Ernest Lane (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ernest Lane
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ernest Ray Lane |
| Born | March 16, 1931 Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | July 8, 2012 (aged 81) Culver City, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues, R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Piano, organ |
| Years active | 1949-2012 |
| Labels | Blues & Rhythm, Sony, Rooster Blues, Aristocrat, Evejim |
| Associated acts | Ike Turner, Kings of Rhythm, Ike & Tina Turner, Pinetop Perkins, Robert Nighthawk, Canned Heat |
Ernest Ray Lane (born March 16, 1931 – died July 8, 2012) was a talented American blues pianist. He played music with many well-known blues artists and groups. Some of these included Pinetop Perkins, Robert Nighthawk, Ike Turner, and Canned Heat. Ernest Lane also released his own songs and albums as a solo artist.
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Ernest Lane's Early Life and Music Career
Ernest Lane was born on March 16, 1931, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He grew up there with his mother, Ethel Thomas, and his five brothers and sisters. His father, John Lane, was a painter and also played ragtime piano.
Ernest and his childhood friend, Ike Turner, often spent time at Ernest's father's house. One day, they heard a blues pianist named Pinetop Perkins playing a lively style called boogie-woogie. This music really caught their attention! Pinetop Perkins then taught both Ernest and Ike how to play the piano.
Starting His Professional Journey
In 1949, Ernest Lane began his professional music career. He played piano for guitarist Robert Nighthawk during a recording session. They recorded two songs: "Black Angel Blues (Sweet Black Angel)" and "Annie Lee Blues." These songs were released by Aristocrat Records under the name The Nighthawks. The group included Robert Nighthawk, Ernest Lane, and bassist Willie Dixon. Their song "Annie Lee Blues" became quite popular, reaching #13 on the Billboard R&B chart in December 1949.
In 1952, Ernest Lane released his first song as a solo artist. It was called "What's Wrong, Baby?" and came out on Blues & Rhythm Records.
Moving to California and New Collaborations
Ernest Lane moved to California in 1956. There, he performed with other musicians like Jimmy Nolen and George "Harmonica" Smith. In the early 1960s, he joined the famous Ike & Tina Turner Revue. This led to the release of his song "What's That You've Got" on Ike Turner's Sony label in 1963.
He also performed with Earl Hooker and Houston Stackhouse on the Chitlin' Circuit, which was a network of venues for African-American entertainers. Later in his career, Ernest Lane recorded music with other well-known groups, including the Monkees and Canned Heat.
Later Years and Musical Comeback
Ernest Lane took a break from the music world for several years. However, in the late 1990s, he reunited with his childhood friend, Ike Turner. Ernest joined Turner's band, the Kings of Rhythm, for Turner's musical comeback.
Ernest Lane played piano on two of Ike Turner's albums that received awards. He played on Here And Now (2001), which was nominated for a Grammy. He also played on Risin' With The Blues (2006), which won a Grammy Award! When Ike Turner passed away in 2007, Ernest Lane led the band at his funeral, playing some of Turner's classic songs.
Ernest Lane also released three solo albums of his own: The Blues Is Back! (2004), Born with the Blues (2008), and 72 Miles From Memphis (2011).
Ernest Lane passed away on July 8, 2012, in Culver City, California. He is buried at Riverside National Cemetery.
Ernest Lane's Music: A Look at His Discography
Ernest Lane released several singles and albums throughout his career, both as a solo artist and as a sideman for other musicians.
Singles
- 1963: "What's That You've Got" / "Need My Help" (Sony 114)
- 1984: "Doggin' No More" / "Little Girl" (Rooster Blues R 50)
Singles as a Sideman
- 1949: "Annie Lee Blues"/"Black Angel Blues" (Aristocrat 2301) – with The Nighthawks
Albums
- 2004: The Blues Is Back! (Acoustic Music Records)
- 2008: Born with the Blues (Evejim Records)
- 2011: 72 Miles From Memphis (Acoustic Music Records)
Albums as a Sideman
- 1969: Hallelujah – with Canned Heat
- 1970: Future Blues – with Canned Heat
- 1972 Sneakin' Around – with Canned Heat
- 2001: Here And Now – with Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm
- 2006: Risin' With The Blues – with Ike Turner
- 2012: Ike Turner Studio Productions New Orleans And Los Angeles 1963-1965 – with Ike Turner
- 2012: Trouble Up The Road: The Recordings 1961 – with Ike Turner
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