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{{Short description|American musician (1943–2007)}}
{{other people}}
{{refimprove|date=February 2009}} {{more citations needed|date=February 2009}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Musicians --> {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name = Larry Lee | name = Larry Lee
| image = Larry Lee.JPG
| caption = | caption =
| image_size = | image_size =
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| years_active = 1963–2007 | years_active = 1963–2007
| label = | label =
| associated_acts = ], ], ] | associated_acts = ], ], ], ]
| website = | website =
| notable_instruments =
}} }}
'''Lawrence H. "Larry" Lee, Jr.''' (March 7, 1943&nbsp;– October 30, 2007) was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter from ], best known for his work with ] and ]. '''Lawrence H. "Larry" Lee, Jr.''' (March 7, 1943&nbsp;– October 30, 2007) was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter from ], best known for his work with ] and ].


==Gypsy Sun and Rainbows== ==Gypsy Sun and Rainbows==
Lee was an old friend of ] and ], they had all played together in various R&B acts, and in 1969 he joined Hendrix's new band ] as ]ist, occasionally playing alternating lead. The newly formed band was hired to play the ] for which Hendrix had been previously booked to play as the ]. Lee had only been back from the ] for two weeks, was unemployed when Hendrix called him and had only joined Gypsy Sun and Rainbows a week before the Woodstock concert. Lee was an old friend of ] and ]. They had all played together in various R&B acts, and in 1969 Lee joined Hendrix's band ] as ]ist, occasionally playing alternating lead. The newly formed band was hired to play the ] for which Hendrix had been previously booked to play with the ]. Lee had been back from the ] for only two weeks, was unemployed when Hendrix called him, and joined Gypsy Sun and Rainbows only a week before the Woodstock concert.<ref name=WoodstDVD>{{cite AV media |people=Hendrix, Janie; McDermott, John |date=2005 |title=Jimi Hendrix Live at Woodstock |type=DVD |language= |time= |location= |chapter=The Road to Woodstock |publisher=Experience Hendrix}}</ref>


At the concert Hendrix and Lee both wore white outfits and exotic ] was much in evidence, Lee wore a distinctive green ] 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 ] and Hendrix a bright pink ] and large shining ear studs. Lee played a 1955 ] 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. At the concert Hendrix and Lee both wore white outfits, and Lee wore a distinctive green ] that had long tassels hanging over his eyes, which at the time he thought was a statement of originality.<ref name=WoodstDVD/> Lee played a 1955 ] 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. Lee also took several solos and played some alternating lead ("weaving") with Hendrix. Although all the songs he sang lead on at Woodstock were recorded, the Hendrix estate owns the rights to them and has thus far prohibited their release.


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: ], ] and ]. This group then played at the ], "United Block" benefit and later performed at the small "Salvation" club in ] to a mixed reception. Lee, Velez and Sultan then went off to pursue their briefly interrupted careers, Sultan later played occasional sessions for Hendrix. After Woodstock, Gypsy Sun and Rainbows then played at the ] "United Block" benefit and at the small "Salvation" club in ] to a mixed reception.{{cn|date=September 2023}} Lee then left the band and returned to his hometown Memphis, later stating that Hendrix was under heavy pressure from his management to return to the three-piece format of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and he felt his departure would take some of the heat off Hendrix.<ref name=WoodstDVD/>


==Al Green years== ==Al Green years==
During the seventies, Lee acted as the band director and lead guitarist for Al Green's touring band. He appeared on ] and television specials around the world with Green. Lee also was a songwriter and wrote for ] 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 ]. He said King fired him because his playing overshadowed King's. During the 1970s, Lee acted as the band director and lead guitarist for Al Green's touring band. He appeared on ] and television specials around the world with Green. Lee also was a songwriter and wrote for ] 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 ]. He said King fired him because his playing overshadowed King's.


In the eighties through the nineties, he teamed with his friend, El Espada, ], 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. In the 1980s and 90s, Lee teamed with his friend, El Espada, ], and they collaborated on Matthews' CD ''Songs for the Greats''. Matthews, co-writer of the classic blues song "]", 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 ] 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. Larry Lee lived in Memphis, Tennessee and played in the regional rock/blues/R&B outfit ]. Lee was a member of Elmo and the Shades for eight years. The band enjoyed much popularity during this time playing nightclubs, casinos, parties, and occasional blues festivals throughout Memphis and the Mid-South. Lee is featured on three cuts on the 2009 CD by Elmo and The Shades, ''Blue Memphis''. They are "Same Old Dog", "I Get the Blues for Free", and the title cut "Blue Memphis". Lee took his leave from the group in August 2006 as his battle with cancer left him too weak to perform.


