Lovie Lee

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] He also recorded a solo album, in 1992. He was the "adoptive stepfather" of the bluesman Carey Bell and thus the "grandfather" of Lurrie Bell.

Lovie Lee
Birth nameEdward Lee Watson
Born(1909-03-17)March 17, 1909[1]
Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
DiedMay 23, 1997(1997-05-23) (aged 88)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
GenresElectric blues[1]
Occupation(s)Pianist, singer, songwriter
InstrumentsPiano, vocals
Years activeEarly 1950s–1997
LabelsEarwig
Associated actsMuddy Waters, Carey Bell, Lurrie Bell

Biography

He was born Edward Lee Watson in Chattanooga, Tennessee,[1] and grew up in Meridian, Mississippi. He taught himself to play the piano and began performing in various churches and at rodeos and vaudeville shows.[3] He had already acquired the nickname Lovie from a doting aunt.[4] He found part-time employment playing with the Swinging Cats in the early 1950s. The group included Carey Bell, who Lee took under his "fatherly" protection, and together they moved to Chicago, 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] He later worked as an upholsterer, but he kept together his backing band, the Sensationals.[4]

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

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

Lee died in Chicago in May 1997.[2]

Discography
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See also

References
  1. Ankeny, Jason. "Lovie Lee: Biography". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2014-01-27. Various birth years have been reported for Lee, including 1917 and 1923.
  2. Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 1996 –1997". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  3. Pearson, Barry Lee (2005). Jook Right On: Blues Stories and Blues Storytellers. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press. p. 208. ISBN 1-57233-432-0.
  4. "Lovie Lee". Allaboutjazz.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  5. Yanow, Scott. "Lovie Lee, Good Candy: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
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