Andrew Tibbs | |
---|---|
Birth name | Melvin Andrew Grayson |
Born | Columbus, Ohio, United States | February 2, 1929
Died | May 5, 1991 62) Chicago, Illinois, United States | (aged
Genres | Electric blues, urban blues [1] |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | Late 1940s – 1991 |
Labels | Various |
Andrew Tibbs (February 2, 1929 – May 5, 1991) [1] 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. [2]
Tibbs was born Melvin Andrew Grayson, [3] in Columbus, Ohio. [1] 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. [4]
From 1947 to 1949, Tibbs recorded for Aristocrat Records. [5] His debut single was "Bilbo Is Dead" backed with "Union Man Blues", recorded when he was eighteen years old. [4] The tracks were both co-written by Tibbs and Tom Archia, [2] and caused controversy. The A-side criticized Theodore Bilbo's policies, whilst the B-side caused displeasure from the Chicago-based teamster's union. Six further singles were released by Aristocrat. Following its eventual acquisition by Leonard and Phil Chess, the newly formed Chess Records signed a recording contract with Tibbs in 1950, but he released only one record, "You Can't Win", before being dismissed. [4] [5]
Tibbs recorded the single "Rock Savoy Rock" 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". [4]
He worked for West Electric thereafter [4] and gave sporadic live performances in Chicago clubs. [5]
Tibbs died in Chicago in May 1991, aged 62. [2]
McKinley Morganfield, known professionally as Muddy Waters, was an American blues singer and musician who was an important figure in the post-World War II blues scene, and is often cited as the "father of modern Chicago blues". His style of playing has been described as "raining down Delta beatitude".
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Chess Records was an American record company established in 1950 in Chicago, specializing in blues and rhythm and blues. It was the successor to Aristocrat Records, founded in 1947. It expanded into soul music, gospel music, early rock and roll, and jazz and comedy recordings, released on the Chess and its subsidiary labels Checker and Argo/Cadet. The Chess catalogue is owned by Universal Music Group and managed by Geffen Records and Universal Music Enterprises.
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Ernest Alvin Archia, Jr. known as Tom Archia, was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.
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