, Bartholomew (occasionally), Hardesty, Allen, Hagans, Ford, Montrell, Davis, Coleman 1965-1969 Domino, Hardesty, Hagans, Nat Perilliat,tens; Ford, Walter Kimble,bars; Wallace Davenport,tpt; Montrell (who died in 1969), Davis, Clarence Brown,dm Note: In 1970 a tragic road accident happened in Texas, where Davis was killed and Hagans and Ford were badly hurt. Hardesty had quit the band by the late 60s. Several of the old musicians have toured with Fats in later years (especially Lee Allen and Dave Bartholomew).

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LITTLE RICHARD
"King Of Rock ´n´ Roll" - "The Georgia Peach" - "The Quasar of Rock" - Ruling original rock ´n ´ roll singer/pianist of international fame; starting out with roots from Roy Brown´s crying blues and creating the wildest rock. Worked in Atlanta, Georgia and debuted for RCA, later joined the Tempo Toppers mixed secular/gospel group and was accompanied by Johnny Otis´ quintet on recordings in 1954. Also worked in Texas. Started his own band - The Upsetters, of which several of the original line-up joined James Brown in 1956. Richard made his first famous Specialty recordings in New Orleans and left R&B/Rock ´n´ Roll for gospel music during 1958-62 - and again in the ´70s. Some notable New Orleans´ musicians on Richard´s famous recordings (mostly produced by Bumps Blackwell): Alvin "Red" Tyler and Lee Allen, saxophones; Roy Montrell, gtr; Earl Palmer, dms. Some members of his road band the Upsetters: Clifford Burks, Wilbert Smith, and Grady Gaines, saxes; Charles Connor, dms (who were featured on some L.A. recordings). Born: Richard Wayne Penniman December 5, 1932 (severall files say December 25, 1935 - a date nowdays rejected), Macon, Ga. First recordings: Atlanta, Georgia October 16, 1951 Taxi Blues / Every Hour - Victor 4392. Records for: Victor 51-52, Peacock 53-54, Specialty 55-58 and 1964; plus a.o. Mercury, Atlantic, Kent, Vee-Jay, Okeh and Reprise.
Essential CD: The Georgia Peach - Specialty SPCD 7012-2
For collectors: The Formative Years 1951-53 - Bear Family BCD 15448 AH;
The Specialty Sessions (3CD) - Specialty SPCD 8508 or
The Specialty Sessions (6CD) - Ace ACEBOXCD1
Reading: The Life And Times of Little Richard by Charles White (US 1984 and US/UK 1994)
Search on Little Richard
Little Richard at Wikipedia
on Little Richard
Little Richard at The Blues Database (maybe later)
| Little Richard.com | Little Richard News Home | More Little Richard |
Little Richard Discography
Little Richard at DigitalDreamDoor
 
Great label shots and images (don't miss this one)
Little Richard at rock and roll page  |  Little Richard's Ace Box CD

CHUCK BERRY
"Mr. Rock N' Roll" - "The Rock Poet" - "Mr. Crazy Legs" - Guitarist/singer - the most important rock & roll lyricist/poet (ahead of Leiber-Stoller), finding the essence of Americas teenage culture - and pioneer of rock guitar playing. Influencing most of modern rock - heavily inspired the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Roots in country & western, mixed with the humor and swing of Louis Jordan. Worked in St. Louis during the early years of his career and came to Chicago in 1955. Worked closely with pianist Johnnie Johnson and later often used Lafayette Leake on piano in studios. Ever wondered who the second guitarist is on Berry's classics? - Well it's Chuck himself (since his lead guitar often was overdubbed). Prisoned at the peak of his career. Returned to business in the mid ´60s and is probably the greatest idol of the original rock ´n´ roll fans, moving back to Missouri in later years (Wentzville). Born: Charles Edward Anderson-Berry October 18, 1926 St. Louis, Mo (not in San José, Calif. as stated in some files). First recordings: St. Louis August 13, 1954 with the Cubans (incl Oscar Washington) Oh Maria - Balla 1008; Chicago May 21, 1955 Maybellene / Wee Wee Hours - Chess 1604. Records for: Chess 55-66, Mercury 66-69, Chess 69-70, All Platinum 74-79, Atco 1979.
Essential CD:   The Chess Box (3CD) - MCA/Chess CHD3-80001
or: The Anthology (2CD) MCA 088 112304-2
or: Reelin' And Rockin', The Very Best of (2CD) - Universal EU CD 9832354
Editor´s choise: The Chess Years (9CD) - Charly CD RED Box 2
Editor's Special Gem: Johnny B. Goode - His Complete '50s Chess Recordings - Hip-O Select 9473 (4CD box 103 tracks incl alternates)
For Collectors: You Never Can Tell - The Complete Recordings 1060-1966 - Hip-O Select
Reading:
Brown-Eyed Handsome Man - The Life and Hard Times of Chuck Berry by Bruce Pegg (US, 2002)
and Chuck Berry - The Autobiography by Chuck Berry (US, 1987)
and Chuck Berry - The Biography by John Collis (Aurum Press, UK 2002)
and Long Distance Information - The Recorded Legacy of Chuck Berry by Fred Rothwell (UK 2001)
Search on Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry at Wikipedia
on Chuck Berry
Chuck at The Blues Database
| Chuck Berry.com (official) | The Chuck Berry Page |
| Mr. Rock ´n´ Roll - Chuck Berry | Chuck Berry disco | Chuck Berry News | More of Chuck |
Chuck Berry at DigitalDreamDoor
Chuck Berry videos

