Andrew Tibbs
Encyclopedia
Andrew Tibbs was an American
electric
and urban blues singer and songwriter
. He is best known for his controversial 1947 recording, "Bilbo Is Dead", a song relating to the demise of Theodore G. Bilbo
.
, United States
. As a boy he sang in Baptist choirs in Chicago
, directed by Mahalia Jackson
and Dinah Washington
. He was influenced by Ivory Joe Hunter
and Arnold "Gatemouth" Moore
.
From 1947 to 1949, Tibbs originally recorded
for Aristocrat Records
. His debut single
was "Bilbo Is Dead" b/w "Union Man Blues", recorded whilst Tibbs was eighteen years old. The tracks were both co-written by Tibbs and Tom Archia
, and caused controversy. The A-side
criticized Theodore Bilbo's policies, whilst the B-side
caused displeasure from the Chicago based teamster
trade union
s. Six further singles were released by Aristocrat. Following its eventual acquisition by Leonard
and Phil Chess, the newly formed Chess
label
signed Tibbs in 1950, but he released only one record, "You Can't Win", before being dismissed.
Tibbs recorded the "Rock Savoy Rock" single for Peacock Records
in 1951, followed by some unissued sessions for Savoy
. With his brother, Kenneth, Tibbs recorded one session for Atco
in 1956, which featured King Curtis
. His final recordings in 1962 for M-Pac Records included his last single release, "Stone Hearted Woman".
He worked for West Electric thereafter, but made sporadic live appearances in Chicago clubs
.
Tibbs died in Chicago in May 1991, aged 62.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
electric
Electric blues
Electric blues is a type of blues music distinguished by the amplification of the guitar, bass guitar, drums, and often the harmonica. Pioneered in the 1930s, it emerged as a genre in Chicago in the 1940s. It was taken up in many areas of America leading to the development of regional subgenres...
and urban blues singer and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. He is best known for his controversial 1947 recording, "Bilbo Is Dead", a song relating to the demise of Theodore G. Bilbo
Theodore G. Bilbo
Theodore Gilmore Bilbo was an American politician. Bilbo, a Democrat, twice served as governor of Mississippi and later was elected a U.S. Senator . A master of filibuster and scathing rhetoric, a rough-and-tumble fighter in debate, he made his name a synonym for white supremacy...
.
Biography
Tibbs was born Melvin Andrew Grayson, in Columbus, OhioColumbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As a boy he sang in Baptist choirs in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, directed by Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson – January 27, 1972) was an African-American gospel singer. Possessing a powerful contralto voice, she was referred to as "The Queen of Gospel"...
and Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington, born Ruth Lee Jones , was an American blues, R&B and jazz singer. She has been cited as "the most popular black female recording artist of the '50s", and called "The Queen of the Blues"...
. He was influenced by Ivory Joe Hunter
Ivory Joe Hunter
Ivory Joe Hunter was an American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, and pianist. After a series of hits on the US R&B chart starting in the mid 1940s, he became more widely known for his hit recording, "Since I Met You Baby" . He was billed as The Baron of the Boogie, and also known as The...
and Arnold "Gatemouth" Moore
Arnold Moore
Arnold "Gatemouth" Moore was an American blues and gospel singer, songwriter and pastor. A graduate of Booker T...
.
From 1947 to 1949, Tibbs originally recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
for Aristocrat Records
Aristocrat Records
Aristocrat Records, sometimes referred to The Aristocrat of Records, was founded in April 1947 by Charles and Evelyn Aron, together with their partners Fred and Mildred Brount and Art Spiegel. By September Leonard Chess had invested in the young record company. Over time, Leonard bought the others...
. His debut single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
was "Bilbo Is Dead" b/w "Union Man Blues", recorded whilst Tibbs was eighteen years old. The tracks were both co-written by Tibbs and Tom Archia
Tom Archia
Ernest Alvin Archia, Jr. , was a jazz tenor saxophonist. He took "Texas Tom" as his marquee name.Archia was born, in Groveton, Texas...
, and caused controversy. The A-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
criticized Theodore Bilbo's policies, whilst the B-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
caused displeasure from the Chicago based teamster
Teamster
A teamster, in modern American English, is a truck driver. The trade union named after them is the International Brotherhood of Teamsters , one of the largest unions in the United States....
trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s. Six further singles were released by Aristocrat. Following its eventual acquisition by Leonard
Leonard Chess
Leonard Chess was a record company executive and the founder of Chess Records. He was influential in the development of electric blues.- Early life :...
and Phil Chess, the newly formed Chess
Chess Records
Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It specialized in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases....
label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
signed Tibbs in 1950, but he released only one record, "You Can't Win", before being dismissed.
Tibbs recorded the "Rock Savoy Rock" single for Peacock Records
Peacock Records
Peacock Records was a record label started in 1949 by Don D. Robey in Houston, Texas."Hound Dog" by Big Mama Thornton was a bit hit for Peacock in 1953. Other significant rhythm & blues artists on Peacock were Marie Adams, James Booker, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Little Richard, Memphis Slim, and...
in 1951, followed by some unissued sessions for Savoy
Savoy Records
Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part in popularizing bebop.Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part...
. With his brother, Kenneth, Tibbs recorded one session for Atco
Atco Records
ATCO Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded in 1955 as a division of Atlantic Records. It was devised as an outlet for productions by one of Atlantic's founders, Herb Abramson, who...
in 1956, which featured King Curtis
King Curtis
Curtis Ousley , who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophone virtuoso known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, funk and soul jazz. Variously a bandleader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer...
. His final recordings in 1962 for M-Pac Records included his last single release, "Stone Hearted Woman".
He worked for West Electric thereafter, but made sporadic live appearances in Chicago clubs
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
.
Tibbs died in Chicago in May 1991, aged 62.