Lazy Lester (Leslie Carswell Johnson, Torras, Louisiana, U.S., June 20, 1… Read Full Bio ↴Lazy Lester (Leslie Carswell Johnson, Torras, Louisiana, U.S., June 20, 1933 - August 22, 2018) was an American blues singer, harmonica player, guitarist and songwriter. His career has spanned the 1950s to 2018.
Best known for regional hits recorded with Ernie Young's Nashville-based Excello Records, Lester also contributed to songs recorded by other Excello artists, including Slim Harpo, Lightnin' Slim, and Katie Webster. Cover versions of his songs have been recorded by (among others) the Kinks, the Flamin' Groovies, Freddy Fender, Dwight Yoakam, Dave Edmunds, Raful Neal, Anson Funderburgh, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. In the comeback stage of his career (since the late 1980s) he has recorded new albums backed by Mike Buck, Sue Foley, Gene Taylor, Kenny Neal, Lucky Peterson, and Jimmie Vaughan.
In the mid-1950s, Lester was on the margins of the Louisiana blues scene. According to Rolling Stone (February 23, 2006), Buddy Guy, before moving to Chicago, had played in Louisiana "with some of the old masters: Lightnin' Hopkins, Lazy Lester, Slim Harpo." When Guy left for Chicago, in 1957, Lester replaced him, on guitar, in a local bandโeven though Lester, at the time, did not own one.
Lester's career took off when he found a seat next to Lightnin' Slim on a bus transporting Slim to an Excello recording session. At the studio, the scheduled harmonica player did not appear. Slim and Lester spent the afternoon unsuccessfully trying to find him, when Lester volunteered that he could play the harmonica. Lester's work on that first Lightnin' Slim session led the producer, Jay Miller, to record Lester as solo artist and also to use him as a multi-instrumentalist on percussion, guitar, bass, and harmonica in sessions headlined by other artists whose recorings were produced by Miller, including, notably, Slim Harpo. "Percussion" on these sessions went beyond the traditional drum kit and included a rolled-up newspaper striking a cardboard box.
Miller dubbed Lester "Lazy Lester" because of his laconic, laid-back style.
More than his vocal delivery, Lester is best remembered for songs that were later covered by a wide range of rock, country, blues, and Tex-Mex stars, chiefly, "I'm a Lover Not a Fighter," "I Hear You Knockin'," and "Sugar Coated Love."
Lester stated that he wrote these songs, but almost all are credited to Miller or to Lester and Miller. Lester also stated he received few royalties, which embittered him and made him skeptical of the music industry. By the late 1960s, he had given up on the music industry, working manual labor and pursuing his favorite hobbyโfishing. Lester moved to Pontiac, Michigan, living with Slim Harpo's sister.
In 1971, Fred Reif set up a Lightnin' Slim concert at the University of Chicago Folk Festival, and Lester was brought up from Louisiana to accompany him. A few weeks after that performance, Lester was back in Louisiana. Years later Reif and Lester were both in Michigan, from where Reif orchestrated a comeback. Lester recorded and played around the United States and abroad, backed by blues bands, including, frequently, Loaded Dice.
Lester's recordings in this period are on blues labels Alligator and Telarc, alongside releases in Europe.
If disenchanted, Lester retained his harmonica, guitar, and vocal talents (the songwriting that had been muse to the Kinks and Dwight Yoakam having dried up long before). In September 2002, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Boston Blues Society.
In 2003, Martin Scorsese included Lester in his blues tribute concert at Radio City Music Hall, a record of which was released as the film and album Lightning in a Bottle. The group photograph inside the album depicted Lester grinning, dead-center among peers and musical progeny including B.B. King, Solomon Burke, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Buddy Guy, Levon Helm, Chuck D, the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, John Fogerty, and Aerosmith.
In 2012, Lester teamed up with British Blues Woman Dani Wilde to play a special double headline concert as part of Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival.
Lester appeared and performed in a television commercial aired nationally for Geico Insurance in 2018.
He appears in the 2015 documentary film I Am the Blues.
Lester lived in Paradise, California, with his girlfriend. He died in August, 2018.
Best known for regional hits recorded with Ernie Young's Nashville-based Excello Records, Lester also contributed to songs recorded by other Excello artists, including Slim Harpo, Lightnin' Slim, and Katie Webster. Cover versions of his songs have been recorded by (among others) the Kinks, the Flamin' Groovies, Freddy Fender, Dwight Yoakam, Dave Edmunds, Raful Neal, Anson Funderburgh, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. In the comeback stage of his career (since the late 1980s) he has recorded new albums backed by Mike Buck, Sue Foley, Gene Taylor, Kenny Neal, Lucky Peterson, and Jimmie Vaughan.
