Larry Lee
Encyclopedia
Lawrence H. "Larry" Lee, Jr. (March 7, 1943 – October 30, 2007) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist from Memphis, Tennessee
, best known for his work with Al Green
and Jimi Hendrix
.
and Billy Cox
, they had all played together in various R&B acts, and in 1969 he joined Hendrix's new band Gypsy Sun and Rainbows as rhythm guitar
ist, occasionally playing alternating lead. The newly formed band was hired to play the Woodstock Music Festival for which Hendrix had been previously booked to play as the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Lee had only been back from the Vietnam war
for two weeks, was unemployed when Hendrix called him and had only joined Gypsy Sun and Rainbows a week before the Woodstock concert.
At the concert Hendrix and Lee both wore white outfits and exotic headgear
was much in evidence, Lee wore a distinctive green bandana
that had long tassles hanging over his eyes, which at the time he thought was a statement of originality as he explains in the Woodstock DVD, whereas Billy Cox wore a multi coloured turban
and Hendrix a bright pink bandana
and large shining ear studs. Lee played a Gibson Les Paul
guitar and sang his own composition 'Master Mind' as well as two Impressions numbers sung as a medley - 'Gypsy Woman' and 'Aware of Love', with Hendrix playing Curtis Mayfield style back up, he also took several solos and played some alternating lead ("weaving") with Hendrix.
After Woodstock these "hired guns" briefly continued to help Hendrix develop his new style, which included the first of his classic, new "message" songs, in which Hendrix attempted to communicate his complex philosophy towards the current Vietnam war and human relationships in general: Machine Gun
, Message to Love
and Izabella. This group then played at the Harlem
, 'United Block' benefit and later performed at the small 'Salvation' club in Greenwich Village
to a mixed reception. Lee, Velez and Sultan then went off to pursue their briefly interrupted careers, Sultan later played occasional sessions for Hendrix.
and television specials around the world with Green. Lee also was a songwriter and wrote for Stax Records
early recording artists, the Astors. "Judy", a song he wrote during his days playing with Hendrix in Nashville was covered by Al Green and the Spidells. Lee briefly traveled with blues great Albert King
. He said King fired him because his playing overshadowed King's.
In the eighties through the nineties, he teamed with his friend, Timothy Lee Matthews, and they collaborated on Matthews' CD Songs for the Greats. Matthews, co-writer of the classic blues song, "Breaking Up Somebody's Home," called Lee the consummate "sideman", Lee's distinctive complementary rhythm and lead style can be heard on nine of the eleven songs on Matthews' CD.
Larry lived in Memphis, TN and played in the regional rock/blues/R&B outfit "Elmo & the Shades".Larry was a member of Elmo and the Shades for eight years and was an integral part of their success during this period.The band enjoyed much popularity during this time playing nightclubs,casinos,parties,and occasional blues festivals throughout Memphis and the Mid-South.Larry Lee is featured on three cuts on the new CD(2009) by Elmo and The Shades ,"Blue Memphis".They are "Same Old Dog","I Get the Blues for Free", and the title cut "Blue Memphis". Larry took his leave from the group as his battle with cancer left him too weak to perform in August 2006. Larry was as soulful a blues singer and incredibly moving blues guitarist as Memphis, Beale St. and the world has ever seen.
He also joined in with Mike Strickland and the Usual Unusual Clowns at random intervals.
Larry Lee died in Memphis, Tennessee on October 29, 2007 after a year battling stomach cancer, and was buried at 11 a.m. on November 6 in West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. He left wife Carrie Lee, daughter April D. Lee and three sons - Lawrence H. Lee III, Robert A. Lee, and Thomas Lee. He was also survived by his mother, Lula Lee, and five grandchildren.
with Al Green
with Elmo and the Shades
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, best known for his work with Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
and Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
.
Gypsy Sun and Rainbows
Lee was an old friend of Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
and Billy Cox
Billy Cox
William "Billy" Cox is an American bassist, best known for performing with Jimi Hendrix.-Early years:Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, Cox was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attended Schenley High School. He first met Jimi Hendrix in the early 1960s, when they were both in the United States...
, they had all played together in various R&B acts, and in 1969 he joined Hendrix's new band Gypsy Sun and Rainbows as rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
ist, occasionally playing alternating lead. The newly formed band was hired to play the Woodstock Music Festival for which Hendrix had been previously booked to play as the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Lee had only been back from the Vietnam war
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
for two weeks, was unemployed when Hendrix called him and had only joined Gypsy Sun and Rainbows a week before the Woodstock concert.