Great label shots and images (don't miss this one)

JAMES BROWN
"Hardest Working Man In Show-Biz" - Singer, drummer and organist - "Mr. Dynamite" - "Soul Brother No. 1" - "The Godfather of Soul" - JB is the most successful black act of the 1960s and 70s. Started his musical career in Toccoa, Georgia in 1954 with the Flames (no recordings - except for the demo of "Please, Please, Please" on November 1, 1955 at the studio of WIBB in Macon, Georgia - including Sylvester Keels, Nash Knox, Fred Pulliam, vocals; Brown, dms; Johnny Terry, vcls; Nafloyd Scott, gtr; Bobby Byrd, pno (born in Toccoa. Georgia August 15, 1934 - died in Loganville, Georgia September 12, 2007); and Ray Scott, bass. Stationed in Augusta, Toccoa and Macon (all Georgia) during 1952-1955. On the first recording the Flames changed name to the Famous Flames (with Brown, Byrd, Terry, Keels, Nash and Nafloyd completed with Little Richards´ ex-road manager Alvin (Lucas) "Fats" Gonder, pno. Soon the original Flames quit - and James back-up vocal group consisted of Little Richards' ex-backing vocal group The Dominions, featuring J.W. Archer, Bill Hollings, Louis Madison (who also played pno), plus  Willie Johnson and often also still Johnny Terry. Brown was billed with his vocal group The Famous Flames on records up to 1968 - the backing vocals in the early 50s included Johnny Terry, Bobby Byrd, Bobby Bennett, and Baby Lloyd Stallworth (now qith Les Buie on guitar). The James Brown Revue during the late 1960s and early 1970s inlcluded Soul Sisters - Bea Ford, Yvonne Fair, Vicki Anderson, Anna King, Tammy Montgomery, Marva Whitney, and Lynn Collins; Soul Brothers - Bobby Byrd, James Crawford, Hank Ballard, and Lee Austin. Long time business associate: booking manager Ben Bart. Brown changed from vocal group backing to heavy "funk" instrumental backing during 1964 when he and Bart formed Fair Deal, which resulted in recordings for Mercury´s Smash Records (with veteran arranger Sam Lowe doing a superb job with studio musicians - and with Nat Jones leading the Brown touring band). The trend setting hit on Smash was "Out Of Sight". Some of Brown´s early band members: Lucas "Fats" Gonder, pno and road manager; Wilbert "Lee Diamond" Smith, tenorsax; J.C. Davis, tenorsax (and original band leader, who later left for Etta James); Nafloyd Scott and Bobby Roach,guitars; Nat Kendrick; dms; Bernard Odum; bass. From the ´60s: St. Clair Pinckney, sax (who stayed loyal); Les Buie, gtr; Al "Brisco" Clark, sax (new band leader); soon replaced by Nat Jones; alto sax (and skillful orchestral arranger) and the innovative band leader during the first successful years of "the new bag" with Maceo Parker, multiple saxophones; Eldee Williams, tenor sax (who left for Joe Tex); Melvin Parker, dms; former Johnny Otis guitarist Jimmy Nolen; Alfred "PeeWee" Ellis, tenor sax and Jones´ successor as arranger in 1967; Jabo Starks and later Clyde Stubblefields,dms; supplemented by Fred Wesley, trombone and band leader from late 1969 - introducing the instrumentalists as The J.B.´s during 1971-1976. Bobby Byrd played piano and Brown organ on several hits. Vice-president of the Brown business during many years: Johnny Terry (from the Flames). Long-time friend: Charles Bobbit (his manager of later years). Polydor bought Brown´s masters from Syd Nathan when JB was contracted to that label in 1971 and Syd had disposed of his King Records to Hal Neely et.co. (Polydor also has the People label nowadays). James Brown´s super career was based in New York and "the Apollo", but James moved to South Carolina and later settled back in Augusta, Georgia. Born: May 3, 1933 in Barnwell County, South Carolina (not May 5, 1938 in Macon, Georgia - or in 1928, Tennessee - as stated in some files). Died in Atlanta, Georgia hospital December 25, 2006 of pneumonia. First recording: Cincinnati, Ohio February 4, 1956 Please Please Please / Why Do You Do Me - Federal 12258. Records for: Federal 56-60, King 60-71, Smash 64-67, People 71-76 (as the J.B.´s and also credits to the bandmembers), Polydor 1971-80, Scotti Bros 85-.
Essential CD: The 50th Anniversary Collection (2CD) - Polydor 60725 (50 tracks)
or: The Godfather-The Very Best of James Brown (20 tracks) - Universal 589841-2
or: Out Of Sight-The very Best of JB - Polydor 589279-2
or: The 50th Anniversary Collection (3CD) - Universal 9818083 (78 chronological tracks)
For Collectors:
Star Time-The Godfather of Soul (4CD) - Polydor 849109/112-2;
Live At The Apollo (in  1962) - Polydor 843 479-2
Live - DeLuxe Edition (2CD) (at the Apollo in 1967) - Polydor 549-884-2
Roots of A Revolution (2CD) - Polydor 817304-2;
Soul Pride-The Instrumentals 1960-1969 (2CD) - Polydor 517845-2;
The J.B.´s-Funky Good Time: The Anthology (2CD) - Polydor 527094-2
The Foundations of Funk-A Brand New Bag (1964-1969) - Polydor/Universal (2CD) 73145311652
And:  the terrific limited editions  (with great liner information incl definitive session discographies by Alan Leeds):
The Singles Volume One / The Federal Years 1956-60 (2CD) - Hip-0 Select 7029
The Singles Volume Two: 1960-1963 (2CD) - Hip-O Select 8510
The Singles Volume Three: 1964-1965 (2CD) - Hip-0 Select 8804
The Singles Volume Four: 1966-1967 (2CD) - Hip-O Select 9472
The Singles Volume Five: 1967-1969 (2CD)  - Hip-O Select 10411
The Singles Volume Six: 1969-1970 (2CD) - Hip-O Select 12204
The Singles Volume Seven: 1970-1972 (2CD) - Hip-O Select 12728

