Robert "Big Mojo" Elem
Robert "Big Mojo" Elem | |
---|---|
Birth name | Robert Elem |
Born | Itta Bena, Mississippi, United States | January 22, 1928
Died | February 5, 1997 Chicago, Illinois, United States | (aged 69)
Genres | Chicago blues, electric blues[1] |
Occupation(s) | Guitarist, singer |
Instrument(s) | Bass guitar, rhythm guitar, vocals |
Years active | 1948–1997 |
Robert "Big Mojo" Elem (January 22, 1928 – February 5, 1997) was an American Chicago blues bass guitarist and singer.[2] Although he recorded only one studio album in his long career, Elem was a part of the Chicago blues scene for over forty years. He variously backed Arthur "Big Boy" Spires, Lester Davenport, Freddie King, Magic Sam, Junior Wells, Shakey Jake Harris, Jimmy Dawkins, Luther Allison, and Otis Rush.[1]
He was noted as a "born entertainer whose joking and acting on stage appeal to club audiences".[3] Elem's energetic on-stage persona underpinned his lengthy performing career.[1]
Biography
Elem was born in
Elem had a relatively high-pitched voice, and his bass playing eschewed standard walking bass patterns, rather utilising a single-note based groove.[1] However, as a dedicated family man, Elem was reluctant to swap his day job for the vagaries of full-time musician status.[2]
In 1978, Elem recorded his debut album, Mojo Boogie,[8][9] which was released on Storyville Records.[10] The collection had a mixture of blues standards, with some original numbers co-written by Elem and his record producer George Paulus.[11] Elem was backed on the recording by the guitarists Willie James Lyons and Wayne Bennett, with Fred Below on the drums.[3] The album was subsequently reissued in 1994 on Paulus's own St. George Records.[12] Throughout this period Elem continued to perform locally, becoming well known for his own rendition of J. B. Lenoir's track, "The Mojo".[2]
Elem died in February 1997 in Chicago, aged 69.[2]
Discography
Albums
Year | Title | Record label |
---|---|---|
1978 | Mojo Boogie | Storyville Records |
1994 | Mojo Boogie! | St. George Records (reissue)[13] |
1997 | Pink | MJ12 Records |
With Luther Allison
- Love Me Mama (Delmark, 1969)
With Magic Sam
- Live at the Avant Garde (Delmark, 1968 [2013])
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Cub Koda. "Robert "Mojo" Elem – Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-135-95832-9.
- ^ a b "Big Mojo Elem, Label Storyville". Discovery-records.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ISBN 9780252039416.
- ISBN 978-0415936545.
- ^ "Freddy King* – That's What You Think / Country Boy". Discogs.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ^ Freddie King Estate. "Sweet Home Chicago". Freddiekingsite.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
- ISBN 9780415978873.
- ISBN 978-0785809005.
- ^ "Robert "Mojo" Elem – Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ^ "Mojo Boogie – Robert "Mojo" Elem – Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ^ "Big Mojo Elem Chicago Blues Band – MOJO BOOGIE! : StGeorge7703". Bluebeatmusic.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ^ "Robert Elem". Discogs.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
External links
- Obituaries: Robert "Big Mojo" Elem, Living Blues, Vol. 28, No. 4, pp. 50–51
- Robert "Big Mojo" Elem at Find a Grave
- YouTube live recording
- Big Mojo Elem. "Drawing On Dry Land : Live 1977" – via YouTube.
- Big Mojo Elem. "Mojo boogie" – via YouTube.