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{{Short description|American Chicago blues guitarist}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Lefty Bates
| image =
| name = Lefty Bates
| caption =
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| background = solo_singer
| image_size =
| birth_name = William Bates
| birth_name = William H. Bates
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1920|3|9|mf=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1920|3|9|mf=y}}
| birth_place = <small>[[Leighton, Alabama]], [[United States]]</small>
| birth_place = [[Leighton, Alabama]], United States
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2007|4|7|1920|3|9|mf=y}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2007|4|7|1920|3|9|mf=y}}
| death_place = <small>[[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], United States</small>
| death_place = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], United States
| instrument = [[Guitar]]
| instrument = [[Guitar]]
| genre = [[Chicago blues]]<ref name="AMG"/>
| genre = [[Chicago blues]]<ref name="AMG"/>
| occupation = [[Guitarist]]
| occupation = [[Guitarist]]
| years_active = Mid 1930s – early 1980s
| years_active = Mid 1930s – early 1980s
| label = [[RCA Records|RCA]], [[Vee-Jay Records|Vee-Jay]], various
| label = [[RCA Records|RCA]], [[Vee-Jay Records|Vee-Jay]], various
| associated_acts = [[Jimmy Reed]], [[Buddy Guy]]
| associated_acts = [[Jimmy Reed]], [[Buddy Guy]]
| website =
| website =
| notable_instruments =
}}
}}


'''Lefty Bates''' (March 9, 1920 – April 7, 2007)<ref name="Dead">"Rock, Doc" (2007). [http://thedeadrockstarsclub.com/2007.html "The Dead Rock Stars Club 2007 January to June"]. thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Accessed October 13, 2011]</ref> was an [[United States|American]] [[Chicago blues]] guitarist. He led the Lefty Bates Combo and worked with the [[The El Dorados|El Dorados]], the [[The Flamingos|Flamingos]], [[Jimmy Reed]], [[John Lee Hooker]], [[Buddy Guy]], [[Etta James]], the Aristo-Kats, the Hi-De-Ho Boys, the Moroccos, and the [[The Impressions|Impressions]].<ref name="Dead"/> A regular on the Chicago blues scene, his major work was as a [[session musician]] on numerous recordings in the 1950s and 1960s.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p54897|pure_url=yes}}|title=Lefty Bates |author=Eugene Chadbourne |publisher=[[Allmusic]] |accessdate=October 13, 2011}}</ref>
'''Lefty Bates''' (March 9, 1920 – April 7, 2007)<ref name="Dead">Doc Rock (2007). [http://thedeadrockstarsclub.com/2007.html "The Dead Rock Stars Club: 2007, January to June"]. TheDeadRockStarsClub.com. Accessed October 13, 2011.</ref> was an [[Americans|American]] [[Chicago blues]] guitarist. He led the Lefty Bates Combo and worked with the [[The El Dorados|El Dorados]], the [[The Flamingos|Flamingos]], [[Jimmy Reed]], [[John Lee Hooker]], [[Buddy Guy]], [[Etta James]], the Aristo-Kats, the Hi-De-Ho Boys, the Moroccos, and the [[The Impressions|Impressions]].<ref name="Dead"/> A regular on the Chicago blues scene, his major work was as a [[session musician]] on numerous recordings in the 1950s and 1960s.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p54897|pure_url=yes}}|title=Lefty Bates: Biography |author= Chadbourne, Eugene |publisher=[[Allmusic]].com |accessdate=October 13, 2011}}</ref>


