Chess Records 80

  Tuff Green | Spontaneous Lunacy/Copyright control | tc765 Bassist and band leader Richard Henry “Tuff” Green was born in Greenville, Mississippi on July 23, 1911. He formed a band which included Hank Crawford, Willie Mitchell and Gene “Bowlegs” Miller, among others. In 1951 his band accompanied B. B. King on his first hit, “Three o clock blues”. The record was recorded in Green’s home – as was Bobby Bland’s first recording, and Roscoe Gordon’s “No more dogging”.  Tuff Green died in Memphis, Tennessee, on 19 June 1966.

  Bo Diddley (l) and Jerome Green (r) | Chess Records | tc546 Percussionist, lyricist, vocalist (and comedy foil for Bo Diddley) Jerome Green is understood to have been born in or near Chicago around 1934. He was a neighbour of Elias McDaniel (Bo Diddley) and his first maracas are understood to have been made from toilet parts filled with black eyed peas. He plays maracas on Bo Diddley’s hits “I’m a man” and “Bo Diddley”, and can also be heard playing on “Maybelline” by Chuck Berry.  Jerome Green is known to have died around 1973, possibly in New York City.  

  Clarence Green | Texas Day By Day | tc414 Blues guitarist and band leader Clarence Green was born on January 1, 1934.  Green was a stalwart of the Houston scene who fronted a number of popular bands, the most famous being the Rhythmaires, between the early 1950s and his death. His brother Cal Green was lead guitarist for Hank Ballard and the Midnighters. Clarence chose the security of full-time employment with Houston Light and Power, where he worked for twenty years but did regular session work as a guitarist at various studios, especially Duke Records, where he backed Bobby Bland, Joe Hinton, and Junior Parker and released a few singles under his own name. In 1958 he had recorded his first single, “Mary My Darling,” for the C & P label, which later leased it to Chicago-based Chess Records. Clarence Green died of natural causes on March 13, 1997.

  Jordan Ramin | Public domain | tc1050 The pseudonym Morris Grant was used for a compere on a satirical jazz album to send up producer Norman Granz' "Jazz at the Philharmonic" series of albums. Producer, columnist, composer, arranger and satirist Jordan Ramin was born in 1929, was based in Boston and New York and died on 27 January 2012, age 83.

  Bonnie Graham | Image Restored by Google Archive | tc1049 Jazz and blues singer LaVerne Buckner "Bonnie Graham" was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, possibly in the late 1930s/1940s, and after winning a talent contest trip to New York, she had a short career from 1958 to 1968 then sank into obscurity. No further information is available. ls: 07/26

Don Grady | ABC News | tc1048 Actor, musician and singer Don Louis Agrati (Don Grady) was born in San Diego, California, on 8 June 1944. He acted in various television series including Wagon Train. Don Grady died of myeloma in Thousand Oaks,  California, on 27 June 2012. 

Calvin White | Journal of Gospel Music | tc1047 The Gospel Wonders were a gospel group formed in the 1960s by and featuring singer, musician and composer Calvin White. Regarded now as one of the finest gospel singers, Calvin White was the first gospel musician to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, and was inducted into the Gospel Hall Of Fame in 1984. Calvin White died in New York around early March 2007 age around 70.

Doc McKenzie and The Gospel Hi Lites | CD cover | Amazon | tc1046 Doc McKenzie and The Gospel Hi Lites are a traditional gospel group from South Carolina formed in 1965 by the Rev. Doc McKenzie. They are still performing.

  Bunky Green | Jazz Covers | tc174 Saxophonist and educator Vernice “Bunky” Green was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 23, 1935. He is a jazz alto saxophonist who is associated with Sonny Stitt and Charles Mingus. However he is best known as a leading jazz teacher who taught at Chicago State University from 1972–1989, and then the University of North Florida until his retirement in 2011. His recording of “Testifyin’ Time/Tweedle Dee” was issued on Argo 5515.  Bunky Green died in Jacksonville, Florida, on 1 March 2025.

