Jimmy Liggins | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James L. Elliott[1] |
| Also known as | James H. Liggins |
| Born | (1918-10-14)October 14, 1918 Earlsboro, Oklahoma, United States |
| Died | July 21, 1983(1983-07-21) (aged 64) Durham, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B,jump blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, guitarist, bandleader |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Years active | 1946—1960s |
| Labels | Specialty,Aladdin, others |
Jimmy Liggins (bornJames L. Elliott; October 14, 1918 – July 21, 1983)[1][2] was an AmericanR&B guitarist and bandleader. His brother was the more commercially successful R&B/blues pianist,Joe Liggins.[3]
The son of Harriett and Elijah Elliott, he was born in Newby,Oklahoma, United States,[4] and adopted his stepfather's surname, Liggins, as a child.[1] He moved with his family to San Diego, California in 1932, and graduated fromHoover High School. He fought under the name of Kid Zulu as a professionalboxer until age 18, when he began as a driver for his brotherJoe's band, the Honeydrippers.[5]
Liggins started his own recording career as a singer, guitarist, and leader of the Drops of Joy, onArt Rupe'sSpecialty label in 1947.[6] One of his early releases, "Cadillac Boogie" was a direct forerunner of "Rocket 88", itself often called the firstrock and rollrecord. Recordings such as "Tear Drop Blues" (1948) and, later, "I Ain't Drunk" (1954), featuring leading saxophone players such asMaxwell Davis, made him one of the most successful bandleaders in thejump blues period of the late 1940s and early 1950s.[7]
Liggins left Specialty in 1954, recording "I Ain't Drunk" (1954), later covered byAlbert Collins, atAladdin, before fading from the scene. He began his own management and record company Duplex Records in 1958.[5] His wild stage presence and manic delivery influencedLittle Richard,Chuck Berry,Bill Haley andElvis Presley.[6]
Liggins died in July 1983, at the age of 64, inDurham, North Carolina.[4]
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