Robert Lee McCollum (30 November 1909–5 November 1967) was an American blue… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Lee McCollum (30 November 1909–5 November 1967) was an American bluesman who played and recorded under the names Robert Lee McCoy and Robert Nighthawk.
Born in Helena, Arkansas, he left home at an early age to become a busking musician, and after a period wandering through southern Mississippi settled for a time in Memphis, Tennessee. There he played with local orchestras and musicians, such as the Memphis Jug Band. A particular influence was Houston Stackhouse, from whom he learnt to play slide guitar, and with whom he appeared on the radio in Jackson, Mississippi.
After further travels through Mississippi, he found it advisable to take his mother's name, and as Robert Lee McCoy he moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Local musicians with whom he played included Henry Townsend, Big Joe Williams, and Sonny Boy Williamson. This led to two recording dates in 1937, the four musicians recording together at the Victor Records studio in Aurora, Illinois, as well as recordings under his own name, including "Prowling Night-Hawk" (recorded 5 May 1937), from which he was take his later pseudonym.
These sessions led to Chicago careers for the other musicians, but not for McCoy, who simply continued his rambling life, playing and recording (for Victor/Bluebird and Decca) solo and with various musicians, under various names. He also became a familiar voice on local radio stations. Then Robert Lee McCoy disappeared.
Within a few years he reappeared as the electric slide-guitarist Robert Nighthawk, and began recording for Chess Records. This was also Muddy Waters' label; the two men's styles were close enough that they were in competition for promotional activity — and as Waters was the more saleable commodity, being more reliable and a more confident stage communicator, he received the attention. Though Nighthawk continued to perform and to record, he failed to achieve any great commercial success.
In 1963, some ten years later, Nighthawk was discovered busking in Chicago, and this led to further recording sessions and club dates, and to his return to Arkansas, where he appeared on the King Biscuit Time radio programme. He had a stroke, followed by a heart attack, and died at his home in Helena.
Recordings
Robert Nighthawk: Prowling with the Nighthawk (Document) — twenty-six sides (1937–1952) recorded for Bluebird, Decca, Aristocrat, and United.
Ramblin' Bob (Saga) — twenty-four sides (1937–1952) recorded for Victor, Decca, Chess, and United.
Born in Helena, Arkansas, he left home at an early age to become a busking musician, and after a period wandering through southern Mississippi settled for a time in Memphis, Tennessee. There he played with local orchestras and musicians, such as the Memphis Jug Band. A particular influence was Houston Stackhouse, from whom he learnt to play slide guitar, and with whom he appeared on the radio in Jackson, Mississippi.
After further travels through Mississippi, he found it advisable to take his mother's name, and as Robert Lee McCoy he moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Local musicians with whom he played included Henry Townsend, Big Joe Williams, and Sonny Boy Williamson. This led to two recording dates in 1937, the four musicians recording together at the Victor Records studio in Aurora, Illinois, as well as recordings under his own name, including "Prowling Night-Hawk" (recorded 5 May 1937), from which he was take his later pseudonym.
These sessions led to Chicago careers for the other musicians, but not for McCoy, who simply continued his rambling life, playing and recording (for Victor/Bluebird and Decca) solo and with various musicians, under various names. He also became a familiar voice on local radio stations. Then Robert Lee McCoy disappeared.
Within a few years he reappeared as the electric slide-guitarist Robert Nighthawk, and began recording for Chess Records. This was also Muddy Waters' label; the two men's styles were close enough that they were in competition for promotional activity — and as Waters was the more saleable commodity, being more reliable and a more confident stage communicator, he received the attention. Though Nighthawk continued to perform and to record, he failed to achieve any great commercial success.
In 1963, some ten years later, Nighthawk was discovered busking in Chicago, and this led to further recording sessions and club dates, and to his return to Arkansas, where he appeared on the King Biscuit Time radio programme. He had a stroke, followed by a heart attack, and died at his home in Helena.
Recordings
Robert Nighthawk: Prowling with the Nighthawk (Document) — twenty-six sides (1937–1952) recorded for Bluebird, Decca, Aristocrat, and United.
Ramblin' Bob (Saga) — twenty-four sides (1937–1952) recorded for Victor, Decca, Chess, and United.
Someday
Robert Nighthawk Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Robert Nighthawk:
Annie Lee/Sweet Black Angel I've got a sweet black angel I likes the way she…
Big World Blues Now you know, baby You told me you didn't want me…
Black Angel Blues I've got a sweet black angel I likes the way she…
Don't Mistreat Your Woman Don't mistreat yo' woman When you know you're doin' wrong, y…
Every Day And Night I'll get the blues 'round about midnight Early with the risi…
Honey Hush Well, come in this house, stop all that yakety-yak Come in…
I Got News for You Now look-a-here, darlin' You're the only one I love Now you …
Lonesome World Now don't the world look lonesome When the evenin' sun goes…
Mamie Lee Mamie Lee Trk 10 3:04 Robert Lee McCoy (aka Ramblin' Bob…My Friend Has Forsaken Me When I had money Lord, my friends all layin' around When I…
My Sweet Lovin Woman I've got a sweet lovin woman, She lives up on that…
My Sweet Lovin' Woman I've got a sweet lovin woman, She lives up on that…
Prowling Nighthawk Now, I am the prowlin' nighthawk I prowl ev'ryday an night N…
Sweet Black Angel I've got a sweet black angel I likes the way she…Take It Easy Baby Look-a-here, baby Better start right Better stop All n'yo c…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@gtrjay55
I had this on vinyl, different cover on the Pearl label. Thank goodness for Wax Trax in Denver during my blues record days. Rock on.
@sieteleguas100
That great voice and that fantastic slide guitar play. Priceless! Nothing more left to say
@unclephilgray7461
No slide on this track, and that is recognisably Buddy Guy playing the lead breaks.
@gradydw
recorded june 1964 @chess studios: robert nighthawk voc,guitar,walter horton harp, buddy guy second guitar.
@garryfletcher5835
When I was a little boy my Father tuck me to Maxwell st in Chicago,I'ed take off and sit with Mr McCoy and listen all day till my father came and got me.
@brucespruce4689
lucky
@DonDeering
That's a beautiful memory!
@phillipbrown7278
Where did you father run off to?
@congroypadilla166
2023 and we are all still here listening 🎶 🙌
@vieurocker
Great ! great ! great !