In the mid-1950s, Lester was on the margins of the Louisiana blues scene. According to Rolling Stone (February 23, 2006), Buddy Guy, before moving to Chicago, had played in Louisiana "with some of the old masters: Lightnin' Hopkins, Lazy Lester, Slim Harpo." When Guy left for Chicago, in 1957, Lester replaced him, on guitar, in a local bandโeven though Lester, at the time, did not own one.
Lester's career took off when he found a seat next to Lightnin' Slim on a bus transporting Slim to an Excello recording session. At the studio, the scheduled harmonica player did not appear. Slim and Lester spent the afternoon unsuccessfully trying to find him, when Lester volunteered that he could play the harmonica. Lester's work on that first Lightnin' Slim session led the producer, Jay Miller, to record Lester as solo artist and also to use him as a multi-instrumentalist on percussion, guitar, bass, and harmonica in sessions headlined by other artists whose recorings were produced by Miller, including, notably, Slim Harpo. "Percussion" on these sessions went beyond the traditional drum kit and included a rolled-up newspaper striking a cardboard box.
Miller dubbed Lester "Lazy Lester" because of his laconic, laid-back style.
More than his vocal delivery, Lester is best remembered for songs that were later covered by a wide range of rock, country, blues, and Tex-Mex stars, chiefly, "I'm a Lover Not a Fighter," "I Hear You Knockin'," and "Sugar Coated Love."
Lester stated that he wrote these songs, but almost all are credited to Miller or to Lester and Miller. Lester also stated he received few royalties, which embittered him and made him skeptical of the music industry. By the late 1960s, he had given up on the music industry, working manual labor and pursuing his favorite hobbyโfishing. Lester moved to Pontiac, Michigan, living with Slim Harpo's sister.
In 1971, Fred Reif set up a Lightnin' Slim concert at the University of Chicago Folk Festival, and Lester was brought up from Louisiana to accompany him. A few weeks after that performance, Lester was back in Louisiana. Years later Reif and Lester were both in Michigan, from where Reif orchestrated a comeback. Lester recorded and played around the United States and abroad, backed by blues bands, including, frequently, Loaded Dice.
Lester's recordings in this period are on blues labels Alligator and Telarc, alongside releases in Europe.
If disenchanted, Lester retained his harmonica, guitar, and vocal talents (the songwriting that had been muse to the Kinks and Dwight Yoakam having dried up long before). In September 2002, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Boston Blues Society.
In 2003, Martin Scorsese included Lester in his blues tribute concert at Radio City Music Hall, a record of which was released as the film and album Lightning in a Bottle. The group photograph inside the album depicted Lester grinning, dead-center among peers and musical progeny including B.B. King, Solomon Burke, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Buddy Guy, Levon Helm, Chuck D, the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, John Fogerty, and Aerosmith.
In 2012, Lester teamed up with British Blues Woman Dani Wilde to play a special double headline concert as part of Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival.
Lester appeared and performed in a television commercial aired nationally for Geico Insurance in 2018.
He appears in the 2015 documentary film I Am the Blues.
Lester lived in Paradise, California, with his girlfriend. He died in August, 2018.
I'm a Man
Lazy Lester Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'I'm a Man' by these artists:
(1 ัะตะทะพะฝ 2 ัะตัะธั) Black Strobe Now, when I was a little boy At the age of…
1-06 I am what I am before the gram damned at…
5.12 - Black Strobe Now, when I was a little boy At the age of…
6.1 ในใใผใใใใฆๆจๆฅๆใใ ใใชใณใใชใใฆ้ขจใซๅ จ้จๆตใใ ๅใๅพ ใค่กใธๆฅใ ้ซ้ไนใฃใฆ ๆฎๆฎตใใใใใชใใใใฆใ ้ใ่กใ…
Adam Lambert I'm a man So I'm an elegant man I'm a man Satin bows…
April Wine Well my daddy sent a message, got these whiskers on…
Beef Barons Hey baby I'm a man Come as close as you can I…
Black Honey Get me off til I get there (consent) Don't resist let…
Black Strobe Now, when I was a little boy At the age of…
Bo Diddley Muddy Waters Little Walter Maybellene Maybellene, why can't you be true? Oh Maybellene…
Bo Diddley & Muddy Waters Now when I was a little boy, At the age…
bo diddley & muddy waters & little walter Maybellene Maybellene, why can't you be true? Oh Maybellene…
