Lovie Lee

Lovie Lee
Birth name Edward Lee Watson
Born (1909-03-17)March 17, 1909[1]
Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
Died May 23, 1997(1997-05-23) (aged 88)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres Electric blues[1]
Occupation(s) Pianist, singer, songwriter
Instruments Piano, vocals
Years active Early 1950s–1997
Labels Earwig
Associated acts Muddy Waters, Carey Bell, Lurrie Bell

Lovie Lee (March 17, 1909 – May 23, 1997)[1][2] was an American electric blues pianist and singer. He is best known for his work accompanying Muddy Waters,[2] although he did record a solo album in 1992. He was the 'adoptive stepfather' of fellow bluesman, Carey Bell, and thus 'grandfather' to Lurrie Bell.

Biography

He was born Edward Lee Watson in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States.[1] Lee grew up in Meridian, Mississippi, and was self-taught on the piano, utilising his skills in various churches, and playing at rodeos and vaudeville.[3] He had already acquired his nickname, 'Lovie', from a doting aunt.[4] He found part-time employment playing with the Swinging Cats in the early 1950s. The outfit included Carey Bell, who Lee took under his 'fatherly' protection, and they jointly relocated to Chicago, Illinois in September 1956.[3][4] Lee worked during the day in a woodworking factory, and for many years played in the evening in numerous Chicago blues nightclubs, including Porter's Lounge.[1][4] He was well known around Chicago for his blues piano playing.[1] Lee later worked as an upholsterer, but kept together his backing band, known as the Sensationals.[4]

After he retired from full-time day work, Lee joined Muddy Waters band in 1979, replacing Pinetop Perkins on the piano stool.[3] He was recommended to Muddy Waters by George "Mojo" Buford, after Lee had worked with Buford in North Dakota. Lee stayed in situ until Muddy's death in 1983, and then returned to playing in Chicago clubs.[4]

Lee made some private recordings in both 1984 and 1989, and this work plus later contemporary tracks, were released as the album Good Candy (1992).[1] His recording utilised musicians such as Eddie Taylor, Odie Payne, plus both Carey and Lurrie Bell.[5]

Lee died in Chicago in May 1997.[2]

Discography

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jason Ankeny. "Lovie Lee | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-01-27. These are various birth years cited for Lee, including 1917 and 1923
  2. 1 2 3 Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 1996 - 1997". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  3. 1 2 3 Pearson, Barry Lee (2005). Jook right on: blues stories and blues storytellers (1st ed.). Knoxville, Tennessee: University of Tennessee Press. p. 208. ISBN 1-57233-432-0.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Lovie Lee". Allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  5. 1 2 Scott Yanow. "Good Candy - Lovie Lee | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
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