Frankie Lee (musician)
Frankie Lee | |
---|---|
Birth name | Frankie Lee Jones |
Also known as | Little Frankie Lee |
Born | Mart, Texas, United States | April 29, 1941
Died | April 24, 2015 Sacramento, California, United States | (aged 73)
Genres | Soul blues, electric blues[1] |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Years active | 1960s–2015 |
Labels | Various including Peacock, HighTone, Blind Pig |
Frankie Lee (April 29, 1941 – April 24, 2015)
Life and career
Frankie Lee Jones was born in
Lee befriended Albert Collins during this period, and in 1965, they both relocated to California, with Lee singing in Collins's band from that time until 1968.[1][5] In 1971, Lee was signed to Elka Records, and his cousin, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, produced Lee's tracks. Also in 1971, "Little" Frankie Lee, as he was known at the time, performed regular gigs at Joe's Nairobi Lounge in East Palo Alto, across from the now defunct Nairobi Village Shopping Center. His band was known as "Little Frankie Lee and the Lee-ettes", sporting guitarist Robert Valdez and several female backup singers. In the late 1970s, Lee's backing ensemble included the young Robert Cray.[1]
His first
Lee appeared at the Chicago Blues Festival with Sonny Rhodes, before relocating to New Jersey in 1986. He continued to perform live, gaining a growing reputation for the quality and energy of his live performances.[1] Flying Fish Records released Lee's second album, Sooner or Later (1992), on which he was backed by Doug Newby and the Bluz Blasters, with a guest appearance by Lucky Peterson.[5][4] Going Back Home (1994) was released by Blind Pig Records.[1] Lee toured widely, playing at American music festivals and in Europe and Japan.[4]
In 2004, Lee performed with Dan Treanor on the album African Wind.[5]
Lee's final album, Standing at the Crossroads, was released in 2006 by Blues Express.[5] The album was produced by Dennis Walker, who had produced The Ladies and the Babies more than twenty years earlier. Lee was nominated for the Bay Area Blues Vocalist of the Year award.[8]
Lee died on April 24, 2015, in Sacramento, California, aged 73.[2]
Discography
Albums
Year | Title | Record label |
---|---|---|
1984 | The Ladies and the Babies | HighTone |
1992 | Sooner or Later | Flying Fish |
1994 | Going Back Home | Blind Pig |
1999 | Here I Go Again | Blues Express |
2004 | African Wind, with Dan Treanor | Northern Blues |
2006 | Standing at the Crossroads | Blues Express |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Skelly, Richard. "Frankie Lee: Biography". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
- ^ a b "Jones, Frankie Lee". Obituary. WacoTrib.com. 2015-05-08. Retrieved 2015-05-31.
- ^ a b "Frankie Lee". Bluesexpress.com. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Frankie Lee". Blindpigrecords.com. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Frankie Lee". Soulbluesmusic.com. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
- ^ "Frankie Lee". Sir Shambling's Deep Soul Heaven. SirShambling.com. Retrieved December 20, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Owens, Thom. "Frankie Lee, Ladies & the Babies: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
- ^ "Frankie Lee – Standing at the Crossroads". Worldsrecords.com. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
- ^ "Frankie Lee: Discography". AllMusic.com. 1941-04-29. Retrieved 2014-01-26.