Joe Liggins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Liggins
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Theodro Elliott |
| Also known as | Joseph Christopher Liggins Jr. |
| Born | July 9, 1916 Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | July 31, 1987 (aged 71) Lynwood, California |
| Genres | R&B, jump blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, musician, bandleader |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1930s—1987 |
| Labels | Exclusive, Modern, Dot, Specialty |
Joseph Christopher Liggins, Jr., born Theodro Elliott (July 9, 1916 – July 26, 1987), was an American R&B, jazz, and blues pianist and singer. He led a famous band called Joe Liggins and his Honeydrippers in the 1940s and 1950s. His band had many songs that became hits on the Billboard music charts. Their biggest hit was a song called "The Honeydripper", which came out in 1945. Joe Liggins was also the older brother of another R&B musician, Jimmy Liggins.
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Joe Liggins' Early Life and Music Career
Joe Liggins was born in Seminole, Oklahoma. His birth name was Theodro Elliott, but he later took his stepfather's last name, Liggins. In the 1930s, he started using the names Joseph Christopher.
His family moved to San Diego in 1932. Joe went to Hoover High School and then studied music at San Diego State College. He played music with local bands in clubs and at Navy bases. He also wrote music arrangements for other groups. In 1935, he joined a band called the Creole Crusaders.
Forming The Honeydrippers
In 1939, Joe Liggins moved to Los Angeles. He played with different bands there. He wrote a song called "The Honeydripper", but another band leader didn't want to record it. So, Joe decided to start his own band!
He formed Joe Liggins and His Honeydrippers in a basement in Los Angeles. Little Willie Jackson, a saxophonist, helped start the group. Their song "The Honeydripper" became a huge hit in 1945. It was number one on the R&B chart (which was then called the "race chart") for 18 weeks! This song sold over two million copies. It's still tied for the longest time at number one on that chart.
Big Concerts and More Hits
Joe Liggins and his Honeydrippers played at many famous concerts called the Cavalcade of Jazz. These concerts were held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. Joe Liggins' band played at more of these concerts than any other artist! People called his band "The Hottest Little Band in the Land."
Joe Liggins had many more hit songs. Some of these included "Left a Good Deal in Mobile" (1945), "Got a Right to Cry" (1946), "Tanya" (1946), and "Blow Mr. Jackson" (1947).
In 1950, he signed with a new record company called Specialty Records. He had more hits like "Rag Mop" (1950) and "Pink Champagne". "Pink Champagne" was number one for 13 weeks in 1950! It also became popular on the main pop music chart. Both "Pink Champagne" and "Got A Right To Cry" sold over one million copies, earning them "gold discs."
Joe Liggins' Music Style
Joe Liggins' songs were a mix of jump blues and basic R&B music. Jump blues is a fast-paced style of blues music, often played by smaller bands. Joe Liggins was one of the key musicians who helped create this sound after World War II. He often toured with other famous musicians like Jimmy Witherspoon and Amos Milburn.
In 1946, before "rock music" was a common term, Billboard (magazine) described his band's song "Sugar Lump" as "right rhythmic rock and roll music."
Joe Liggins continued to perform even after his biggest hits in the 1950s. He played music until he passed away in 1987 at the age of 71.
The Honeydrippers (Band Members)
Here are the main members of Joe Liggins' band, The Honeydrippers:
- Little Willie Jackson – alto saxophone, baritone saxophone
- James Jackson, Jr. – tenor saxophone
- Joe Liggins – piano, vocals
- Frank Pasley – guitar
- Eddie Davis – bass
- Preston "Peppy" Prince – drums
Sometimes, other musicians joined them for recordings:
- Joe Darensbourg – clarinet
- Johnny Moore – guitar
- Gene Phillips – guitar
- Red Callender – bass
Discography
Here are some of Joe Liggins' hit songs and how they did on the music charts:
| Year | Single | Chart positions | ||||
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| "US Retail Sales" | "US Disc Jockey" | "US Juke Box" | US R&B |
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| 1945 | "The Honeydripper" (with The Honeydrippers) | – | – | – | 1 | |
| "Left A Good Deal In Mobile" (The Honeydrippers with Herb Jeffries) | – | – | – | 2 | ||
| 1946 | "Got A Right To Cry" (with The Honeydrippers) | – | – | 12 | 2 | |
| "Tanya" (with The Honeydrippers) | – | – | – | 3 | ||
| 1947 | "Blow Mr. Jackson" (with The Honeydrippers) | – | – | – | 3 | |
See also
- San Francisco Blues Festival
- Long Beach Blues Festival
- List of Jump blues musicians
- List of artists who reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart
- List of R&B musicians
- First rock and roll record