Bates was married to the well-known area club dancer Mary Cole Bates, who died in 2001.<ref name="CT">{{cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-04-19/news/0704180912_1_mr-bates-session-player-blues |title=William H. 'Lefty' Bates: 1920–2007 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=April 19, 2007 |first=Trevor |last=Jensen |accessdate=2011-10-14}}</ref>
Bates was married to the locally well-known club dancer Mary Cole Bates, who died in 2001.<ref name="CT">{{cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-04-19/news/0704180912_1_mr-bates-session-player-blues |title=William H. 'Lefty' Bates: 1920–2007 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=April 19, 2007 |first=Trevor |last=Jensen |accessdate=2011-10-14}}</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
He was born '''William Bates''' in [[Leighton, Alabama]], and acquired his nickname from his left-handed guitar playing.<ref name="Dead"/> He was raised in [[St. Louis, Missouri]], attended [[Vashon High School]], and there helped to form the Hi-De-Ho Boys.<ref name="Hubcap">{{cite web |url=http://campber.people.clemson.edu/club51.html |title=The Club 51 Label |author=Robert Pruter and Robert L. Campbell |date= |work= |publisher=Hubcap.clemson.edu |accessdate=October 13, 2011}}</ref> In 1936, they relocated to [[Chicago]], recorded for [[Decca Records]] and played in clubs. After serving in the military in [[World War II]], Bates joined the Aristo-Kats, who recorded for [[RCA Records|RCA Victor]].<ref name="AMG"/>
He was born '''William H. Bates''' in [[Leighton, Alabama]]. He acquired his nickname from his left-handed guitar playing.<ref name="Dead"/> He was raised in [[St. Louis, Missouri]], and attended [[Vashon High School]], where was a founder of the Hi-De-Ho Boys.<ref name="Hubcap">{{cite web |url=http://campber.people.clemson.edu/club51.html |title=The Club 51 Label |author1=Pruter, Robert |author2=Campbell, Robert L. |date= |publisher=Hubcap.clemson.edu |accessdate=October 13, 2011}}</ref> In 1936, they relocated to [[Chicago]], recorded for [[Decca Records]] and played in clubs. After serving in the military in [[World War II]], Bates joined the Aristo-Kats, who recorded for [[RCA Records|RCA Victor]].<ref name="AMG"/>


Bates formed his own [[musical ensemble|ensemble]] with [[Quinn Wilson]], and they played locally through most of the 1950s. Their few recordings were issued by [[United Records|United]], Boxer, Mad and Apex Records under Bates's name. Most of his paid work came from regular performances in clubs and as a [[session musician]], notably as a [[rhythm guitarist]] with [[Jimmy Reed]] and [[Buddy Guy]].<ref name="AMG"/> He undertook other work with [[Larry Birdsong]] and Honey Brown. His versatility led to employment as part of the [[recording studio|studio]] band for [[Vee-Jay Records]], with [[Red Holloway]] and [[Vernel Fournier]], among others.<ref name="Hubcap"/> Most of the musicians there had earlier worked for [[Chance Records]], backing [[Jimmy Reed]] and the [[The Spaniels|Spaniels]]. Vee-Jay's financial strength helped them survive, and their studio band was expected to back diverse musicians on an ad hoc basis, including [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[blues]], [[jazz]] and [[doo-wop]] artists.<ref name="AMG"/> In 1955, the [[The El Dorados|El Dorados]] found national success with "At My Front Door", on which Bates played guitar, and which peaked at number one on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] [[record chart|chart]].<ref>{{cite book
Bates formed an [[musical ensemble|ensemble]] with [[Quinn Wilson]], and they played locally through most of the 1950s. Their few recordings were issued by [[United Records|United]], Boxer, Mad and Apex Records, under Bates's name. Most of his paid work came from regular performances in clubs and as a [[session musician]], notably as a [[rhythm guitarist]] with [[Jimmy Reed]] and [[Buddy Guy]].<ref name="AMG"/> He undertook other work with [[Larry Birdsong]] and Honey Brown. His versatility led to employment as part of the [[recording studio|studio]] band for [[Vee-Jay Records]], with [[Red Holloway]] and [[Vernel Fournier]], among others.<ref name="Hubcap"/> Most of the musicians there had earlier worked for [[Chance Records]], backing [[Jimmy Reed]] and the [[The Spaniels|Spaniels]]. Vee-Jay's financial strength helped them survive, and the studio band was expected to back diverse musicians on an ad hoc basis, including [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[blues]], [[jazz]] and [[doo-wop]] artists.<ref name="AMG"/> In 1955, [[The El Dorados]] found national success with "[[At My Front Door]]", on which Bates played guitar, and which peaked at number one on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] [[record chart|chart]].<ref>{{cite book
| first= Robert
| first= Robert
| last= Pruter
| last= Pruter
| year= 1996
| year= 1996
| title= Doo-Wop: The Chicago Scene
| title= Doo-Wop: The Chicago Scene
| edition= 1st
| edition=
| publisher= University of Illinois Press
| publisher= University of Illinois Press
| location= Champaign
| location= Champaign
Line 44: Line 43:
| year= 2001
| year= 2001
| title= Earl Hooker, Blues Master
| title= Earl Hooker, Blues Master
| edition= 1st
| edition=
| publisher= University Press of Mississippi
| publisher= University Press of Mississippi
| location= Jackson
| location= Jackson
| isbn= 1-57806-306-X
| isbn= 1-57806-306-X
| page= 108
| page= 108
| url=http://books.google.com/books?id=-G76U3ikkFAC&pg=PA108#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>
| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-G76U3ikkFAC&pg=PA108}}</ref>


