Vernon Guy facts for kids

Vernon Guy (born March 21, 1945 – died September 10, 1998) was an American singer who specialized in R&B music. He lived in St. Louis, Missouri. Early in his career, he toured with famous bandleader Ike Turner as part of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Vernon Guy also released some solo songs on Ike Turner's record labels. Later, in the mid-1960s, he started a group called the Sharpees with Benny Sharp. He also performed with other well-known musicians like Bennie Smith and Johnnie Johnson.

Vernon Guy's Early Life and Music Career

Vernon Guy was born in St. Louis on March 21, 1945. When he was young, he started singing gospel music with his brother. They were part of a group called the Seven Gospel Singers. Gospel music is a type of music that often has religious themes.

Vernon Guy was inspired by a singer named Frankie Lymon. Because of this, he started singing popular, non-religious music. His group changed its name to the Cool Sounds. The Cool Sounds entered local talent shows. They even won a show called "Shower of Stars." This show was sponsored by a radio station called KATZ and held at Kiel Auditorium. The prize was supposed to be a chance to record their music, but it never happened.

Even without a recording deal, the group kept performing. They played at clubs in St. Louis and East St. Louis. Some of the places they played included the Manhattan Club, the Riviera, the Dynaflow, and the Red Top. They performed with bands led by famous musicians like Albert King, Little Milton, and Oliver Sain.

Joining Ike Turner's Band

In 1961, Vernon Guy saw his friend, Stacy Johnson, singing with a band called Benny Sharp and the Zorros of Rhythm. They were playing at the Club Caravan. Stacy Johnson introduced Vernon Guy to Benny Sharp. Sharp asked Guy to sing the song "Shout" by the Isley Brothers. Sharp was very impressed with Guy's singing. He offered Guy a job in his band. Vernon Guy, Stacy Johnson, and another singer named Horise O'Toole became known as a group called New Breed.

One day, at the Club Caravan, Ike Turner's singer, Jimmy Thomas, introduced Johnson and Guy to Ike Turner. Ike Turner's singer, Robbie Montgomery from The Ikettes, had suggested them. Ike Turner asked Vernon Guy and Stacy Johnson to join his group, the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Ike Turner even went home with Guy to ask his mother and grandmother for permission for him to go on tour.

At first, Vernon Guy sang backup in the revue. After a few weeks of touring, Guy and Johnson recorded their first songs for Ike Turner. They recorded these songs at Turner's home in East St. Louis. Vernon Guy released his first song on Turner's record label, Teena Records, in 1963.

The touring schedule was very demanding. Vernon Guy also had to do a lot of roadie work, which meant helping set up and take down equipment. He found out he was owed money from his songs. While in Fort Smith, Arkansas, he decided to leave the group without telling Ike Turner. He went back to St. Louis. After a few days, Jimmy Thomas contacted him and said Turner wanted him back. Vernon Guy rejoined the revue in Detroit. After he returned, Guy and Johnson were featured more in the shows. They recorded together as Vernon & Stacy. In 1963, they released a song called "The Hunter And The Rabbit" / "My Life Time Love" on Turner's label, Sonja Records.

Forming The Sharpees

In 1964, Vernon Guy was tired of touring so much. He was also in love with a girl back home. So, he left the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Back in St. Louis, he rejoined Benny Sharp. Together, they formed a new group called the Sharpees.

The Sharpees signed a contract with One-derful Records, a record company in Chicago. They released their first song, "Do the 45," which was a small hit in 1965. The band released a few more songs and kept performing throughout the 1970s. The members of the band changed over time. In 1978, Benny Sharp stopped performing and focused on religion.

In 1985, Vernon Guy briefly brought the Sharpees back together with Stacy Johnson. Guy's nephew, Paul Grady, was also in the band. After the Sharpees broke up again, Vernon Guy continued to perform mostly by himself around St. Louis. He still performed with Stacy Johnson sometimes. He also played with musicians Bennie Smith and Johnnie Johnson.

Vernon Guy passed away in a car accident in St. Louis on September 10, 1998.

Vernon Guy's Music

Singles

• 1963: "You've Got Me (Just Where You Want Me)" / "They Ain't Lovin' Ya" (Teena 1703)
• 1963: "The Hunter And The Rabbit" / "My Life Time Love" (Sonja 2002)
• 1964: "Anything - To Make It With You" / "Walking Down The Isle" (Sonja 2007)
• 1980: "My Brand New Woman" / "Ooh Vernon" (Electric Land 811020)

Albums with Ike & Tina Turner

• 1964: Ike & Tina Turner Revue Live (Kent Records)
• 1965: Live! The Ike & Tina Turner Show (Warner Bros. Records)
• 2004: The Bad Man: Rare & Unreissued Ike Turner Produced Recordings 1962-1965 (Night Train International)
• 2012: Ike Turner Studio Productions: New Orleans and Los Angeles 1963–1965 (Ace Records)

Other Album Appearances

• 1999: West Coast Modern Blues 1960's (P-Vine Records)
• 2013: New Breed Blues With Black Popcorn (Kent Dance)