Little Mack Simmons
Encyclopedia
Little Mack Simmons was an African American
, Chicago blues
harmonica
player, singer and songwriter
.
, Arkansas
. In his youth he befriended James Cotton
, and they grew up learning to play the harmonica. Simmons relocated to St. Louis
, Missouri
, at the age of 18 and worked on the railroad
. At this time Simmons made his stage debut with Robert Nighthawk
.
In 1954 he moved again to Chicago
, put together his own backing band
, and had a five year residency at Cadillac Baby's. He commenced recording
in 1959, issuing records
on a number of labels
including Chess
.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s Simmons recorded several more obscure singles
, often simply billed as Little Mack (or Mac). Simmons went on to provide the opportunity for others talents to be seen. He owned and managed Chicago's Zodiac Lounge from the mid to late 1960s. In addition, he owned a recording studio
and recorded on his own labels, PM Records and Simmons Records. Simmons left the music industry at that time for the ministry, and was rarely heard in 30 years, notwithstanding an album
he recorded in 1975 in Paris
, France
.
His return to blues music arrived with High & Lonesome (1995), which was an early success for St. George Records
, an independent record label
. Simmons' energetic style, accompanied by Studebaker John
, belied his years. Come Back to Me Baby (1996), with featured sidemen
John Primer
, Willie Kent
and Jake Dawson (guitarist
) was also well received.
Simmons died in October 2000, of colon cancer
, in his adopted hometown of Chicago, at the age of 67.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, Chicago blues
Chicago blues
The Chicago blues is a form of blues music that developed in Chicago, Illinois, by taking the basic acoustic guitar and harmonica-based Delta blues, making the harmonica louder with a microphone and an instrument amplifier, and adding electrically amplified guitar, amplified bass guitar, drums,...
harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
player, singer and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
.
Biography
Malcolm Simmons was born in TwistTwist, Arkansas
Twist is an unincorporated community in Cross County, Arkansas, USA.Twist was mentioned in the B.B. King song "Lucille" as the location of a club where he once played. It was at this club in Twist where a woman named Lucille started a fight which set the place on fire...
, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. In his youth he befriended James Cotton
James Cotton
James Cotton is an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, who has performed and recorded with many of the great blues artists of his time as well as with his own band.-Career:...
, and they grew up learning to play the harmonica. Simmons relocated to St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, at the age of 18 and worked on the railroad
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
. At this time Simmons made his stage debut with Robert Nighthawk
Robert Lee McCollum
Robert Lee McCollum was an American blues musician, who played and recorded under the pseudonyms Robert Lee McCoy and Robert Nighthawk.-Robert Lee McCoy:...
.
In 1954 he moved again to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, put together his own backing band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
, and had a five year residency at Cadillac Baby's. He commenced recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
in 1959, issuing records
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
on a number of labels
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
including Chess
Chess Records
Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It specialized in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases....
.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s Simmons recorded several more obscure singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, often simply billed as Little Mack (or Mac). Simmons went on to provide the opportunity for others talents to be seen. He owned and managed Chicago's Zodiac Lounge from the mid to late 1960s. In addition, he owned a recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
and recorded on his own labels, PM Records and Simmons Records. Simmons left the music industry at that time for the ministry, and was rarely heard in 30 years, notwithstanding an album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
he recorded in 1975 in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
His return to blues music arrived with High & Lonesome (1995), which was an early success for St. George Records
St. George Records
St. George Records is a blues and rockabilly record label setup in 1983 by George Paulus.The label first started reissuing early post-war blues recordings by artists like Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Johnny Young, Sleepy John Estes...
, an independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
. Simmons' energetic style, accompanied by Studebaker John
Studebaker John
John Grimaldi, better known by his stage name Studebaker John is an American blues guitarist and harmonica player. He is a representative of the Chicago blues style.-Biography:...
, belied his years. Come Back to Me Baby (1996), with featured sidemen
Sideman
A sideman is a professional musician who is hired to perform or record with a group of which he or she is not a regular member. They often tour with solo acts as well as bands and jazz ensembles. Sidemen are generally required to be adaptable to many different styles of music, and so able to fit...
John Primer
John Primer
John Primer is an American Chicago blues and electric blues singer and guitarist.-Biography:He played guitar at Theresa's, a club in Chicago, between 1974 and 1980. He was influenced by Muddy Waters' former sideman, Sammy Lawhorn, who taught him to play slide guitar...
, Willie Kent
Willie Kent
Willie Kent was an American blues singer, bassist and songwriter.-Career:Kent was born in Inverness, Sunflower County, Mississippi....
and Jake Dawson (guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
) was also well received.
Simmons died in October 2000, of colon cancer
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer caused by uncontrolled cell growth , in the colon, rectum, or vermiform appendix. Colorectal cancer is clinically distinct from anal cancer, which affects the anus....
, in his adopted hometown of Chicago, at the age of 67.
Albums
- Blue Lights, 1975 (Black & Blue RecordsBlack & Blue RecordsBlack & Blue Records is a French record label specializing in swing jazz and blues.Black & Blue was founded in 1968, and in its early years concentrated on reissuing jazz that had been previously released on American labels. The label recorded Blues and Jazz musicians both in America and France and...
, FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) - Love Will Make a Way Somehow, 1978 (Simmons Records)
- High & Lonesome, 1995 (St. George RecordsSt. George RecordsSt. George Records is a blues and rockabilly record label setup in 1983 by George Paulus.The label first started reissuing early post-war blues recordings by artists like Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Johnny Young, Sleepy John Estes...
) - Come Back to Me Baby, 1996 (Wolf Records)
- Little Mack is Back, 1997 (Electro-Fi)
- Somewhere On Down the Line, 1998 (Electro-Fi)
- The Best of Little Mack Simmons, 2001 (Electro-Fi)
Singles
- "Come Back To Me Baby"
- "Jumpin' At Cadillac" with James CottonJames CottonJames Cotton is an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, who has performed and recorded with many of the great blues artists of his time as well as with his own band.-Career:...
- "Times Gettin' Tougher"
- "You Mistreated Me Baby"
- "I Need Love"
- "I Play For Keeps"
- "I'm Happy Now"
- "Don't Leave Me Now"
- "When The Lord Stands By"
- "Inflation Blues"