  Henry Gray | Mami Takayama | tc094 Blues pianist and singer Henry Gray was born on January 19, 1925 in Kenner, Louisiana. He served in the US Army in World War 2. After demobilisation, he relocated to Chicago. He became one of the key players of blues piano. From 1952 he became one of the regular session men for Chess Records. In 1956 he joined Howlin’ Wolf’s band. In 1968 he returned to Louisiana where he has continued to play and attend blues festivals. In 1989, his home in the Baton Rouge area was destroyed by a tornado.  Henry Gray died in a hospice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on 17 February 2020.

The Gospel Classics | Image Restored By Google Archive | tc1045 The gospel vocal group The Gospel Classics are best known for their international hit record “More Love, that’s what we need”. Some members of the group were previously members of the Violinaires and other gospel groups, who recorded for various labels, and most were Detroit based. The members of “The Gospel Classics” were Melvin Reed, Leo Coney, Wilson DeShields, James Malone, Cleofas Tilmon, Elceanor Debose, and Charles Williams. Melvin Reed is understood to have died in 2005. Leo Coney died on 2 August 2020. No other information available. ls: 07/26

  Stomp Gordon | Arts Foundation of Oldetowne | tc561 Rock and roll, jump blues and rhythm and blues singer and pianist Archie A. " Stomp"   Gordon was born in Columbus, Ohio, on 10 February 1926.  A musical prodigy, he began playing publicly at age 13 and had his own band by 16. He was noted for his flamboyant on-stage clothes which included a zebra skin coat. His recordings were not as successful as his live performances and he only made the one recording for Chess, “The Grind”/”Don’t do me that way”.  Stomp Gordon died in New York City on 18 January 1958 from pneumonia and liver disease, aged 31.  

  Rosco Gordon | All about Blues Music | tc331 Blues singer, composer and pianist Rosco Gordon was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 10, 1928. He was a pioneer of the Memphis Blues style, which inspired reggae and ska music. With Johnny Ace, B B King and Bobby Bland he was one of the "Beale Streeters".  His first recordings were made at Sam Phillips’ Sun studio and were leased to Chess for national distribution. Phillips sold some of the master tapes to RPM Records as well as to Chess, which resulted in an eventual legal case. Gordon’s last hit “Just a little bit” was in 1960 and two years later Gordon left the music business, setting himself up with a laundry in New York. Gordon’s name was spelled as “Roscoe” on some Chess labels.  Rosco Gordon died in Queens, New York, on July 11, 2002 from a heart attack, just weeks after appearing in a television documentary about blues musicians.

Singer Lena Gordon was a rhythm and blues singer who recorded with the Sax Kari orchestra in 1954, then faded into obscurity. Unable to locate any further information. ls: 07/26

  Dexter Gordon | Billboard | tc701 Jazz tenor saxophonist and composer Dexter Gordon was born in Los Angeles, California on February 27, 1923.  He was associated with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell. His height was 6 feet 6 inches and was known as “Long Tall Dexter” and his career spanned over 40 years. One of his major influences was Lester Young. Gordon, in turn, was an early influence on John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins.  Dexter Gordon died from kidney failure and smoking related larynx cancer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 25, 1990.

  Benny Goodman | All Music | tc412 Orchestra leader and clarinettist Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 30, 1909. He was known as "The King Of Swing". Throughout segregation, he led one of the first fully integrated bands. The single released on Chess 1742, “Mission to Moscow” was recorded in 1958 and taken from a Chess LP called “Benny Rides Again” – which was also Chess’ first stereo LP. The orchestra featured on the set had a stellar line up of jazz and classical musicians, which included André Previn, Pepper Adams, Herb Geller, Barney Kessel and Shelly Manne. Benny Goodman played clarinet on all tracks. Benny Goodman  died in Manhattan, New York, on June 13, 1986 of a heart attack.

  Don Goldie | Jazzwax | tc618 Jazz trumpeter Donald Elliott Goldfield was born in Newark, New Jersey on February 5, 1930.  He is associated with Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, Neal Hefti, Gene Krupa, Earl Hines and Buddy Rich. He was also known as Billy Franklin. Don Goldie committed suicide in Miami on November 19, 1995.

