Lowell Fulson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lowell Fulson
Performing in Paris in 1980
Background information
Born	(1921-03-31)March 31, 1921 Atoka, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died	March 7, 1999(1999-03-07) (aged 77) Long Beach, California
Genres	West Coast blues soul blues
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1940s–1999
Labels	Swing Time Checker Kent Rounder

Lowell Fulson (born March 31, 1921 – died March 7, 1999) was an American blues musician. He was a talented guitarist and songwriter. Lowell was a very important figure in West Coast blues music during the 1940s and 1950s. He sometimes used the names Lowell Fullsom or Lowell Fulsom for his recordings.

Early Life and Beginnings

Lowell Fulson was born in Atoka, Oklahoma. This was on a Choctaw reservation. His parents were Mamie and Martin Fulson. Lowell said his father's family was Cherokee. He also said his mother's family was Choctaw.

When Lowell was young, his father passed away. A few years later, he moved with his mother and brothers. They went to live in Clarita. He also went to school in Coalgate.

A Career in Music

When Lowell was 18, he moved to Ada, Oklahoma. In 1940, he joined a band with Alger "Texas" Alexander. After a few months, he moved to California. There, he started his own band. A young Ray Charles was in his band. So was the saxophone player Stanley Turrentine.

Lowell Fulson joined the U.S. Navy in 1943. He served until 1945. After the Navy, he continued his music career.

Recording His Music

Lowell Fulson recorded music for many record companies. In the 1940s, he recorded for Swing Time Records. In the 1950s, he recorded for Chess Records on their Checker label. He also recorded for Kent Records in the 1960s. Later, he worked with Rounder Records in the 1970s.

He wrote many famous blues songs. These include "3 O'Clock Blues", which was B.B. King's first big hit. He also wrote "Reconsider Baby", which is a classic blues song. Another hit was "Tramp". He wrote "Tramp" with Jimmy McCracklin. Many other artists recorded this song.

In 1965, his song "Black Nights" became a hit. It was his first hit in ten years. Then "Tramp" became even more popular. This made him a big star in R&B music again.

Later Years and Tributes

In 1993, a special show honored Lowell Fulson. It was called California Blues: Swingtime Tribute. The show took place at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, California. Lowell Fulson performed there with other famous musicians.

Lowell's very last recording was in 1999. He sang "Every Day I Have the Blues" with Jimmy Rogers. This song was on Jimmy Rogers' album, The Jimmy Rogers All-Stars: Blues, Blues, Blues.

His Passing

Lowell Fulson passed away in Long Beach, California. He died on March 7, 1999. He was 77 years old. His companion, Tina Mayfield, said he died from problems with his kidneys, diabetes, and heart. He had four children and thirteen grandchildren. Lowell Fulson was buried in Inglewood Park Cemetery in California.

Awards and Special Recognition

Lowell Fulson received many awards for his music:

• 1993: He was added to the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.
• 1993: His song "Reconsider Baby" was named a "Classic of Blues Recording" by the Blues Foundation.
• 1993: He won a Blues Foundation Blues Music Award for his album Hold On. It was named "Traditional Album of the Year".
• 1993: He received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.
• 1995: His album Them Update Blues was nominated for a Grammy Award. It was for "Best Traditional Blues Album of the Year".
• 1995: His song "Reconsider Baby" was included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list. It was one of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll".
• 2010: His album Hung Down Head was named a "Classic of Blues Recording" by the Blues Foundation.

Charting Singles

Lowell Fulson had many songs that became popular on the music charts. Here are some of his biggest hits:

See also

In Spanish: Lowell Fulson para niños