J. B. Lenoir /ləˈnɔːr/ (Monticello, Mississippi, March 5, 1929 – Urbana, I… Read Full Bio ↴J. B. Lenoir /ləˈnɔːr/ (Monticello, Mississippi, March 5, 1929 – Urbana, Illinois, April 29, 1967) was an African American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter, active in the 1950s and 1960s Chicago blues scene.
Lenoir's guitar-playing father introduced him to the music of Blind Lemon Jefferson, whose music became a major influence. During the early 1940s, Lenoir worked with blues artists Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James in New Orleans. Lenoir would eventually find musical influence in Arthur Crudup and Lightnin' Hopkins.
In 1949, he moved to Chicago and Big Bill Broonzy helped introduce him to the local blues community. He began to perform at local nightclubs with musicians such as Memphis Minnie, Big Maceo Merriweather, and Muddy Waters, and became an important part of the city's blues scene. He began recording in 1951 the J.O.B. and Chess Records labels. His recording of "Korea Blues" was licensed to and released by Chess, as having been performed by 'J. B. and his Bayou Boys'. His band included pianist Sunnyland Slim, guitarist Leroy Foster, and drummer Alfred Wallace.
During the 1950s Lenoir recorded on various record labels in the Chicago area including J.O.B., Chess, Parrot, and Checker. His more successful songs included "Let's Roll", "The Mojo" featuring saxophonist J. T. Brown, and the controversial "Eisenhower Blues" which his record company, Parrot, forced him to re-record as "Tax Paying Blues."
Lenoir was known in the 1950s for his showmanship - in particular his zebra-patterned costumes - and his high-pitched vocals. He became an influential electric guitarist and songwriter, and his penchant for social commentary distinguished him from many other bluesmen of the time. His most commercially successful and enduring release was "Mamma Talk To Your Daughter", recorded for Parrot in 1954 which reached #11 on the Billboard R&B chart and was later recorded by many other blues and rock musicians. In the later 1950s (recording on the Checker label), he wrote several more blues standards including; "Don't Dog Your Woman", and "Don't Touch My Head!!!" (1956).
In 1963, Lenoir recorded for USA Records as 'J. B. Lenoir and his African Hunch Rhythm', developing an interest in African percussion. However, he struggled to work as a professional musician and for a time took menial jobs, including working in the kitchen at the University of Illinois in Champaign. Lenoir was rediscovered by Willie Dixon, who recorded him with drummer Fred Below on the albums Alabama Blues and Down In Mississippi (inspired by the Civil Rights and Free Speech movements). Lenoir toured Europe, and performed in 1965 with the American Folk Blues Festival in the United Kingdom.
Lenoir's work had direct political content relating to racism and the Vietnam War.
"Alabama Blues"
“I never will go back to Alabama, that is not the place for me,
I never will go back to Alabama, that is not the place for me,
You know they killed my sister and my brother,
And the whole world let them peoples go down there free.”
He died on April 29, 1967 in Urbana, Illinois, aged 38, from a heart attack related to injuries he suffered in a car accident three weeks earlier.
His death was lamented by John Mayall in the songs, "I'm Gonna Fight for You, J.B." and "Death of J. B. Lenoir".
The 2003 documentary film The Soul of a Man, directed by Wim Wenders as the second instalment of Martin Scorsese's series The Blues, explored Lenoir's career, together with those of Skip James and Blind Willie Johnson.
In 2011, Lenoir was inducted to the Blues Hall of Fame.
Although his name is sometimes mispronounced like the French "lan WAH", Lenoir himself pronounced his name a "la NOR". The initials "J.B." had no specific meaning; his given name was simply "J.B."
Lenoir's guitar-playing father introduced him to the music of Blind Lemon Jefferson, whose music became a major influence. During the early 1940s, Lenoir worked with blues artists Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James in New Orleans. Lenoir would eventually find musical influence in Arthur Crudup and Lightnin' Hopkins.
In 1949, he moved to Chicago and Big Bill Broonzy helped introduce him to the local blues community. He began to perform at local nightclubs with musicians such as Memphis Minnie, Big Maceo Merriweather, and Muddy Waters, and became an important part of the city's blues scene. He began recording in 1951 the J.O.B. and Chess Records labels. His recording of "Korea Blues" was licensed to and released by Chess, as having been performed by 'J. B. and his Bayou Boys'. His band included pianist Sunnyland Slim, guitarist Leroy Foster, and drummer Alfred Wallace.