Dickie Goodman with "Jaws" | Private Stock Records/Michael Ochs archives/Getty Images | tc1044 Musician, satirist and record producer Richard Dorian "Dickie" Goodman ("Dick Good") was born in Brooklyn, New York on  19 April 1934. He invented the "break in" technique - an early form of sampling - using clips of popular records to answer comedic questions poised by voice actors in a series of comedy records. His first successful recording of this type was "The flying saucer" in 1956, which also featured Bill Buchanan.  Dickie Goodman died in North Carolina on 6 November 1989 from a self-inflicted gun wound.

  Paul Gonsalves | DC Theatre Scene | tc593 Jazz tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves was born oinn Brockton, Massachusetts, on July 12, 1920.  He is best known for his association with Duke Ellington. He studied music at the Boston Conservatory.  A heroin addict,  Paul Gonsalves died in London, England on May 15, 1974 and was buried in Long Island, New York.

Thought to be a line up of The Golden Harps | Image Restored By Google Archive | tc1043 Chicago based gospel music group The Golden Harps recorded for the Checker label in 1965 and were Ann Harris, Beulah Glass, Kenneth Atkins, Leala May Harris, Rames Gunn, and Willie B. 

The John Godfrey Trio were an early 1950s rhythm and blues and jump band featuring Joseph Ellis (alto sax), Oscar Crummie (bass), Lloyd Charlton (drums) and John Godfrey (piano, vocals). Their only Chess release was recorded in Cincinatti in July 1951. Many thanks to Claude Van Raefelgem for information and help. No image has been located.

  Lloyd Glenn | SB Blues | tc111 Pianist, band leader and arranger Lloyd Glenn was born in San Antonio, Texas, on November 21, 1909. He moved to California and became a pioneer of the West Coast blues scene. He is associated with Lowell Fulson, T Bone Walker and B B King. He plays piano on T Bone Walker’s 1947 recording “Call it stormy Monday” and produced Fulson’s “Every Day I have the blues”. He released a number of recordings of his own in the 1940s to 1960s.  Lloyd Glen died in Los Angeles from a heart attack on May 23, 1985.  

  Jerry Glenn Kennedy | Vintage Guitar | tc1042 Country music singer, song writer, musician, dobro and guitar player, record company executive and record producer Gerald Glenn Kennedy (Jerry Glenn) was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on 10 August 1940. A child progidy, his Chess recording was made when he was 13. He plays guitar on many country hits including "Stand by your man" and "Oh Pretty Woman". He also plays on Bob Dylan's album "Blonde on Blonde". His productions include "King of the Road". He became an executive of the Mercury and Smash record labels. Jerry Glenn Kennedy died in Nashville, Tennessee, on 11 February 2026.

  Dick Glasser | Public domain | tc120 Singer, a songwriter and record producer  Richard Eugene “Dick” Glasser (aka Dick Lory) was born in Canton, Ohio, on December 8, 1934. He recorded a number of singles for the Chess Argo label, some under his own name and some as “Dickie and the Gees”. He served in the US Navy. In 1960 he became head of Metric Music for Liberty Records. In the mid 1960s he became a senior record producer for Warner Brothers/Reprise, producing some albums by The Everly Brothers and others. He then moved to a senior production role at MGM Records.  Dick Glasser died from lung cancer in Thousand Oaks, California, on July 10, 2000.  

  A J Gladney (second from left) | Image Restored By Google Archive | tc1041 A. J. Gladney was a blues drummer who recorded many sessions for Chess and other labels during the 1950s, and can be heard on recordings by Jimmy Rogers, Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon. It is him on "Walking By Myself" (1956). His full name and other details remain undocumented.

  Caesar Giovannini | Copyright control | tc597 Pianist, band arranger and composer Caesar Giovannini was born in Chicago on February 26, 1925. He is possibly best known for playing piano on many movie soundtracks including Wait Until Dark and Shaft’s Big Score.  Caesar Giovannini died on September 23, 2017.  

