Lee Denson

Jesse Lee Denson (August 25, 1932 – November 6, 2007) was an American rockabilly singer and songwriter.[1] His songs have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Billy Williams, and the Kuf-Linx.

Lee Denson
Birth nameJesse Lee Denson
Also known asJesse James
Born(1932-08-25)August 25, 1932
Rienzi, Alcorn County, Mississippi, United States
DiedNovember 6, 2007(2007-11-06) (aged 75)
Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, United states
GenresRockabilly, pop
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active1956–1965[1]

Biography

Denson was born in Rienzi, Mississippi, but grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, where his family relocated when he was a baby. His father, Jesse James Denson, later ran a Pentecostal mission church in Memphis. As a child, Denson became friends with Johnny and Dorsey Burnette. After the Presley family moved to Memphis in 1948 and started attending the Pentecostal church on Poplar Street run by his father, he also became friendly with Elvis Presley, two years his junior, and reputedly taught him to play guitar.[1][2]

In 1953 Denson moved to Key West, Florida, where he worked as a bellboy, Denson began singing in clubs in the style of Eddy Arnold. After seeing his friends Johnny and Dorsey Burnette on television, he moved to New York City to develop a music career, eventually gaining a recording contract with the Vik label, a subsidiary of RCA Records.[2] His recordings included "Climb Love Mountain" (1957, Vik).[3][4] The b-side of the single was "New Shoes",[3] which featured guitar work by Eddie Cochran, who Denson had met while on tour in California.[2][5] The Kuf-Linx recorded a version of "Climb Love Mountain", re-titled as "Climb Love's Mountain".[6] Another of Denson's songs, "The Pied Piper",[7] was a No. 50 US hit for Billy Williams in 1957.[8][9]

Denson made several appearances on Dick Clark's Bandstand, before moving to California where he made recordings for Kent Records in 1958, credited as Jesse James. These included "The South's Gonna Rise Again", recorded with top musicians including Earl Palmer at Gold Star Studios. Denson also recorded for the Merri label in 1960. Although most of his recordings were rock and roll, he retained an interest in gospel music, and wrote "Miracle of the Rosary", based on the hymn "Ave Maria", offering the song to Presley when the two met.[2] Presley later recorded the composition,[1] and it appeared on the 1972 album, Elvis Now.[10]

In 1964, Denson recorded for the Magic Lamp label set up by Dorsey Burnette and Joe Osborn; the Carpenters made their first recordings as backing singers on the records. He returned to Memphis in 1972, and signed a contract with Stax Records. He later wrote and recorded several albums of Christian music for his own Eternal Rainbow label, as well as recording children's songs.[2]

A compilation album of Denson's work was released in April 2002 on Hydra Records. The South's Gonna Rise Again contained 23 tracks, the majority written by Denson.[11]

Denson died in Memphis, Tennessee, in November 2007 at the age of 75.[2]

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References
  1. "Lee Denson - Biography & History - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  2. "Lee Denson". Rockabilly.nl. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  3. "Lee Denson". Discogs. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  4. "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1 July 1957. p. 61. Retrieved 14 July 2018 – via Google Books.
  5. "Eddie Cochran Connection". Pcuf.fi. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  6. "The Kuf-Linx Featuring John Jennings (6) And John Woodson (3) - All Thats Good". Discogs. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  7. "Lee Denson - Songs - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  8. "Lee Denson • Top Songs as Writer • Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  9. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Top Pop Singles: 1955-2006. Record Research. ISBN 978-0898201727.
  10. "Elvis Now - Elvis Presley - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  11. "The South's Gonna Rise Again - Lee Denson - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
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