During the 1950s Lenoir recorded on various record labels in the Chicago area including J.O.B., Chess, Parrot, and Checker. His more successful songs included "Let's Roll", "The Mojo" featuring saxophonist J. T. Brown, and the controversial "Eisenhower Blues" which his record company, Parrot, forced him to re-record as "Tax Paying Blues."
Lenoir was known in the 1950s for his showmanship - in particular his zebra-patterned costumes - and his high-pitched vocals. He became an influential electric guitarist and songwriter, and his penchant for social commentary distinguished him from many other bluesmen of the time. His most commercially successful and enduring release was "Mamma Talk To Your Daughter", recorded for Parrot in 1954 which reached #11 on the Billboard R&B chart and was later recorded by many other blues and rock musicians. In the later 1950s (recording on the Checker label), he wrote several more blues standards including; "Don't Dog Your Woman", and "Don't Touch My Head!!!" (1956).
In 1963, Lenoir recorded for USA Records as 'J. B. Lenoir and his African Hunch Rhythm', developing an interest in African percussion. However, he struggled to work as a professional musician and for a time took menial jobs, including working in the kitchen at the University of Illinois in Champaign. Lenoir was rediscovered by Willie Dixon, who recorded him with drummer Fred Below on the albums Alabama Blues and Down In Mississippi (inspired by the Civil Rights and Free Speech movements). Lenoir toured Europe, and performed in 1965 with the American Folk Blues Festival in the United Kingdom.
Lenoir's work had direct political content relating to racism and the Vietnam War.
"Alabama Blues"
“I never will go back to Alabama, that is not the place for me,
I never will go back to Alabama, that is not the place for me,
You know they killed my sister and my brother,
And the whole world let them peoples go down there free.”
He died on April 29, 1967 in Urbana, Illinois, aged 38, from a heart attack related to injuries he suffered in a car accident three weeks earlier.
His death was lamented by John Mayall in the songs, "I'm Gonna Fight for You, J.B." and "Death of J. B. Lenoir".
The 2003 documentary film The Soul of a Man, directed by Wim Wenders as the second instalment of Martin Scorsese's series The Blues, explored Lenoir's career, together with those of Skip James and Blind Willie Johnson.
In 2011, Lenoir was inducted to the Blues Hall of Fame.
Although his name is sometimes mispronounced like the French "lan WAH", Lenoir himself pronounced his name a "la NOR". The initials "J.B." had no specific meaning; his given name was simply "J.B."
Voodoo Boogie
J.B. Lenoir Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by J.B. Lenoir:
Ain't That Lovin' You Baby Know I love ya babe? Know I love ya babe? Know I…
Ain't Times Hard They say Influenced by crime, addicted to grindin' Where I …
Alabama I never will go back to Alabama, that is not…
Baby What's Wrong? I don’t like dancing in the dark I don’t like people…
Back Door They call me the Back Door Santa I make my runs…
Big Town Playboy I just came back from a lovely trip along the…
Born Dead Lord why was I born in Mississippi, When it's so hard…
Bright Lights Big City Yeah, turn it up in your head phones Ya know like…
Carrie Lee Carrie Lee, Cerrie Lee I wonder where in the world can…
Don't Touch My Head Hello hello hello sir Don't touch my wife Please sir Holla …
Down in Mississippi Far back's I can remember Either had to plow or hoe One…
Eisenhower Blues Hey everybody, I was talkin' to you I ain't tellin' you…
Everybody Wants to Know Welcome to your life Theres no turning back Even while we sl…
Feelin You come home late from work, baby You wonder why it…
Feelin' Good Bird flyin' high You know how I feel Sun in the sky You…
Fine Girls He said girl you so fine you occupy my mind I…
Five Years If you ever been mistreated Then you know just what I'm…
God Doctor God, Doctor God Won't you give me an appointment Be…
God's Word Oruko mi ni Iyiola Bolarinwa Omo oba nimi Ase oba nbe Lara m…
Good Advice Grandma told me was good advice What Grandma told me was…
Good Looking Woman Got a fine lookin' woman, lives way across the town Yes,…
Here I Stand Your voice falling from heaven I hear you The angels…
How Can I Leave The truth was all around me But I closed my eyes…
How Much More There ain't no road too rough to walk There ain't no…
I Don't Know I don't know how to love him. What to do, how…
I Feel So Good Well I feel so good I don't know what to…
I Got Rhythm I got 2 I got two, I got you, You and…