Jamie Coe and The Gigolos | Image Restored by Google | tc1040 The Gigolos were an instrumental surf/rock group who had one release on Chess, which is quite rare and a copy recently sold for more than $1,000. AI searching has discovered that they were also the backing group for a singer called Jamie Coe. The known line up of The Gigolos was: Jamie Coe (George Sgouris) - vocal, guitar, 19 November 1935 - 27 January 2007 Tony "Rupert" Sgouris - saxophone Bob "Bo" Savich, drums Pat "Gino" Ginotti, guitar Jim "Mitch" Mitchell, bass guitar

  Tony Gideon | Uncredited/Spotify | tc407 Theodis Freeman "Tony" Gideon was born in Clayton, Alabama on 19 January 1938. He was a member of the vocal group The Daylighters but also was making recordings on his own. The book “Chicago Soul” by Robert Pruter mentions this recording. Mr Gideon has been in contact with us, and informs us that he had known Leonard Chess since 1958. “Wah too si” was originally issued on Miss Records, a subsidiary of Bea and Baby Records, where Mr Gideon and Narvell Eatmon were working as producers. Mr Gideon was the first person to record a “Watusi” song. When they picked up the record for distribution, Chess changed the name of one side from “Wah too si” to “Watcha gonna do” to avoid conflict with a then current recording by The Vibrations. The record was made in 1960 and released on Chess in 1961. Mr Gideon had been involved in vocal groups since the mid 1950s. He was called up for National Service in 1961 and sings on the recording “Oh Mom teach...

Harry Raab | Musicraft Records | Image Restored By Google | tc1039 The singer Daddy-o Gibson was Harry Raab, who was born in The Bronx, New York City, on 27 June 1915. He was a rhythm and blues singer in the 1950s. Chess distributed his recording "Behind the Sun" on 78 and 45 in 1956. He was also known as "Harry The Hipster". Harry Raab died in Brawley, California, on 3 May 1991.

Gene The Hat, who recorded the novelty dance record "The bug" in 1962, which was picked up for national distribution by Chess, was an R&B singer called Gene Sposato. No information found. ls: 07/26

  Jivin’ Gene in 2014 | Uncredited/Visit Port Arthur | tc398 “Jivin’” Gene Bourgeois was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on February 9, 1940 and recorded for a number of labels with his backing group The Jokers. He was given the Jivin' nickname by producer Huey P Meaux. He later recorded for Capitol under his real name. He is considered a pioneer in the field of “swamp rock” but left the music industry from the late 1960s to spend the 1970s working on the Alaska Pipeline. He has returned to music in recent years.

The Kings of Rhythm, including Gene Washington on drums | Wikipedia | tc1038 Gene and Wendell were Eugene Washington, the drummer who played in Ike Turner’s Kings Of Rhythm in the 1950’s, and Wendell Jones. No further details available. ls: 07/26

  The Gems | MSOldschool.ning | tc082 The Gems’ were originally known as the Lovettes but there was another group of that name. A group including Jessica Collins, Verdine Harrison, Theresa Washum, Dorothy Hucklebee, and Bertha Watts had two singles on Checker, “One More Year” and “Hands Off”.” Renamed as The Gems they switched to Chess and were joined by pianist and song writer Raynard Miner. Minnie Riperton replaced Vandine Harris on “That’s What They Put Erasers on Pencils For.” “I Can’t Help Myself” was a regional hit, but subsequent records failed to sell. The group, also recording under the name of “Girls Three: Jess, Dot And Me”, disbanded in 1965, Theresa Washum and Minnie Riperton singing with the Starlettes and Riperton singing with Rotary Connection before going solo. Minnie Riperton also recorded under the name Andrea Davis before recording under her real name, but unfortunately died in 1979. A Minnie Riperton CD issued in the 1990s features some tracks by The Gems. Minn...

