Lazy Bill Lucas facts for kids

Lazy Bill Lucas (born May 29, 1918 – died December 11, 1982) was an American blues musician. He helped create the sound of Chicago blues in the 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s. Later, he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he became a very important part of the city's blues music scene until he passed away.

Early Music Career

William Lucas was born in Wynne, Arkansas, United States. His family moved around a lot looking for better work. They went north to Southern Missouri, then to St. Louis in 1940, and finally to Chicago the next year. When he was young, he sang on the streets of Advance, Missouri. People there mostly liked hillbilly songs.

In St. Louis in 1940, he started working with blues singer Big Joe Williams. This is when he began singing for a Black audience. Until 1946, Lucas played guitar on the streets. He often played with Sonny Boy Williamson II. Later that year, he formed a group of three musicians with Willie Mabon and Earl Dranes. They joined the Musicians Union. They even had a two-week job playing at the Tuxedo Lounge.

For several years, he played in different blues groups. He performed in clubs, bars, and on the streets. During this time, he played with famous musicians like Johnny "Man" Young, Jo Jo Williams, Homesick James, Little Hudson, Snooky Pryor, and Little Walter. In 1950, Lucas switched from playing guitar to playing the piano. He worked as a sideman (a musician who plays with a main band or artist). He also appeared on records by Little Willy Foster, Homesick James, and Snooky Pryor.

In 1954, Lazy Bill led a group called Lazy Bill and His Blue Rhythms. They got a recording contract with Chance Records. The company released one record with two songs: "She Got Me Walkin'" and "I Had a Dream." In 1955, he led another group called Blues Rockers. They released a song through Excello Records. This recording happened in Nashville, Tennessee. Lucas sang and played piano. P.T. Hayes played harmonica, Earl Dranes played guitar, and Jo Jo Williams played guitar, bass, and drums.

Later Music Career

As the 1950s ended, it became harder for musicians to find work. In the 1960s, Lucas tried to join the folk-blues music scene. However, he couldn't get any recording deals. From 1964 and into the 1970s, Lucas had two main music jobs. He played in different groups led by George "Mojo" Buford. He also played by himself or led his own small groups. He often played with guitarists David Hartley and later Jeff Titon.

In 1970, Lucas, Titon, and drummer Mitchell Gevova performed in a show called Dat Feelin'. This show was about the history of Afro-American music. It was performed at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. The same year, Lucas played at the Wisconsin Delta Blues Festival and the Ann Arbor Blues Festival. He performed with Jeff Titon and John Schrag.

In France, a record producer named Michel Engelhard released two albums. These were Lazy Bill Lucas (1969), which featured Lucas singing and playing solo piano, and Lazy Bill and His Friends (1970). On the second album, he played with musicians like George "Mojo" Buford (harmonica) and Jo Jo Williams (guitar). In 1973, Titon and Papa John Kolstad helped record Lucas's music for Philo Records. In 1979, Lucas started his own radio show. It was called The Lazy Bill Lucas Show on KFAI in Minneapolis. He had played live on the radio before, in the 1960s.

Lazy Bill Lucas passed away from natural causes in Minneapolis in December 1982. He was 64 years old.

Discography

Singles

• Lazy Bill and His Blue Rhythms: "She Got Me Walkin" b/w " I Had A Dream" : Chance Records 1148 (1954)
• Blues Rockers: "Calling All Cows" b/w " Johnny Mae" : Excello Records 2062 (1955)

Albums

• Lazy Bill Lucas: Wild Records 12MO1 (1969)
• Lazy Bill and His Friends: Lazy Records 12MO2 (1970)
• Lazy Bill Lucas: Philo Records 1007 (1974)
• Have Mercy: Cold Wind Records (1988)