At the concert Hendrix and Lee both wore white outfits and exotic headgear
Headgear
Headgear, headwear or headdress is the name given to any element of clothing which is worn on one's head.Headgear serve a variety of purposes:...
was much in evidence, Lee wore a distinctive green bandana
Bandana
Bandana can refer to:*Another name for a kerchief*Bandana *Bandana *Bandana, Kentucky, a small town in the United States*Y Bandana, a Welsh alternative rock band.**Y Bandana , their self-titled debut album....
that had long tassles hanging over his eyes, which at the time he thought was a statement of originality as he explains in the Woodstock DVD, whereas Billy Cox wore a multi coloured turban
Turban
In English, Turban refers to several types of headwear popularly worn in the Middle East, North Africa, Punjab, Jamaica and Southwest Asia. A commonly used synonym is Pagri, the Indian word for turban.-Styles:...
and Hendrix a bright pink bandana
Bandana
Bandana can refer to:*Another name for a kerchief*Bandana *Bandana *Bandana, Kentucky, a small town in the United States*Y Bandana, a Welsh alternative rock band.**Y Bandana , their self-titled debut album....
and large shining ear studs. Lee played a Gibson Les Paul
Gibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
guitar and sang his own composition 'Master Mind' as well as two Impressions numbers sung as a medley - 'Gypsy Woman' and 'Aware of Love', with Hendrix playing Curtis Mayfield style back up, he also took several solos and played some alternating lead ("weaving") with Hendrix.
After Woodstock these "hired guns" briefly continued to help Hendrix develop his new style, which included the first of his classic, new "message" songs, in which Hendrix attempted to communicate his complex philosophy towards the current Vietnam war and human relationships in general: Machine Gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
, Message to Love
Message to Love
Message to Love is a feature documentary film of the Isle of Wight Festival 1970. The film unsparingly, often comically depicts the myriad problems associated with the famously chaotic festival—the main program of which was held on August 26–30, 1970—including gate-crashing, numerous crowd...
and Izabella. This group then played at the Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
, 'United Block' benefit and later performed at the small 'Salvation' club in Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
to a mixed reception. Lee, Velez and Sultan then went off to pursue their briefly interrupted careers, Sultan later played occasional sessions for Hendrix.
Al Green years
During the seventies, Lee acted as the band director and lead guitarist for Al Green's touring band. He appeared on the Johnny Carson ShowThe Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
and television specials around the world with Green. Lee also was a songwriter and wrote for Stax Records
Stax Records
Stax Records is an American record label, originally based in Memphis, Tennessee.Founded in 1957 as Satellite Records, the name Stax Records was adopted in 1961. The label was a major factor in the creation of the Southern soul and Memphis soul music styles, also releasing gospel, funk, jazz, and...
early recording artists, the Astors. "Judy", a song he wrote during his days playing with Hendrix in Nashville was covered by Al Green and the Spidells. Lee briefly traveled with blues great Albert King
Albert King
Albert King was an American blues guitarist and singer, and a major influence in the world of blues guitar playing.-Career:...
. He said King fired him because his playing overshadowed King's.
In the eighties through the nineties, he teamed with his friend, Timothy Lee Matthews, and they collaborated on Matthews' CD Songs for the Greats. Matthews, co-writer of the classic blues song, "Breaking Up Somebody's Home," called Lee the consummate "sideman", Lee's distinctive complementary rhythm and lead style can be heard on nine of the eleven songs on Matthews' CD.
Larry lived in Memphis, TN and played in the regional rock/blues/R&B outfit "Elmo & the Shades".Larry was a member of Elmo and the Shades for eight years and was an integral part of their success during this period.The band enjoyed much popularity during this time playing nightclubs,casinos,parties,and occasional blues festivals throughout Memphis and the Mid-South.Larry Lee is featured on three cuts on the new CD(2009) by Elmo and The Shades ,"Blue Memphis".They are "Same Old Dog","I Get the Blues for Free", and the title cut "Blue Memphis". Larry took his leave from the group as his battle with cancer left him too weak to perform in August 2006. Larry was as soulful a blues singer and incredibly moving blues guitarist as Memphis, Beale St. and the world has ever seen.
He also joined in with Mike Strickland and the Usual Unusual Clowns at random intervals.
Death
Larry Lee died in Memphis, Tennessee on October 29, 2007 after a year battling stomach cancer, and was buried at 11 a.m. on November 6 in West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. He left wife Carrie Lee, daughter April D. Lee and three sons - Lawrence H. Lee III, Robert A. Lee, and Thomas Lee. He was also survived by his mother, Lula Lee, and five grandchildren.
Selective discography
with Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
- WoodstockWoodstock (Jimi Hendrix album)-Personnel:*Jimi Hendrix – lead guitar, vocals*Mitch Mitchell – drums*Billy Cox – bass guitar*Larry Lee – rhythm guitar*Juma Sultan – percussion*Jerry Velez – percussion...
(1994) - Live at WoodstockLive at WoodstockThe remastered 2010 "Experience Hendrix" DVD includes the following on the second disc titled "A Second Look":"Road To Woodstock: Hendrix performance footage, interview with Woodstock promoter Michael Lang and Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, Larry Lee, Juma Sultan and others."Jimi Hendrix: Live At...
(1999)
with Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
- I'll Rise AgainI'll Rise Again-Track listing:#"It Don't Take Much" #"Jesus Is Coming " #"Leaning On The Everlasting Arms" #"I Close My Eyes And Smile" #"Ocean Blue "#"Look At The Things That God Made" #"I Just Can't Make It By Myself"...
(1983)
with Elmo and the Shades
- Blue Memphis (2009)