  Bob Geddins | WBSS Media Bay Area blues musician, singer, song writer and record producer Robert L. Geddins was born in Highbank, Texas on February 6, 1913 and moved to Oakland, California in 1948 where he founded a number of small record labels. He also leased productions to labels including Chess. He produced recordings by Sugar Pie DeSanto, Etta James, Jimmy McCracklin and Lowell Fulson.  His many compositions include the song “My Time After A While”.  Mr Geddins died of liver cancer on February 16, 1991.

  Paul Gayten | Juke in the back | tc091 Band leader, musician, talent scout, record producer and administrator Paul Gayten was born in Kentwood, Louisiana, on January 29, 1920. During WW2 he served in the US Army and led a band at a base in Biloxi, Missouri. In 1947 he moved to New Orleans. In 1956, after a successful career as a band leader and recording artist for other labels, he joined Chess as a talent scout, introducing Clarence Frogman Henry to the label. He produced Henry’s Chess hits. He also played piano on “Carol” by Chuck Berry. When Chess expanded its operations, Gayten moved to Los Angeles to run their West Coast office.  Paul Gayten died in Los Angeles, California on March 26, 1991. 

  The Gay Singers | Gospel Flava | tc343 The Gay Singers are a famous family gospel group from Chicago, Illinois, and were sisters Evelyn, Mildred and Geraldine Gay. The Gay family began on radio and recordings in the early 1940s, appearing at the Carnegie Hall, New York in 1952. The Checker singles were released towards the end of their career. There was also a brother, Donald, who became a preacher. Evelyn Gay, 1923-1984. Mildred Gay, 1926-2002. Geraldine Gay, 1931-2010. Donald Gay, 1945-

  Rex Garvin | Soul Source | tc833 Rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, arranger, producer and keyboard player Rex Garvin was born in New York on 24 July 1940. He was raised by foster parents and took piano lessons in childhood. In 1954 he formed the vocal group The Hearts, for whom he provided songs and arrangements. His neighbour Zelma Sanders formed a record company in 1956 and he began working for J&S Records. The Hearts later recorded as The Jaynetts. In 1957, Garvin was responsible for writing, producing, arranging and singing backgrounds on J&S’ most successful recording, “Over The Mountain, Over The Sea” by Johnnie and Joe, which reached No. 3 R &B and No. 8 Pop. He is also the Rex Garvin of “Sock It To Em JB” fame. Mr Garvin died in Atlanta, Georgia on December 2, 2013.

  Jo Ann Garrett | Chess Records | tc074 Jo Ann Garrett was born on March 3, 1949 in Chicago. She passed a singing audition in 1966 and her first record, Stay by my side, was recorded at Universal Studio, Chicago. Chess heard the recording and picked it up for national distribution. Her subsequent records were recorded at Chess. These included a recording with The Dells, "You can’t come in". There was another recording with The Dells, and Garrett worked with producer Andre Williams. Andre Williams and Jo Ann Garrett left Chess at the end of 1967. She was back with them for a short while in the early 1970s and then left the music business. Jo Ann Garrett is also known under the names Jo Ann Garth and Jo Anne Worley. 

  Andrew “Goon” Gardner | Uncredited/Copyright Control | tc771 Jazz and blues tenor saxophonist Andrew “Goon” Gardner was born in Laurel, Mississppi, on 12 November 1916 and became one of the pioneers of the Chicago style of jazz saxophone, and featured in the Roy Eldridge Orchestra during the Swing era. He also played in the Earl Hines orchestra with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, and with Willie Mabon's band. He was a frequent session musician at Chess. Andrew Gardner died in Chicago on 5 June 1975 from undocumented cause.

  Kenny Gamble | WBSS Media | tc848 Songwriter. film producer and record producer Kenneth "Kenny" Gamble was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 11 August, 1943 and is still living.  As a child he was fascinated by recordings and recording machines, and became a broadcasting assistant on a local radio station before operating his own record shop. Mr Gamble was only 17 when he was discovered by his first songwriting and production partner, Jerry Ross. He then teamed up with songwriter, producer and musician Leon Huff. In 1967 they had their first major national hit record with “Expressway to your heart” by The Soul Survivors. They launched their record labels including Neptune (distributed by Chess) and Gamble in 1967/68 and worked on productions for other companies including Atlantic and Mercury. Wanting to equal Motown, they formed Philadelphia International Records in partnership with Columbia Records in 1971.