Reading:
The Life of James Brown (re-edited "Black and Proud") by Geoff Brown (UK 2007 - "1996")  - simply great!!!!
The James Brown Reader - 50 years of writing about The Godfather of Soul edited by Nelson George and Alan Leeds (Plumer, US 2008)
James Brown - The Godfather of Soul by James Brown with Bruce Tucker (US, 1986 & with epilogue by Dave Marsh 1997)
I Feel Good - A Memoir of a Life of Soul by James Brown with Marc Eliot (US 2005)
Say Ít Loud - My Memories of James Brown Soutl Brother No. 1 by Don Rhodes (US 2008)
The Hardest Working Man by James Sullivan (US 2008)
Search on James Brownon James Brown
James Brown at Wikipedia
James Brown at The Blues Database (maybe later)
| James Brown - Godfather of Soul (official) | James Brown Homepage - Funky-Stuff |
| More on James Brown | James Brown Soul Patrol |
The James Brown Discography at Soulful Kinda Music

LaVERN BAKER
"The Countess", later "The Empress of Rock ´N´ Roll" - Early R&B thrush popularizing the classic female blues traditions of the 1920s (via blues belter - aunt Merline Johnson, and  distant cousin Memphis Minnie) strongly influencing white rock´n´roll. Born in Chicago, sang in church as a child and made her professional debut in 1946-47 at Club de Lisa with Fletcher Henderson´s band. Came to Detroit in 1952 (so she knows who Hank Ballard, Jackie Wilson, and Alonzo Tucker are at!). Too often under-rated (because of only one #1 hit), she was probably the most talented of the early R&B females. Made her first recordings as Little Miss Sharecropper and as Bea Baker. After a stint with Todd Rhodes´ Detroit band in 1952, LaVern toured Europe as "the Ambassadris of Blues" and was signed by Jerry Wexler to Atlantic after her return in 1953. Was joined by the qualitative Cues vocal group (as The Gliders) on several early Atlantic hits, often backed by tenor saxophonist Sam "The Man" Taylor. Her "Tweedlee Dee" is often called the first R&B hit turning Pop and was retiteld "Tweedle Dee" after Georgia Gibbs' No. 1 Pop cover hit. Baker left America during the late ´60s (first for Vietnam services and later settled for years in the Philippines after phenumonia illness) not returning to USA until 1988, when she made a successful revival, and later substituted for Ruth Brown on Broadway´s musical "Black And Blue". Born: Delores (Dolores) Baker (later Williams by marriage) November 11, 1929, Chicago, Ill., Died by heart attack in New York March 12, 1997. First recordings: as Little Miss Sharecropper in Chicago February 25, 1949: I Wonder Baby (RCA Victor 22-0016) and Easy Baby (22-0036) with flips by Eddie Penigar Band; later early recording: Chicago June, 1950 with Red Saunders band and Hot Lips Page: Sharecropper Boogie (unissed Columbia); first for Atlantic: NYC as LaVerne Baker (later pressings LaVern) June 19, 1953 Soul On Fire - Atlantic 1004. Records for: National 1950-51, Atlantic 53-64, Brunswick 65-69.
Essential CDs: Soul On Fire-The Best of... - Atlantic 82311-2,
or: The Definitive Soul Collection (2CD)  Rhino (delayed),
or: The Platinum Collection - Warner WEA CD 79995
