Lamar Williams facts for kids

Lamar Williams (born January 14, 1949 – died January 21, 1983) was an American musician. He was best known as the bassist for two famous bands: The Allman Brothers Band (from 1972 to 1976) and Sea Level (from 1976 to 1980).

Early Life and Music

Lamar Williams was born in Gulfport, Mississippi. He grew up in a nearby town called Handsboro. He also spent time in Newton, Mississippi. Lamar taught himself how to play music. He loved the bass parts in songs and wanted to master the bass guitar. When he was 14, he played with a gospel music group called Deep South. His father also sang in this group.

Around 1965, he met a drummer named Jai Johanny Johanson (who later became known as Jaimoe) in high school. They started playing in bands together. They performed in many groups along the Gulf Coast. One of the most famous was George Woods' Sounds of Soul, where Lamar played from 1965 to 1967. Lamar was inspired by bass players like James Jamerson in R&B music and Stanley Clarke in jazz. His R&B playing helped Jaimoe learn how to play the bass drum better.

Time in the Military

In 1968, Lamar Williams joined the United States Army. At first, he was part of a special band. This band played music for soldiers in training and for local people. They played many different types of music, like country and ragtime. Lamar later said that this was an interesting time for music. He believed it was important to learn about different music styles.

Later, Williams was sent to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He was against this war and believed that fighting was wrong. He left his unit without permission. He moved around the countryside for several months. He sometimes joined new units and told them he had gotten separated from his old one. Eventually, he was honorably discharged from the Army in 1970. After leaving the army, he played with a group called the Fungus Blues Band.

Music Career Highlights

The Allman Brothers Band

Williams (top center) with the Allman Brothers around 1975–76

By 1972, The Allman Brothers Band was very successful. Their original bassist, Berry Oakley, had passed away. Lamar Williams joined the band in late 1972 because of his connection with Jaimoe.

Lamar's bass playing was more traditional than Oakley's. This allowed the band's drummers to be more creative. The Allman Brothers Band became very popular during this time. Lamar played on most songs of their best-selling album, Brothers and Sisters, released in 1973. They played in large venues and performed for huge crowds, like 600,000 fans at the Summer Jam at Watkins Glen.

Lamar and the band's new pianist, Chuck Leavell, were paid employees of the band. The band faced challenges with their fame and started to break apart in the mid-1970s. Lamar, Chuck, and Jaimoe became very close during this time. When the Allman Brothers Band reunited later, Lamar and Chuck decided to focus on their new band, Sea Level, instead of rejoining the Allmans full-time.

Sea Level

After the Allman Brothers Band broke up in 1976, Lamar Williams started a new band called Sea Level. He formed it with Jaimoe and Chuck Leavell from the Allmans. In Sea Level, Lamar played in a more relaxed, jazz-influenced style. Sea Level became quite successful.

Lamar left Sea Level in 1980, shortly before the band broke up completely.

Wayne Sharp and The Sharpshooter Band

Soon after, Jaimoe and Lamar joined their old friend Wayne Sharp and his band, The SharpShooter Band, in California. The band recorded music and went on tour. Lamar became ill while they were touring. He passed away in January 1983, and the band stopped playing for a while.

Family Life

Lamar Williams married Marian Belina in 1974. They had two children together.

One of his children, Lamar Williams, Jr., is also a musician. He plays with a band called The Revival. From 2015 to 2017, he also sang with a band called Les Brers. This band included other musicians who had played with the Allman Brothers.

Lamar's brother, James Williams, is also a bassist. He helped start a blues band called Root Doctor in Michigan.

Illness and Passing

Lamar Williams was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1981. His doctors thought the illness might have come from being exposed to a chemical called Agent Orange during his time in Vietnam. He had surgery and received treatment. He spent much of his last year in hospitals for veterans in Los Angeles.

Lamar passed away on January 21, 1983, in Los Angeles. He was 34 years old, just seven days after his birthday. His funeral was held in Gulfport, Mississippi. He is buried in Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi, Mississippi.

After his death, a group called the Lamar Williams Foundation For Agent Orange Research was created. This group helped raise money for research and other organizations that supported Vietnam War veterans.

In 2015, the Mississippi Blues Trail honored Lamar Williams, Jaimoe, and other musicians from the area. They placed a historical marker called "Gulfport Boogie" to remember their contributions to American music.

Discography

The Allman Brothers Band

• Brothers and Sisters (1973)
• Win, Lose or Draw (1975)
• Wipe the Windows, Check the Oil, Dollar Gas (1976)
• Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY: 5/1/73 (2005)

Sea Level

• Sea Level (1977)
• Cats on the Coast (1977)
• On the Edge (1978)
• Long Walk on a Short Pier (1979)
• Ball Room (1980)

See also

In Spanish: Lamar Williams para niños