  Mamie Galore Davis | Copyright control | tc483 Mamie Galore Davis was born in Irwin,  Mississippi, on September 24, 1940.  She started singing in a Church choir as a girl. She toured with Little Milton and Ike & Tina Turner before signing to St. Lawrence Records in Chicago. Her 1966 recording ‘It Ain’t Necessary’ was a local hit. She moved to California where she continued to write and record Blues songs. Mamie recorded ‘No Right to Cry’ and duetted with her songwriting partner Dee Irwin for Imperial Records. In 1972 she became a music teacher in the Southern states, and was known as ‘The Soul Queen of Greenville’. On some recordings she is credited as Mamie P. Galore. Mamie Galore died from a stroke in Jackson, Mississippi on October 6, 2001.

  Harry Deal and The Galaxies, 1960 | Harry Deal | tc469 Harry Deal and the Galaxies are understood to be a rock and roll band formed in Taylorsville, North Carolina, United States, in 1959, by brothers Harry Deal and Jimmy Deal. By 1968 they had built their own recording studio. The band is still performing and still includes members of the Deal family. Harry Deal died in Hickory, North Carolina, on 16 December 2017.

  Buddy Guy at the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival, 2009 | File Photo | Uncredited | Copyright control | tc038 George “Buddy” Guy was born oin Lettsworth, Louisiana on July 30, 1936 and is a successful blues singer, songwriter and club proprietor. He plays on many Chess recordings: Guy was a member of Muddy Waters’ band and was a house guitarist at Chess Records. He can be heard on Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor” and Koko Taylor’s “Wang Dang Doodle” as well as on his own Chess sides and the series of records he made with harmonica player Junior Wells. His flamboyant style and high level of amplification influenced a whole generation of musicians in the 1960s. He is also a highly regarded player of acoustic guitar blues.

  Harvey Fuqua | Soul Sides | Public Domain | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty | tc017 Harvey Fuqua was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on July 27, 1929.   He founded the seminal Moonglows, helped build up the Chess label then helped build the Motown label, helped Marvin Gaye get established; he was the nephew of Charlie Fuqua of The Ink Spots and was the uncle of film director Antoine Fuqua. While at Chess he recorded duets with Etta James, having hits with “If I Can’t Have You” and “Spoonful”. Harvey Fuqua, centre, with the Moonglows, including Marvin Gaye, second left, in 1959 | Guardian | tc021 Mr Fuqua also became a trustee of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, set up to provide some of the music’s pioneering figures with the financial rewards they were due. Harvey Fuqua died in Detroit, Michigan, on July 6, 2010 of a heart attack.

  Lowell Fulson |  KOSU | tc1036 Lowell Fulson was born in Atoka,  a Choctaw reservation in Oklahoma , on March 31, 1921.  He was one of the key West Coast blues players of his generation. On some labels his surname is credited as Fulsom, for contractual reasons.  “Reconsider Baby” was recorded for Checker Records in 1954, recorded in Dallas under Stan Lewis’ supervision with a saxophone section that included David “Fathead” Newman on tenor and Leroy Cooper on baritone. Jackie Brenston played in Fulson’s band between 1952 and 1954.  Lowell Fulson died  of heart failure  in Long Beach, California, on March 7, 1999.

  Louisiana Red | 1975: David Redfern/Redferns | tc096 Louisiana Red was born Iverson Minter in Bessemer, Alabama on March 23, 1932. He recorded for Chess in 1952, after leaving the Army, under the name Rocky Fuller. In the early 80s, he relocated to Chicago, then Phoenix and then Germany, where he married and settled. As well as recording for a number of labels, and recording many albums, he also had a number of film appearances. He also won a number of awards, including the W C Handy Award.  Louisiana Red died following a stroke and coma  in Hanover, Germany on February 25, 2012. 

