FRANKIE LEE

Lee was born April 29, 1941, in rural Mart, TX. He began recording in 1963 with Don Robey's Duke/Peacock label out of Houston. He recorded three singles that attracted regional attention: "Full Time Lover," "Taxi Blues" and "Hello, Mr. Blues." Soon Ike Turner invited him to join the Ike & Tina Turner Revue road show. Lee then began working with Albert Collins and sang with his band from 1965-1968. By 1971, Lee was in Los Angeles, working with his cousin Johnny "Guitar" Watson recording for Elka Records, with Watson producing. In 1973, Frankie moved to Oakland, the West Coast home of the blues. In the late 70's, a young guitarist by the name of Robert Cray played in Frankie's back-up band. In the early 80s Lee landed a contract with Hightone Records and recorded his debut album in 1984. Frankie Lee relocated to New York in 1988 where he performed regularly at clubs such as the Ritz, the Lone Star, and Tramps, and worked in similar clubs from Boston to Florida. Lee was signed to record for the Flying Fish label in 1992, released an album with Doug Newby & the Bluzblasters. An album for Blind Pig was released in 1994 followed by an outing on Blues Express in 1999.