In 1959, Bates played with Reed on his recording of "[[Baby What You Want Me to Do]]". In March 1960, he was part of the backing trio for [[John Lee Hooker]] on his [[album]] ''Travellin'''.<ref>{{cite book
In 1959, Bates played with Reed on his recording of "[[Baby What You Want Me to Do]]". In March 1960, he was part of the backing trio for [[John Lee Hooker]] on his [[album]] ''[[Travelin' (John Lee Hooker album)|Travelin']]''.<ref>{{cite book
| first= Ted
| first= Ted
| last= Gioia
| last= Gioia
| year= 2008
| year= 2008
| title= Delta Blues: The Life and Times of the Mississippi Masters Who Revolutionized American Music
| title= Delta Blues: The Life and Times of the Mississippi Masters Who Revolutionized American Music
| edition= 1st
| edition=
| publisher= W.W. Norton
| publisher= W. W. Norton
| location= New York
| location= New York
| isbn= 978-0-393-06258-8
| isbn= 978-0-393-06258-8
| page= [https://archive.org/details/deltablueslifeti0000gioi/page/257 257]
| page= 257
|url=https://archive.org/details/deltablueslifeti0000gioi| url-access= registration
|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=i0yjZiHcS6MC&pg=PA257#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref> In 1961, he performed on the album ''[[Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall]]'', and in the same year played on Reed's recording of "[[Big Boss Man (song)|Big Boss Man]]".
}}</ref> In 1961, he performed on Hooker's ''[[The Folk Lore of John Lee Hooker]]'' and with Jimmy Reed on the album ''[[Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall]]'' and played on Reed's recording of "[[Big Boss Man (song)|Big Boss Man]]".


Bates died of an [[arteriosclerosis]] in Chicago in April 2007, aged 87.<ref name="Dead"/>
Bates died of [[arteriosclerosis]] in Chicago in April 2007, aged 87.<ref name="Dead"/>

==Discography==
{{expand section|date=August 2019}}
'''With [[John Lee Hooker]]'''
*''[[Travelin' (John Lee Hooker album)|Travelin']]'' (Vee-Jay, 1960)
*''[[The Folk Lore of John Lee Hooker]]'' (Vee-Jay, 1961)
''''With [[Jimmy Reed]]'''
*''[[Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall]]'' (Vee-Jay, 1961)
*''[[Jimmy Reed Plays 12 String Guitar Blues]]'' (Vee-Jay, 1963)
*''[[The New Jimmy Reed Album]]'' (BluesWay, 1967)
*''[[Soulin']]'' (BluesWay, 1967)
*''[[Big Boss Man (Jimmy Reed album)|Big Boss Man]]'' (BluesWay, 1968)


==See also==
==See also==
Line 87: Line 99:
[[Category:American session musicians]]
[[Category:American session musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Alabama]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Illinois]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:United Records artists]]
[[Category:American military personnel of World War II]]

