Lee Gates facts for kids

Brice Lee Gates (born December 20, 1937 – died April 15, 2020) was a talented American blues musician. He was a guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Lee Gates was the cousin of another famous blues artist, Albert Collins. He released three albums with the Music Maker record label. Gates played music for nearly 60 years. He lived mostly in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Early Years of Lee Gates

Lee Gates was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi, USA. His parents were Brice and Inez Gates. He loved blues music from a young age. He enjoyed the sounds of famous artists like B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, and Muddy Waters. Lee even visited Randy's Record Shop in Memphis, Tennessee. There, he learned a lot from other blues musicians. His parents also played guitar, both blues and country styles. His mother gave him his first guitar when he was 14 years old.

Moving to Milwaukee and Meeting Albert Collins

In 1959, when he was in his early twenties, Lee moved to Milwaukee. He started playing guitar and singing in local music spots called juke joints. Lee knew that Albert Collins was his cousin. However, they didn't meet until 1974. Gates shared that his father's brother had many children in Texas. He never met them as a child, but they all knew about each other. When Albert came to Milwaukee, Lee showed him around. They even played some shows together. Lee said that every time Albert came to town, they would eat dinner together. He considered Albert a good friend.

Lee Gates found a job playing with the house band at Wilson's Club in Milwaukee. He stayed there for 15 years straight. Over the years, Gates performed all over the Midwest. He also traveled to play in California, Kansas, Alabama, and even in Europe. He also played alongside Sonny Boy Williamson II, who lived in Milwaukee for a while.

Working with Music Maker

Lee Gates wanted more people to hear his music. He contacted Tim Duffy from the Music Maker Relief Foundation. Gates told him he wanted to travel to North Carolina to record an album. Duffy suggested he meet drummer and producer Ardie Dean in Huntsville, Alabama.

Lee Gates arrived early one morning. His first album, Lee Gates and the Alabama Cotton Kings (2005), was recorded in just three hours! The Music Maker Foundation helped Gates in many ways. They helped pay for his medicine. They also gave him two guitars. Most importantly, they helped him record two more albums. They also arranged for Gates to tour in Australia. He also played at various music festivals in the US.

Later Career and Albums

Gates' next album was Black Lucy's Deuce (2006). Another musician, Cool John Ferguson, played guest guitar on this recording. Touring with Lucy was his third album. The "Lucy" in both album titles was the name of Gates' guitar.

Lee Gates sometimes felt he didn't get enough chances to play at big events like Summerfest. He once said in an interview that he felt he didn't get the credit he deserved. He had been playing for over 50 years. He believed there was unfair treatment at Summerfest. He felt he shouldn't need a CD out to be paid well at the festival. He thought if they wanted musicians to have CDs, they should pay them like other professional artists.

Lee Gates played with famous musicians like Albert Collins and Hubert Sumlin. He was also a regular weekly performer at the Six Points Pub in West Allis, Wisconsin.

Death

Lee Gates' daughter shared that he passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was in a nursing home on April 15, 2020. He was 82 years old.

Discography