Lafayette Leake
Lafayette Leake (June 1, 1919 - August 14, 1990) was a blues and jazz piani… Read Full Bio ↴Lafayette Leake (June 1, 1919 - August 14, 1990) was a blues and jazz pianist, organist, vocalist and composer who played for Chess Records as a session musician, and as a member of the Big Three Trio, during the formative years of Chicago blues. He played piano on many of Chuck Berry's recordings.
Leake was born in Winona, Missouri in 1920. Information about his early years is sparse, but in the early 1950s he joined the Big Three Trio replacing Leonard "Baby Doo" Caston and began his association with Chess Records, where he worked closely with bassist, producer and songwriter Willie Dixon.
Leake played piano on One Dozen Berrys, Chuck Berry's second album, released in 1958 under Chess Records, as well as playing on Berry's Chuck Berry Is on Top, on which he performed in the classic rendition of "Johnny B. Goode". Leake also played on numerous other Chess sessions, from the '50's through the '70's backing many of the Chess greats, including many classic Sonny Boy Williamson recordings. He was the also the piano man of countless sessions with Otis Rush, Junior Wells, Little Walter, and many others.
During the 1960s Willie Dixon formed the Chicago Blues All-Stars. Leake was their resident pianist, and toured and recorded with them until the mid-1970s. After that he did little recording or touring, although he appeared with Chuck Berry at the Chicago Blues Festival in 1986, and recorded "Hidden Charms" with Willie Dixon in 1988.
As well as a respected performer, Leake was also a composer. He recorded a number of his own songs as a member of various ensembles, and others have been covered by notable musicians. Fleetwood Mac recorded his song Love That Woman on their album The Original Fleetwood Mac. His song Wrinkles, performed by the Big Three Trio, featured on the soundtrack of David Lynch's 1990 film Wild at Heart. Blues band Slo Leak were named after one of Leake's instrumental pieces.
Lafayette Leake fell into a diabetic coma in his home in Chicago, where he remained undiscovered for several days, dying in hospital on August 14, 1990
Leake was born in Winona, Missouri in 1920. Information about his early years is sparse, but in the early 1950s he joined the Big Three Trio replacing Leonard "Baby Doo" Caston and began his association with Chess Records, where he worked closely with bassist, producer and songwriter Willie Dixon.
Leake played piano on One Dozen Berrys, Chuck Berry's second album, released in 1958 under Chess Records, as well as playing on Berry's Chuck Berry Is on Top, on which he performed in the classic rendition of "Johnny B. Goode". Leake also played on numerous other Chess sessions, from the '50's through the '70's backing many of the Chess greats, including many classic Sonny Boy Williamson recordings. He was the also the piano man of countless sessions with Otis Rush, Junior Wells, Little Walter, and many others.
During the 1960s Willie Dixon formed the Chicago Blues All-Stars. Leake was their resident pianist, and toured and recorded with them until the mid-1970s. After that he did little recording or touring, although he appeared with Chuck Berry at the Chicago Blues Festival in 1986, and recorded "Hidden Charms" with Willie Dixon in 1988.
As well as a respected performer, Leake was also a composer. He recorded a number of his own songs as a member of various ensembles, and others have been covered by notable musicians. Fleetwood Mac recorded his song Love That Woman on their album The Original Fleetwood Mac. His song Wrinkles, performed by the Big Three Trio, featured on the soundtrack of David Lynch's 1990 film Wild at Heart. Blues band Slo Leak were named after one of Leake's instrumental pieces.
Lafayette Leake fell into a diabetic coma in his home in Chicago, where he remained undiscovered for several days, dying in hospital on August 14, 1990
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Lafayette Leake Lyrics
Midnight Special One day, one day, Sir I was walking along I heard that…
Short Dressed Woman Short dressed woman You are my heart's desire Every time you…
Trouble In Mind Trouble in mind, I am blue But I won′t be blue…