Grady Gaines(May 14, 1934 – January 29, 2021)[2]was an Americanelectric blues,Texas bluesandjazz bluestenor saxophonist,who performed and recorded withLittle Richardin the 1950s. He backed other musicians such asDee Clark,Little Willie John,Sam Cooke,James Brown,Jackie Wilson,andJoe Tex.He released three albums.[1]
Grady Gaines | |
|---|---|
 Gaines performing in 2014 | |
| Born | May 14, 1934 Waskom, Texas,U.S. |
| Died | January 29, 2021(aged 86) |
| Occupation | Saxophonist |
| Known for | The Upsetters,The Texas Upsetters |
| Spouse | Nell Gaines |
| Relatives | Roy Gaines(brother) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Texas blues,electric blues[1] |
| Instrument | Tenor saxophone |
| Years active | Early 1950s–2021 |
| Labels | Black Top |
| Website | Official website |
Early life
editGaines was born on May 14, 1934, inWaskom, Texas.Gaines's brother wasRoy.In 1943, Gaines family moved toHouston,Texas. Gaines grew up in the Fifth Ward, a racially segregated neighborhood ofHouston,Texas. Gaines attended E. L. Smith Junior High School.[1][3]
Career
editGaines was playing his saxophone at The Whispering Pines.[4]
Gaines worked as asession musicianforPeacock Records.[5]He played onBig Walter Price's "Pack Fair and Square" andClarence "Gatemouth" Brown's "Dirty Work at the Crossroads," before joining Little Richard's fledgling backing band,the Upsetters,as its leader in 1955.[1]Gaines recorded infrequently, but he played on Richard's "Keep a Knockin'" and "Ooh! My Soul."[1]
The Upsetters carried on after Richard "retired" in 1957. They toured with Dee Clark, Little Willie John, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and Joe Tex. The band recorded forVee-Jay Recordsin 1958 backing Clark.[1]Gaines also ledSam Cooke's backing band until Cooke's death.[5]Several recording sessions followed for Gaines and his band for various labels, including Vee-Jay,GeeandFire.[1]
Once the Upsetters disbanded, Grady toured withMillie JacksonandCurtis Mayfield.He stopped playing in 1980.[1]
In 1980, Gaines became a transportation manager for Holiday Inn and later Sheraton.[6]
In 1985, Gaines re-formed a band, The Texas Upsetters, and played concerts in Houston beforerecordingFull Gain(1988),Horn of Plenty(1992), andJump Start(2002).[1]
Gaines performed in 1989 and 1996 at theLong Beach Blues Festival.As of January 2013, he continued to perform with the Texas Upsetters for private parties and wedding receptions and for public events, such as the Big Easy Social & Pleasure Club in Houston'sRice Villageneighborhood.[citation needed]
Discography
edit- Full Gain(1988),Black Top Records
- Horn of Plenty(1992), Black Top
- Jump Start(2002), Gulf Coast Entertainment[7]
Awards
editPersonal life
editGaines' wife was Nell Gaines, they remained married until his death in 2021.[8]
Gaines' brotherRoywent on to play guitar onBobby Bland's 1955hit single"It's My Life Baby".[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcdefghijDahl, Bill."Grady Gaines".Allmusic.RetrievedApril 13,2020.
- ^Dansby, Andrew (January 29, 2021)."Houston blues and R&B great Grady Gaines dies".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedJanuary 29,2021.
- ^abc"Grady Gaines 1934–".encyclopedia.com.RetrievedApril 13,2020.
- ^Dansby, Andrew (January 29, 2021)."Houston blues and R&B great Grady Gaines dies".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedFebruary 2,2021.
- ^ab"Grady Gaines".Gradygaines.com.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
- ^James, Gary."Gary James' Interview With The Sax Player For Little Richard And Sam Cooke, Grady Gaines".classicbands.com.RetrievedApril 13,2020.
- ^"Grady Gaines: Discography".AllMusic.com.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
- ^"'I've Been There', Grady Gaines and Houston's Rock and Roll Roots ".texasobserver.org.May 18, 2015.RetrievedApril 13,2020.