I Have Married I keep counting in my head There is no time to…
I Lost My Baby I lost my mind Sunday morning by 2: 30-3oclock Remember the …
I Want My Baby Unh There are certain parts of life That you wish you could…
I Want My Baby-1 What's happenin main? This B Gizzle Your number one original…
I Want The World To Know I wanna dance with you But I don't know how to…
I Want to Go My name is JB Lenoir And this the way my song…
I'll Die Tryin' Get rich or die tryin I'm feelin like 50 I'm chasin…
I'm In Korea Ever since the world begin Man have received the right…
I've Been Down for So Long I′ve been down so long Being down do not worry me…
If I Give My Love to You (him) Today I passed you on the street And my heart…
If You Love Me I think I want her I think I want her But I've…
Korea Blues Lord I got my questionnaire, Uncle Sam's gonna send me…
Let It Be Me God bless the day I found you I want to stay…
Let It Roll ありのままの 姿見せるのよ ありのままの 自分になるの 降り始めた雪は 足跡消して 真っ白な世界に ひとりのわたし 風…
Let Me Die With the One I Love I need to be still and let God love me I…
Let's Roll Hey, everybody, let's have some fun You only live but once A…
Let's Roll-1 I need to be still and let God love me I…
Let's Roll-2 Hey, everybody, let's have some fun You only live but once …
Livin' in the White House I'm living in the White House Just trying to help old…
Lou Ella I watched the sun rise in the morning Until it fade…
Louise She said We need a reset Talking at me like I got…
Low Down Dirty Shame Lord, it's a low down dirty baby Low down shame the…
Mama Talk To Your Daughter Mamma mamma please talk to your daughter for me Mamma mamma…
Mama What About Your Daughter What about your daughter, mama? She sure looks good to me Wh…
Mamma Talk To Your Daughter Mamma mamma please talk to your daughter for me Mamma mamma…
Mississippi Road My moth'-an' daddy live on a high hill way on…
Move This Rope I think I'm gonna have to move, people I gotta move…
Move To Kansas City Goin' to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come Goin' to…
Mr. Big Wheel Big Wheel When i talk when i walk i got a…
Mustang Nun m n fott e lat sto ca (Mo stong…
My Baby Told Me My granny use to pray That the Lord a up and…
My Mama Told Me Mama told me never give up on My dreams They all…
Natural Man Everybody wanna know what in the world am I Everybody wanna…
No More Doggin' この曲は 踊れない 思い出が 多すぎて イントロが 終わる前に あの頃が フラッシュバックするよ 街の夜を 吹き抜けてた…
Nobody But You I can't sleep, I'm lonely If only you were here to…
oh baby What they mama gonna say when I hit them Oh my…
One of These Mornings I wasted so much time on all these groupie bitches Still…
People Are Meddling Sleep well And dream up a storm Build a bivouac To keep your…
Play a Little While It's been a little while since you, you cried The fire's…
Please Don't We've been together for a long time baby Do you have…
Round and Round Les Chevaliers de la Table Ronde Dorment au fond de la…
She Don't Know Oh stealing moments just to be with you Though its wrong…
Shook Up Over You Days into weeks Weeks into months Months into years I'm blue…
Shot on James Meredith June the 6th 1966 They shot James Meredith down just…
Sing Um The Way I Feel Well if you wanna love that woman You'd better love her…
Slow Down slow down, slow down let me step on board I…
Slow Down Woman Rolling around, my window barely down Smokin' to ease the st…
Stay in My Corner Listen to me, coming back from the ground I had to…
Talk to Your Daughter Mamma mamma please talk to your daughter for me Mamma mamma…
Tear for Tear 모르지만 이젠 이해 할 수 있어 니가 지금 이곳에 있는 이유를…
The Boy Next Door Look Look Look, she bending over Good Lawd have mercy The Lo…
The Mojo I got a bad mojo I got a bad mojo Caught a…
The Mountain I always heard about the great Atlantic How it humbles you…
The Twist 15 Years old when I started this shit 20 Now many…
Vietnam Vietnam Vietnam, everybody cryin' about Vietnam Vietnam Viet…
Voodoo Music The voodoo music got the whole world on the go The…
Walk On With The Duke I am weak But Thou art strong Jesus keep me from all…
What Have I Done What's up, girl? He stood me up again Again? Mmh mmh Well wh…
What's Happening? Every day yeah yeah yeah yeah Every day yeah yeah yeah…
When I Am Drinking I love you…
When I Was Young When I was gone I heard you was fuckin' on whoever Love…
Whisper Of The Wind I barely sleep since that one dream How gullible to think…
Worried About My Baby Little girl, I want you to stop your foolishness Quit your…
You Can Make It If You Try (him) Today I passed you on the street And my heart…
You Can Run TRI.BE, be da loca Yah, it's about time, rocket 대기권 뚫고…
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