Blues Singer, Musician. He moved to East Los Angeles with his grandmother at age 9 and on his uncle’s piano he learned to play by listening to recordings of Amos Milburn, Hadda Brooks and Nellie Lutcher. In 1949, he made a couple of recordings for the small Elko label and he hit his stride in the mid-1950s, recording for Larry Mead's Mambo and Vita labels. He recorded the successful singles "Wow Wow," "What a Shame," "Come On," "She's Gone Away, But" and "Wear Your Black Dress." His last solo single was "Rock and Roll Fever" in 1958. Later he teamed up for a few records with Marvin Phillips, who had a series of partners as "Johnny" under the Marvin & Johnny name. Eventually, he retired from making music in the 1960s to work as a hospital orderly. He enjoyed a comeback in the 1980s as European promoters rediscovered his mid-century rhythm and blues. Cause of death, cancer at age 70.
Blues Singer, Musician. He moved to East Los Angeles with his grandmother at age 9 and on his uncle’s piano he learned to play by listening to recordings of Amos Milburn, Hadda Brooks and Nellie Lutcher. In 1949, he made a couple of recordings for the small Elko label and he hit his stride in the mid-1950s, recording for Larry Mead's Mambo and Vita labels. He recorded the successful singles "Wow Wow," "What a Shame," "Come On," "She's Gone Away, But" and "Wear Your Black Dress." His last solo single was "Rock and Roll Fever" in 1958. Later he teamed up for a few records with Marvin Phillips, who had a series of partners as "Johnny" under the Marvin & Johnny name. Eventually, he retired from making music in the 1960s to work as a hospital orderly. He enjoyed a comeback in the 1980s as European promoters rediscovered his mid-century rhythm and blues. Cause of death, cancer at age 70.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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