Bo Diddley Little Walter Muddy Waters Maybellene Maybellene, why can't you be true? Oh Maybell…
Bo Diddley Muddy Waters Little Walter Maybellene Maybellene, why can't you be true? Oh Maybellene…
Bob Schneider i got big baby eyes they're my only disguise i'm late…
Bobby Comstock A man should be mentally, physically, spiritually, and emoti…
British Invasion All-Stars Well, you pretty women Standing in line Make love to you, …
CeeLo Green Well, I'm all flesh and bone, Hmm, I'm a man. Cool and…
Charlie Winston Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my…
Charm Farm Pops took a hike when I was only five Sometimes I…
Chicago Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my…
Chuck Berry & Bo Diddley Now when I was a little boy At the age of…
Clapton - Beck - Page I'm waiting for my man Got twenty-six dollars in my hand Up…
Clapton Beck Page You pretty women, Standing in line, Make love to babe, In…
Colin Hodgkinson Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my…
Cool Ricky Well my middle name is Fitzpatrick But my family calls me…
Curtis Knight & the Squires The morning is dead And the day is, too There's nothing left…
DAVIS GROUP SPENCER Well, my pad is very messy And there's whiskers on my…
DJ Andy Smith Well, my pad is very messy and there's whiskers on…
Eddie Howell & The Rock-A-Byes Yeah, yeah Listen, love is love Love a woman Love your broth…
Emerson Keith Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my…
Eric Clapton You pretty women, Standing in line, Make love to babe, In my…
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood Well, my pad is very messy And there's whiskers on my…
Eric Clapton and Yardbirds Well, you pretty women Standing in line Make love to you, ba…
Fabian Now when I was a little boy, At the age of…
Gary Dranow So let the waters cool, the passions rise As we uncover…
H.B. Barnum I'm the one you want Better if you don't Girl I'm hard…
ian page & the affair Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my…
Jake Isaac I couldn't find noone to replace you but I really don't…
Jake Issac I could not find no one to replace you But I…
Jeff Beck You pretty women, Standing in line, Make love to babe, In my…
Jeff Beck -The Yardbirds Well, you pretty women Standing in line Make love to you, ba…
Jeffrey Wright Now when I was a little boy At the age of…
Jens Fischer Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my…
Jerry Garcia and Friends I'm your man Would you take me As I am You won't shake…
Jimi Hendrix Now when I was a little boy, At the age of…
Jobriath I maman So I'm an elegant man I'm a man Clara bowes and…
Joe Tex If I were a guitar, I'd like to be played…
John E Sharpe and The Squires The morning is dead And the day is, too There's nothing left…
John Hammond Now when I was a little boy, At the age of…
Keith Emerson Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my…
King Aiden Da Da da da Da da da Da Da da da Da da…
KUWATA BAND Was standing in a field Surrounded by the fog and haze A…
Los Lonely Boys Well my pad is very messing And there whiskers on my…
mac de marco Creeping around up in downtown Got the late night shift rol…
Mac DeMarco Creeping around up in downtown Got the late night shift roll…
Macho Body (body), wanna feel my body, baby? (Wanna feel my body,…
Malo' Someday I promise To never forget you To never lie to you An…
Marius Bear Yeah, Iโฒm a man With a special attitude Oh, your eyes, girl …
Marvin & Johnny If you told me that you loved me, I would…
MC5 If you live Live your life You know you would miss all…
Michelle Branch Pay the bills, take the pills Buy the house, make the…
MISSION X Well, My Pad Is Very Messy And There's Whiskers On…
Muddy Waters I wonder who, gonna be your sweet man when I'm…
Muddy Waters & Bo Diddley Now when I was a little boy, At the age…
Muddy Waters Bo Diddley & Little Walter Maybellene Maybellene, why can't you be true? Oh Maybell…
Muddy Waters Bo Diddley Little Walter Maybellene Maybellene, why can't you be true? Oh Maybellene…
Muddy Waters Little Walter & Bo Diddley Maybellene Maybellene, why can't you be true? Oh Maybell…
Muddy Waters/Muddy Waters/Little Walter The gypsy woman told my mother Before I was born I…
Original Television Soundtrack Now when I was a little boy At the age of…
รยฅยผรยธรงยบรยณยชรร (Chicago) Written by Stevie Winwood and Jimmy Miller Lead Vocals by Te…
Papa Jupe's T.C. Well, my name is Jock Stewart, I'm a canny gun…
Pete York Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my…
Pulp Laid here With your advertising sliding past my eyes Like ca…
Q-Tip Feat. Al Kapone [Chorus: Repeat 3X] Drank in my cup, blunt in my hand Hoes…
