Frank Bey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frank Bey
Background information
Birth name	Frank Bass
Born	(1946-01-17)January 17, 1946 Millen, Georgia, U.S.
Died	June 7, 2020(2020-06-07) (aged 74) Glenolden, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres	Blues
Occupation(s)	Singer
Labels	Nola Blue

Back in Business album cover, released September 21, 2018

All My Dues Are Paid was recorded and produced by Chrisoffer "Kid" Andersen at Greaseland Studio and released January 17, 2020

Frank Bey (born Frank Bass; January 17, 1946 – June 7, 2020) was an American blues singer. He was known for his powerful voice. When he was 27, he changed his last name from Bass to Bey. This happened when he joined the Moorish Science Temple of America.

Frank Bey's Early Life and Music

Growing Up and Singing Gospel

Frank Bey was born and grew up in Millen, Georgia. He was the seventh of twelve children. His mother, Maggie Jordan, was a gospel singer. Frank started singing gospel music when he was only four years old.

He formed a group called "The Rising Sons" with his brother and two cousins. They traveled around the Southern United States. They performed live shows and sang on the radio. Frank sang with this group until he was about 12 or 13 years old.

He also sang with his mother at local concerts. This gave him a chance to open shows for famous groups. Some of these groups included the Five Blind Boys of Alabama and the Soul Stirrers.

Frank Bey's Career in Blues Music

Moving to Philadelphia and New Opportunities

When Frank was 17, he left home and moved to Philadelphia. There, he worked as a driver for Gene Lawson. Gene Lawson was the person who helped promote Otis Redding's concerts. Sometimes, Otis Redding would ride in the car with Frank.

Frank said that three times, the opening act for a concert was late. This gave him the chance to sing and open the shows himself.

Taking a Break from Music

In the early 1970s, Frank joined a group called the Moorish Vanguard. They started touring in the Southeast. In 1976, Frank produced a song called The Sunset of Your Love. Later, James Brown released the song without the group's permission. After this, Frank decided to leave the music business for 17 years. During this time, he ran his own businesses. He worked in construction and owned restaurants.

Returning to the Stage

By 1996, Frank Bey started singing again in the Philadelphia area. In 1998, he released his first album, Steppin' Out. It was on MAG Records. He had some health problems, which made it hard for him to perform much.

In 2007, he released another album called Blues in the Pocket. Around this time, a blues DJ named Noel Hayes invited Frank to the Bay Area in California. There, he performed with guitarist Anthony Paule and other musicians. Frank and Anthony Paule worked together on three albums. These were You Don't Know Nothing (Live), Soul for Your Blues, and Not Goin' Away. They released these albums between 2013 and 2015.

In July 2018, Frank Bey signed with Nola Blue Records. In September of that year, he released his first CD with them, called Back In Business. His last album, All My Dues Are Paid, came out in January 2020.

Frank Bey's Passing

Frank Bey passed away on June 7, 2020. He had been ill for a long time.

Awards and Recognitions

Frank Bey received many nominations and awards for his music:

• He was nominated for Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year at the 35th, 37th, and 40th Blues Music Awards.
• His album Soul for Your Blues (with Anthony Paule) was nominated for Soul Blues Album of the Year at the 35th Blues Music Awards.
• His album Not Goin' Away (with Anthony Paule) was nominated for Soul Blues Album of the Year at the 37th Blues Music Awards.
• His album Back In Business was nominated for Soul Blues Album of the Year at the 40th Blues Music Awards.
• In 2018, he won a Gold Medal for Male Vocalist at the Global Music Awards for Back In Business.
• Back In Business was also nominated for Soul Blues Album at the 2019 Blues Blast Music Awards.
• He received nominations for Blues Album at the 17th and 18th Independent Music Awards for Back In Business and All My Dues Are Paid.

Frank Bey's Albums