LaVern - Sequel RSA CD 909,
The Chronological 1949-1954 - Classics 5126 (her first 23 recordings, from "Easy Baby" to "Tweedle Dee")
Editor´s choises: The above Sequel CD and the other six on Sequel (covering the Atantic years) - Sequel RSA CD 910 - 915.
Reading: Icons of R&B and Soul, Volume 1 by Bob Gulla (Greenwood Press, US 2008)
Blue Rhythms - Six Lives in Rhythm and Blues by Chip Deffaa (US 1996)
Rhythm and the Blues by Jerry Wexler and David Ritz (Borzoi, 1993)
Search on LaVern Baker
LaVern Baker at Wikipedia
on LaVern Baker
LaVern at The Blues Database
| More LaVern Baker | LaVern Baker discography |
Listen to "Soul On Fire" & "Tomorrow Night"
A nice article on LaVern

JACKIE WILSON
"Mr. Excitement" - Original Detroit Soul singer, who never recorded for Motown, but initiated that city´s famous ´60s sound. Started out in 1952 as Sonny Wilson and then joined the Dominoes (succeeding lead Clyde McPhatter) and went solo again in 1957. Inspired James Brown´s stage routines. Worked in Detroit and came to New York City to record in 1956, also worked in Chicago and Los Angeles. Was managed by Al Green (who also managed LaVern Baker up to his death in 1957) Jackie´s early hits were composed by Berry Gordy and Roquel "Billy" Davis (under the pseudym of Tyron Carlo) and produced by Nat Tarnopol, soon owner of Brunswick. Dick Jacobs did most of the arrangements up to 1965 in New York (although some of Jackie's early Brunswick recordings were done in Detroit, a.o. "To Be Loved"). From 1966 Carl Davis co-produced and arranged Jackie's recordings - now in Chicago (Jackie's great album with Count Basie was done in Los Angeles). Long-time friend: original Midnighter Alonzo Tucker (who co-wrote several of Jackie's songs on the 1960 blues album including "Doggin' Around" and later "Baby Workout" and the nice male-back-up-vocal album "Somethin' Else"). Jackie collapsed from a stroke on stage at a rock ´n´ roll revival show at Little Casino on September 29, 1975 in Camden, N.J. and was hospitalized for the rest of his life. Born: Jack Leroy Wilson June 9, 1934, Detroit, Mich; died January 21, 1984, NYC. First recordings: Detroit 1952 as Sonny Wilson Rainy Day Blues and Danny Boy - DeeGee 4000 and 4001; with Billy Ward & his Dominoes NYC June 17, 1953 You Can´t Keep A Good Man Down - Federal 12139; first new solo rec. NYC July 12, 1957 Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want To Meet) /By The Light Of The Silvery Moon - Brunswick 55024. Records for: Brunswick 1957-1975.
 
Essential CD: The Very Best of.. - Rhino R2 71559
For Collectors: Mr. Excitement! - Rhino R2 70775 (3CD)
or: The Titan of Soul - Edsel FBook 18 (3CD)
Reading: Jackie Wilson - Lonely Teardrops by Tony Douglas
(US and UK Routledge, 2001 and 2005)
also published as  The Man, The Music, The Mob (Mainstream, 2000) 
and The Black Elvis by Doug Carter (US 1998)
Search on Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson at Wikipedia
on Jackie Wilson
Jackie at The Blues Database
Discography at Soulful Kinda Music
| Jackie Wilson | Jackie Wilson | More on Jackie |
Baby Workout at Shindig TV