  Johnny Fuller | Uncredited | tc284 Singer and guitarist Johnny Fuller was born i n Edwards, Mississippi, on April 20, 1929.  During his career he played blues, rock and roll and rhythm and blues. He was born in Mississippi but moved to California where he became well known in music circles. He toured extensively with rock and roll shows. He worked as a garage mechanic before his death. J ohnny Fuller died in Oakland, California, on May 20, 1985 from lung cancer.

  Ellington Jordan | Rate Your Music | tc231 The psychedelic rock group Fugi was product made by songwriter and singer Ellington Jordan (a co writer of the song “I’d rather go blind”) backed up by a Detroit rock group called Black Merda, who were also signed to Chess/Cadet. Ellington Jordon was born in Los Angeles, California in 1940 and moved to Detroit in the 1960s to start his musical career. “I’d rather go blind” was based on his experiences in prison. The album by Fugi remained unreleased for a couple of years, but was not a success and he quit music for a while. By the 1990s he had relocated to Fresno, California, where he died age 80 on June 18, 2020.

  Willie Walters (left) and Pearlstine “Perk” Badger (right) | Sir Shambling | tc562 “The Frisco singers” released on US Chess 2039 in 1969 is now known to have been Perk Badger, who also recorded under the name of Mr. Percolator, and sometimes as “The Soul Percolator”.  He continued to record through the 1960s to the 1980s but without national success, and was unaware of the interest abroad in his recordings, which is a shame. He also sang with gospel groups and is closely associated with gospel singer Willie Walters, who was also his manager. Pearlstine “Perk” Badger was born on February 12th 1940, and died in June 1996. Willie Walters was born in Shellman, Georgia, on 11 December 1930 then moved to Jacksonville, Florida. He served in the US Army. After discharge he  became a singer in gospel group The Star Lights before moving to Miami where he had several businesses including a night club. He died on 24 April 2014.

  A Friendly Five LP Cover | Copyright control | tc468 The Friendly Five were a long running gospel vocal group from Bunnlevel, North Carolina, formed by Robert H. Harris, who was born on March 23, 1916 and died on September 3, 2000, with Bishop Eugene Davis and Rev. Purdie. The original group comprised Robert Harris' brothers and cousins. The blues singer George Higgs sang with them during the 1960s. The group is still performing. The exact line up for the Checker LP pictured has been lost.

  George French | ArtistInfo | tc792 Bassist and vocalist George French became famous as a session musician during the 1960s and can be heard on many recordings, including those of Robert Parker, Willie Tee, and many others. George French was born on 28 February 1944. His father was Albert "Papa" French, leader of the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band. A cousin was Dave Bartholomew, who hired him to play on recordings by Fats Domino. George French recorded with a number of jazz bands including the Traditional Hall Jazz Band, which was led by his brother and drummer  Bob French, who died in 2012. Drummer Gerald French is his son.  George French died from complications arising from COVID on 20 August 2024.

1970s soul group Free Spirit were Robert Irvin (Bobby Love), James ? and Tony Sharpe. Their Chess recording was produced by Bobby Eli. No photos located but there is a blurred image of Free Spirit on YouTube.

  Von Freeman | E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune | tc706 Jazz tenor saxophonist and mentor Earle Lavon “Von” Freeman Sr. was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 3, 1923. His father was a close friend of Louis Armstrong, who lodged with them in Chicago. Freeman began his professional career at the age of 16 in Horace Henderson’s Orchestra. He served in the Navy during World War II and after training he was sent to Hawaii as part of the Hellcats band. After the war he resumed his music career, and mentored countless younger musicians including Corey Wilkes and Ben Paterson. Freeman is considered a founder of the “Chicago School” of jazz tenorists, a group which includes Gene Ammons, Johnny Griffin and Clifford Jordan. Jazz saxophonist Chico Freeman is his son.  V on Freeman died from heart failure in Chicago, Illinois on August 11, 2012.