On The Road With Jimmy Reed

[Alan Balfour]

On 10 September 1964 Jimmy Reed reached no. 48 in the British pop charts with "Shame, Shame, Shame". On the back of that success he was brought to Britain and commenced his tour with an appearance on on the live TV show Ready Steady Go (30 October) which also featured Sugar Pie Desanto and The Dixie Cups. Remembering what had been written elsewhere on SOTW concerning his 1968 UK tour I thought some folk might be interested in the following from Jazz Beat, December 1964, p.13 (less photo):

ON THE ROAD
WITH REED
By Derek Kells

JIMMY Reed a unique star of the folk blues world and recently a British chartmaker with "Shame Shame Shame", had been doing one night stands all over the country for some fifteen days before I eventually arranged a meeting with him at his London hotel. Over a couple of cool beers he told me briefly about his early childhood.

"I was born in the state of Mississippi on September 6th 1925 on a little farm at Leland, where I worked with my mother and father for sixteen years, until I left home to live with my older brother ,m Chicago. I could already play the guitar by this time and although it was only for amusement I used to derive great pleasure from little knowing that one day it would provide me with a comfortable living."

"I suppose I must have had a succession of jobs in those early days, ranging from Coalman to Junk collector when I had my own business, before I joined the Navy. It wasn't until I was discharged from the Navy, for medical reasons that I met King Davis James who taught me how to play the harmonica. In return I gave King James guitar lessons until we were both quite proficient on either instrument. This led to a recording session for Vivian Carter, a disk jockey at the time, and her boyfriend Jimmy Bracket, I cut a record for them and the Veejay Record Co. was born the name derived from both Vivian and Jimmy's initials. This my first ever record was called "High And Lonesome" and it was coupled with "Rolling Rumba".

Just then, we had to stop because Jimmy's driver was at the door, it was time for him and the boys to leave for the evening engagement at Southsea. So determined not to lose him now, I decided to accompany him to the coast. Once again when we were settled in the car Jimmy continued:

"Well after this first record was released I got together a group with Eddie Taylor, Lefty Bates and Philip Upchurch on guitar and Earl Philips on drums. I should also mention my son Jimmy Reed Jr. as since the age of twelve he has helped me on all of my records bar the first one 'High And Lonesome', He is back home as he is only seventeen and still at school

I think that the best tracks I've ever cut are 'Honest I Do' and 'You Don't Have To Go' which both sold reasonably well back in the States."

A couple of stops for coffee and a pair of hours later we found ourselves safely outside the Savoy Ballroom in Southsea, all rather perplexed at the number of people passing money over the cash desk, it seemed more like a midweek Bingo session, which as we found out later was the correct assumption Jimmy's Ballroom was further along the sea front and although named Kimbles was in the Savoy chain, hence our error. Half an hour later at the correct venue we met Jimmy's backing group "The Groundhogs" who also backed John Lee Hooker on his recent tour.

Jimmy did two 30 minute stints to the obvious delight of the crowds which had packed the room including among his numbers 'Shame Shame Shame" which was received with tumultuous applause. His searing harmonica and extravagant guitar really rocked the hall, he was sheer delight to listen to small wonder he has been labelled one of the greatest bluesmen of today.

We started back for London at about 11.30 p.m. hoping to be in town by 2 a.m. as Jimmy had to be on the way to Sheffield by 10.30 a.m. for his next engagement. As it was we reached his hotel half an hour later than expected.

"When I first knew I was coming to England for a tour I was really pleased," Jimmy told me before going into his hotel for some much needed sleep, "but I was worried about people being able to understand me, it's quite a problem you know, but I am beginning to catch on to the accent now which makes me feel much better, and I am already looking forward to coming back for another tour next year."

So I left him to get some sleep gracefully declining his offer to go with them to Sheffield the next day, for even if he had the energy I knew I certainly hadn't.

By the time you read this report Jimmy Reed will be back at work m the States, so if you haven't yet seen this giant of a man, make a note in your diary "See Reed in the Summer."

[NormanD]

On 10 September 1964 Jimmy Reed reached no. 48 in the British pop charts with "Shame, Shame, Shame". On the back of that success he was brought to Britain and commenced his tour with an appearance on on the live TV show Ready Steady Go (30 October) which also featured Sugar Pie Desanto and The Dixie Cups. Remembering what had been written elsewhere on SOTW concerning his 1968 UK tour I thought some folk might be interested in the following from Jazz Beat, December 1964, p.13 (less photo)

Now, with photo:

Apologies for the dodgy quality - this is from the mag, rather than a stock photo. It looks a bit arty, an interesting hessian effect, but I'll take it out if you think it doesn't do Jimmy justice.

This is a good article, a memoir from near 45 years back. The story about him mistakenly turning up to play his gig at the bingo session instead of Jimmy's Ballroom is a classic. Only in England.

[Charlie]

This led to a recording session for Vivian Carter, a disk jockey at the time, and her boyfriend Jimmy Bracket, I cut a record for them and the Veejay Record Co. was born the name derived from both Vivian and Jimmy's initials.

Actually, Jimmy Bracken, I believe

The possibly apocryphal story about the audition for Vee Jay has it that Jimmy played many songs better known by other people - Muddy, John Lee Hooker, etc, until producer Calvin Carter asked, 'do you have any songs that you have written yourself?'

When Jimmy said 'no', that signalled the end of the audition, but as he was packing up his equipment, Jimmy volunteered 'but I have about 300 that I made up'.

What's that phrase, 'and the rest is history'?

[Adam Blake]

Thanks Alan. That was an enjoyable read. I love the idea of these middle aged blues musicians from the Deep South wandering around the UK in the early 60s. They must have thought they were on another planet half the time. I love the story of Sonny Boy Williamson being ejected from a Northern B&B for the crime of plucking a chicken in the bath... (He'd probably stolen the chicken from a neighbouring farm)

[Alan Balfour]

This led to a recording session for Vivian Carter, a disk jockey at the time, and her boyfriend Jimmy Bracket, I cut a record for them and the Veejay Record Co. was born the name derived from both Vivian and Jimmy's initials.

Actually, Jimmy Bracken, I believe

I had intended to insert [sic] after that but in my hurry obviously forgot. Mind you I think Jimmy Bracket has a certain ring to it. I should post the report of Jacques Demetre/Marcel Chauvard's 1959 meeting with Bracken and Carter along with the photo one of them took. Makes for amusing reading.

[Alan Balfour]

I thought I'd give this a bump in light of the author of this feature having joined the forum.

Perhaps he'll share some other reminiscences from his time as editor of Jazz Beat.