Q65 I was a little boy Age of five Got somethin' in my…
Reset I cannot believe All the things you say to me What about…
Rock-n-Rolla Yeah, yeah Listen, love is love Love a woman Love your broth…
Rolling Stones & Muddy Waters I wonder who, gonna be your sweet man when I'm…
Ron Wood & Bo Diddley Now when I was a little boy At the age of…
S.Davis Well, my pad is very messy And there's whiskers on my…
S.K.A. ์ ๋ฆฌ๋น์ผ์ฐฌ์ฑ์ธ I'm the man ๊บผ์ ๋ฒ๋ ค ๊ฒ์์ธ I'm the man ๋ชจ๋๋ค๋ฒผ ๋๋จธ์ง I'm…
S.L. Troopers Bitch, I'm the man, I, I, I'm the man Got no…
Sam & Dave I'm gonna wash that man right outa my hair, I'm gonna…
Sham 69 Do you ever wonder to yourself If you're a man or…
Silver Disco Explosion I'm your boogie man that's what I am I'm here to…
Smoove Well my Daddy sent a message 'bout the whiskers on my…
Spencer Davis Well, my pad is very messy And there's whiskers on my…
Spencer Davis Pete York Colin Hodgkinson Well my pad is very messy And there's whiskers on my…
Spencer Group Davis Well, my pad is very messy And there's whiskers on my…
St. John & Crew I'm a steady rollin' man, I roll both night and…
Starlite Rock Revival Now when I was a little boy, At the age of…
Steve Winwood Well, my pad is very messy And there's whiskers on my…
Stolle & Band If you told me that you love me, I would…
T.C. Matic Well, my name is Jock Stewart, I'm a canny gun…
Tay Da Prince Ima man, Iโll do everything I can Iโm gonna make it…
The 88 Itโs life like mine Itโs a dope-sick play Itโs a…
The Affair Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my…
The B. Goodes Georgia, Georgia The whole day through (the whole day throu…
The Blue Van Come on baby, Come on darling, Feel my love come onto you…
The Charms Pops took a hike when I was only five Sometimes I…
The Countdowns I'm your boogie man, that's what I am. I'm here to…
The Doors I was a young boy I was just about five I had…
The Glimmers Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my…
The Kubes Now when I was a little boy At the age of…
The Sonics McDaniel Now when I was a little boy, At the age…
The Spencer Davis Group Well, my pad is very messy And there's whiskers on my…
The Spiders Go back to Kansas so tired of being alone and now I'm…
The Wannadies (cover version of the Spencer Davis Group song, from 'How…
The Who Now when I was a little boy 'bout the age…
The Yardbirds Well, you pretty women Standing in line Make love to you, ba…
The Yardbirds (With Jeff Beck) You pretty women, Standing in line, Make love to babe, In…
The Yardbirds / Jeff Beck Well, you pretty women Standing in line Make love to you, ba…
The Yardbirds [feat. Eric Clapton] You pretty women, Standing in line, Make love to babe, In my…
The Yardbirds ย You pretty women, Standing in line, Make love to babe, In…
The Yardbirds. Eric Clapton Jeff Beck Jimmy Page Well, you pretty women Standing in line Make love to you, ba…
Tipp & V.P. ในใใผใใใใฆๆจๆฅๆใใ ใใชใณใใชใใฆ้ขจใซๅ จ้จๆตใใ ๅใๅพ ใค่กใธๆฅใ ้ซ้ไนใฃใฆ ๆฎๆฎตใใใใใชใใใใฆใ ้ใ่กใ…
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers My name's Joe, I'm the CEO Yeah I'm the man makes…
Ty Segall Well, my pad is very messy And there's whiskers on my…
V.A. ในใใผใใใใฆๆจๆฅๆใใ ใใชใณใใชใใฆ้ขจใซๅ จ้จๆตใใ ๅใๅพ ใค่กใธๆฅใ ้ซ้ไนใฃใฆ ๆฎๆฎตใใใใใชใใใใฆใ ้ใ่กใ…
Various Artists I am a man of constant sorrow I've seen trouble all…
Who Now when I was a little boy 'bout the age…
Winston Charlie Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my…
Yardbirds You pretty women, Standing in line, Make love to babe, In…
Yardbirds feat. Eric Clapton Well, you pretty women Standing in line Make love to you, ba…
โช Black Strobe Now, when I was a little boy At the age of…
ใชใใณใผใน ๆใๆน ้้ใใฆใใใฎใ? ็ช็ถใฎๅใฎใตใจใใฉ ใฉใใใถใใฎ้จใซ ้ฃใณๅบใใ ๅคๆดใใฎๆใใ I'm a man. An…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Lazy Lester:
I You went away and left me long time ago And now…
I Hear You Knockin' You went away and left me long time ago And now…
I Love You I Need You You went away and left me long time ago And now…
Irene In the middle of a dream, I heard somebody call…
Lester's Stomp phil lester singing i repeat phil lester singing phil phil p…
Nothing But the Devil Well you know yourself little girl, You ain't treating your…
St Louis Blues I hate to see that evening sun go down I hate…
Sugar Coated Love You ought to see my baby You know that girl is…
Sugar Coates Love You ought to see my baby You know that girl is…
Ya Ya Oh, well, I'm sittin' here, la, la Waiting for my ya…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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