Revision as of 00:25, 14 August 2022

Lefty Bates
Birth nameWilliam H. Bates
Born(1920-03-09)March 9, 1920
Leighton, Alabama, United States
DiedApril 7, 2007(2007-04-07) (aged 87)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
GenresChicago blues[1]
OccupationGuitarist
InstrumentGuitar
Years activeMid 1930s – early 1980s
LabelsRCA, Vee-Jay, various

Lefty Bates (March 9, 1920 – April 7, 2007)[2] was an American Chicago blues guitarist. He led the Lefty Bates Combo and worked with the El Dorados, the Flamingos, Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Etta James, the Aristo-Kats, the Hi-De-Ho Boys, the Moroccos, and the Impressions.[2] A regular on the Chicago blues scene, his major work was as a session musician on numerous recordings in the 1950s and 1960s.[1]

Bates was married to the locally well-known club dancer Mary Cole Bates, who died in 2001.[3]

Biography

He was born William H. Bates in Leighton, Alabama. He acquired his nickname from his left-handed guitar playing.[2] He was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and attended Vashon High School, where was a founder of the Hi-De-Ho Boys.[4] In 1936, they relocated to Chicago, recorded for Decca Records and played in clubs. After serving in the military in World War II, Bates joined the Aristo-Kats, who recorded for RCA Victor.[1]

Bates formed an ensemble with Quinn Wilson, and they played locally through most of the 1950s. Their few recordings were issued by United, Boxer, Mad and Apex Records, under Bates's name. Most of his paid work came from regular performances in clubs and as a session musician, notably as a rhythm guitarist with Jimmy Reed and Buddy Guy.[1] He undertook other work with Larry Birdsong and Honey Brown. His versatility led to employment as part of the studio band for Vee-Jay Records, with Red Holloway and Vernel Fournier, among others.[4] Most of the musicians there had earlier worked for Chance Records, backing Jimmy Reed and the Spaniels. Vee-Jay's financial strength helped them survive, and the studio band was expected to back diverse musicians on an ad hoc basis, including R&B, blues, jazz and doo-wop artists.[1] In 1955, The El Dorados found national success with "At My Front Door", on which Bates played guitar, and which peaked at number one on the Billboard R&B chart.[5][6]

From 1955, Bates worked in a similar manner with another Chicago-based record label, Club 51,[4] where he had the luxury of leading the Lefty Bates Orchestra. At Club 51 he backed the Five Buddies and Sunnyland Slim.[1] In 1957, Bates and Earl Hooker backed the singer Arbee Stidham on his recording of "Look Me Straight in the Eye".[7]

In 1959, Bates played with Reed on his recording of "Baby What You Want Me to Do". In March 1960, he was part of the backing trio for John Lee Hooker on his album Travelin'.[8] In 1961, he performed on Hooker's The Folk Lore of John Lee Hooker and with Jimmy Reed on the album Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall and played on Reed's recording of "Big Boss Man".

Bates died of arteriosclerosis in Chicago in April 2007, aged 87.[2]

Discography

With John Lee Hooker

'With Jimmy Reed

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Chadbourne, Eugene. "Lefty Bates: Biography". Allmusic.com. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d Doc Rock (2007). "The Dead Rock Stars Club: 2007, January to June". TheDeadRockStarsClub.com. Accessed October 13, 2011.
  3. ^ Jensen, Trevor (April 19, 2007). "William H. 'Lefty' Bates: 1920–2007". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
  4. ^ a b c Pruter, Robert; Campbell, Robert L. "The Club 51 Label". Hubcap.clemson.edu. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  5. ^ Pruter, Robert (1996). Doo-Wop: The Chicago Scene. Champaign: University of Illinois Press. p. 113. ISBN 0-252-02208-4.
  6. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1996). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–1995. Record Research. p. 133.
  7. ^ Danchin, Sebastian (2001). Earl Hooker, Blues Master. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. p. 108. ISBN 1-57806-306-X.
  8. ^ Gioia, Ted (2008). Delta Blues: The Life and Times of the Mississippi Masters Who Revolutionized American Music. New York: W. W. Norton. p. 257. ISBN 978-0-393-06258-8.
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