He also joined in with Mike Strickland and the Usual Unusual Clowns at random intervals. Lee also joined in with Mike Strickland and the Usual Unusual Clowns at random intervals.


==Death== ==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. 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== ==Selective discography==
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*'']'' (1980) *'']'' (1980)
*'']'' (1994) *'']'' (1994)
*'']'' (1999) *'']'' (1999)


;with ] ;with ]
*'']'' (1983) *'']'' (1983)


with '''(Timothy Lee Matthews)''' with ]
(Songs For The Greats) {1998} *'']'' (1998) ft. on track 4 "What Did She Say"
ft. on track 4 "What Did She Say"


with ] with ]
*'' ]'' (2009) *'']'' (2009)


==References== ==References==
{{refbegin}} {{refbegin}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.jimi-hendrix.com/news/news,larrylee.html |title=Lawrence (Larry) H. Lee Jr.: March 7, 1943 - October 30, 2007 |date=2007-10-31 |publisher=Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. |accessdate=2009-02-07 }} *{{cite news |url=http://www.jimi-hendrix.com/news/news,larrylee.html |title=Lawrence (Larry) H. Lee Jr.: March 7, 1943 - October 30, 2007 |date=2007-10-31 |publisher=Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. |accessdate=2009-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208231540/http://jimi-hendrix.com/news/news,larrylee.html |archive-date=February 8, 2009 |url-status=dead }}
{{refend}} {{refend}}
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}
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{{Jimi Hendrix}} {{Jimi Hendrix}}


{{Authority control|VIAF=230753269}} {{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->
| NAME =Lee, Larry
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American musician
| DATE OF BIRTH =March 7, 1943
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =October 30, 2007
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Larry}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Larry}}
] ]
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] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
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]

Latest revision as of 04:46, 31 July 2024

American musician (1943–2007)
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Larry Lee
Birth nameLawrence H. Lee, Jr.
Born(1943-03-07)March 7, 1943
OriginMemphis, Tennessee, USA
DiedOctober 30, 2007(2007-10-30) (aged 64)
GenresHard rock, psychedelic rock, blues-rock, rhythm and blues, soul
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1963–2007
Musical artist

Lawrence H. "Larry" Lee, Jr. (March 7, 1943 – October 30, 2007) was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter from Memphis, Tennessee, best known for his work with Al Green and Jimi Hendrix.

Gypsy Sun and Rainbows

Lee was an old friend of Jimi Hendrix and Billy Cox. They had all played together in various R&B acts, and in 1969 Lee joined Hendrix's band Gypsy Sun and Rainbows as rhythm guitarist, 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 with the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Lee had been back from the Vietnam War for only two weeks, was unemployed when Hendrix called him, and joined Gypsy Sun and Rainbows only a week before the Woodstock concert.

At the concert Hendrix and Lee both wore white outfits, and Lee wore a distinctive green bandana that had long tassels hanging over his eyes, which at the time he thought was a statement of originality. Lee played a 1955 Gibson Les Paul Custom 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. Lee also took several solos and played some alternating lead ("weaving") with Hendrix. Although all the songs he sang lead on at Woodstock were recorded, the Hendrix estate owns the rights to them and has thus far prohibited their release.

After Woodstock, Gypsy Sun and Rainbows then played at the Harlem "United Block" benefit and at the small "Salvation" club in Greenwich Village to a mixed reception. Lee then left the band and returned to his hometown Memphis, later stating that Hendrix was under heavy pressure from his management to return to the three-piece format of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and he felt his departure would take some of the heat off Hendrix.

Al Green years

During the 1970s, Lee acted as the band director and lead guitarist for Al Green's touring band. He appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 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 1980s and 90s, Lee teamed with his friend, El Espada, 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 Lee lived in Memphis, Tennessee and played in the regional rock/blues/R&B outfit Elmo and the Shades. Lee was a member of Elmo and the Shades for eight years. The band enjoyed much popularity during this time playing nightclubs, casinos, parties, and occasional blues festivals throughout Memphis and the Mid-South. Lee is featured on three cuts on the 2009 CD by Elmo and The Shades, Blue Memphis. They are "Same Old Dog", "I Get the Blues for Free", and the title cut "Blue Memphis". Lee took his leave from the group in August 2006 as his battle with cancer left him too weak to perform.

Lee 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 Hendrix
with Al Green

with Timothy Lee Matthews

with Elmo and the Shades

References

  1. ^ Hendrix, Janie; McDermott, John (2005). "The Road to Woodstock". Jimi Hendrix Live at Woodstock (DVD). Experience Hendrix.
Jimi Hendrix
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