Kansas City Red facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kansas City Red
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| Birth name | Arthur Lee Stevenson |
| Born | May 7, 1926 Drew, Mississippi, United States |
| Died | May 7, 1991 (aged 65) |
| Genres | Blues |
| Occupation(s) | Blues musician, nightclub owner-manager |
| Instruments | Vocals, drums |
| Years active | 1950s–1991 |
| Labels | Earwig, JSP, P-Vine |
| Associated acts | Robert Nighthawk, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Earl Hooker, Floyd Jones, Joe Carter, Big Walter Horton, Big John Wrencher |
Arthur Lee Stevenson (born May 7, 1926 – died May 7, 1991) was an American blues musician. He was better known by his stage name, Kansas City Red. He was a talented drummer and singer who helped shape the sound of urban blues music.
Kansas City Red played and recorded with many famous blues artists. These included David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Robert Nighthawk, Sunnyland Slim, and Walter Horton.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Arthur Lee Stevenson was born in Drew, Mississippi. In 1942, he took a short trip to Kansas City. This is how he got his nickname, Kansas City Red.
His first musical inspiration was David "Honeyboy" Edwards. In the early 1940s, Red started following Robert Nighthawk. One day, Nighthawk's drummer was sick. Red offered to play, even though he had never played drums before. He became Nighthawk's drummer until about 1946. Nighthawk even recorded a song written by Red called “The Moon Is Rising”.
Red also became close with Sonny Boy Williamson II. He played on the famous King Biscuit radio show in Helena, Arkansas.
Moving to Chicago and Club Ownership
In the 1950s, Kansas City Red moved to Chicago. He became a regular performer in the city's blues clubs. He played with many great musicians. Some of these were Johnny Shines, Walter Horton, Sunnyland Slim, and Earl Hooker.
He also briefly played with Honeyboy Edwards. In the 1950s, he formed a band with Earl Hooker. Red also led his own bands. The famous musician Jimmy Reed even gained early experience playing in one of Red's bands.
Beyond music, Kansas City Red owned and managed popular clubs on Chicago's West Side. These included the Boola Boola, the Shangri-La, and the Club Reno.
His Unique Music Style
Kansas City Red's music career lasted over 40 years. He was known for his unique drumming style. One blues writer, David Whiteis, described his drumming as "busy and eccentric." It was often marked by cymbal crashes and controlled drum rolls.
His special drum solo, "Freedom Train," was very famous. It featured powerful drumming that surprised listeners in the middle of a slow blues song.
Red's impact went beyond just his music. He owned clubs and encouraged many different artists and fans. He was also known for his warm and friendly style as an emcee. He hosted ongoing jam sessions in clubs like B.L.U.E.S. and the V and J Lounge. Musicians and fans from all over Chicago came to these sessions.
Discography
Kansas City Red recorded several albums during his career. A discography is a list of all the recordings made by an artist.
| Album | Artist | Media | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Friends Together for the First Time | Kansas City Red, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Sunnyland Slim, Floyd Jones | Earwig | 1981 Kansas City Red sings on "I’m a Prisoner", "Freedom Train", and "Lightning Struck the Poor House" |
| Original Chicago Blues | Kansas City Red | P-Vine Records, JSP Records | 1982 Kansas City Red sings on six of the nine songs, also featuring Eddie Taylor |
| Earwig Anniversary Sampler | Various artists | Earwig | 1995 Kansas City Red sings on "Lightnin’ Struck the Poor House" |
