Son Seals
Encyclopedia
Frank "Son" Seals was an American
electric blues
guitarist
and singer.
, Arkansas
where his father, Jim "Son" Seals, owned a small juke joint
. He began performing professionally by the age of 13, first as a drummer
with Robert Nighthawk, and later as a guitarist. At age 16, he began to play at the T-99, a local upper echelon club, with Walter Jefferson, “Little Walter”, who was his brother in law. At the T-99, he played with many other musicians, such as Albert King
, Rufus Thomas
, Bobby Bland
, Junior Parker
, and Rosco Gordon
. Their varying styles contributed to the development of Seals' own playing techniques. While playing at the T-99, he was also introduced to country
-western
music by Jimmy Grubbs, who would ask Seals to gig with his group every now and then on both drums and guitar. At 19 years old, he formed his own band to fill in at a local club in Osceola called the Rebel Club. Shortly thereafter, a man from Little Rock, Arkansas
came to find “Little Walter” for a gig at his club, but when he turned it down the offer went to Seals. The band members were “Old man Horse” (Johnny Moore) on piano, Alvin Goodberry on either drums, guitar, bass, or piano, “Little Bob” (Robinson) on vocals, and Walter Lee “Skinny Dynamo” Harris on piano. The band’s name was “Son Seals and the Upsetters.”
In 1971, Seals moved to Chicago
. His career took off after he was discovered by Bruce Iglauer
of Alligator Records
at the 'Flamingo Club' in Chicago's South Side. His debut album
, The Son Seals Blues Band, was released in 1973. The album included "Your Love Is Like a Cancer" and "Hot Sauce". Seals followed up with 1976's Midnight Son and 1978's Live and Burning. He continued releasing albums throughout the next two decades, all but one on Alligator Records. These included Chicago Fire (1980), Bad Axe (1984), Living in the Danger Zone (1991), Nothing But the Truth and Live-Spontaneous Combustion (1996). He received the W.C. Handy Award in 1985, 1987, and 2001.
Author Andrew Vachss
was a friend of Seals, and used his influence to promote Seals' music. Vachss gave Seals several cameo appearance
s in his novel
s and co-wrote songs with him for his 2000 album, Lettin' Go. Vachss dedicated the novel Mask Market
to Seals' memory.
In 2002, Seals was featured on the Bo Diddley
tribute album, Hey Bo Diddley - A Tribute!, performing the song "My Story" (aka "Story of Bo Diddley").
Seals had a number of problems in his life. He survived all but one of his fourteen sibling
s; and he was shot in the jaw by his wife. Also, in 1999 part of his left leg was amputated
, due to complications from diabetes
. He lost belongings in a fire that destroyed his home while he was away performing live, and several of his prized guitars were stolen from his home. After his health problems Seals used a number of different accompanying bands, such as James Soleberg's, Jimmy Vivino's, and Big Jim Kohler's, while on the road.
The band Phish
performed Seal's song "Funky Bitch", and brought him on stage on multiple occasions.
Seals died in 2004, at the age of 62, from complications of diabetes
; he was survived by his sister and fourteen children.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
electric blues
Electric blues
Electric blues is a type of blues music distinguished by the amplification of the guitar, bass guitar, drums, and often the harmonica. Pioneered in the 1930s, it emerged as a genre in Chicago in the 1940s. It was taken up in many areas of America leading to the development of regional subgenres...
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...
and singer.
Career
He was born in OsceolaOsceola, Arkansas
-Notable natives & residents:* Bill Alexander, U.S. Representative from First Congressional District, 1969–1993* David Barrett, New York Jets cornerback* Maurice Carthon, former NFL and USFL player and NFL assistant coach...
, 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...
where his father, Jim "Son" Seals, owned a small juke joint
Juke joint
Juke joint is the vernacular term for an informal establishment featuring music, dancing, gambling, and drinking, primarily operated by African American people in the southeastern United States. The term "juke" is believed to derive from the Gullah word joog, meaning rowdy or disorderly...
. He began performing professionally by the age of 13, first as a drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
with Robert Nighthawk, and later as a guitarist. At age 16, he began to play at the T-99, a local upper echelon club, with Walter Jefferson, “Little Walter”, who was his brother in law. At the T-99, he played with many other musicians, such as Albert King
Albert King
Albert King was an American blues guitarist and singer, and a major influence in the world of blues guitar playing.-Career:...
, Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas, Jr. was an American rhythm and blues, funk and soul singer and comedian fromMemphis, Tennessee, who recorded on Sun Records in the...
, Bobby Bland
Bobby Bland
Robert Calvin Bland better known as Bobby "Blue" Bland, is an American singer of blues and soul. He is an original member of the Beale Streeters, and is sometimes referred to as the "Lion of the Blues"...
, Junior Parker
Junior Parker
Junior Parker was an American Memphis blues singer and musician. He is best remembered for his unique voice which has been described as "honeyed," and "velvet-smooth"...
, and Rosco Gordon
Rosco Gordon
Rosco Gordon was an American blues singer and songwriter. He is best known for his 1952 #1 R&B hit single, "Booted", and two #2 singles "No More Doggin'" and "Just a Little Bit" .-Biography:...
. Their varying styles contributed to the development of Seals' own playing techniques. While playing at the T-99, he was also introduced to country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
-western
Western music (North America)
Western music originated as a form of American folk music. Originally composed by and about the people who settled and worked throughout the Western United States and Western Canada. Directly related musically to old English, Scottish, and Irish folk ballads, Western music celebrates the life of...
music by Jimmy Grubbs, who would ask Seals to gig with his group every now and then on both drums and guitar. At 19 years old, he formed his own band to fill in at a local club in Osceola called the Rebel Club. Shortly thereafter, a man from Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
came to find “Little Walter” for a gig at his club, but when he turned it down the offer went to Seals. The band members were “Old man Horse” (Johnny Moore) on piano, Alvin Goodberry on either drums, guitar, bass, or piano, “Little Bob” (Robinson) on vocals, and Walter Lee “Skinny Dynamo” Harris on piano. The band’s name was “Son Seals and the Upsetters.”
In 1971, Seals moved 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...
. His career took off after he was discovered by Bruce Iglauer
Bruce Iglauer
Bruce Iglauer is the American founder and head of the independent blues record label Alligator Records in Chicago.Iglauer was born in Ann Arbor and grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Cincinnati, Ohio...
of Alligator Records
Alligator Records
Alligator Records is a Chicago-based independent blues record label founded by Bruce Iglauer in 1971.Iglauer started the label with his own savings to record and produce his favorite band Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, whom his employer, Bob Koester of Delmark Records, declined to record...
at the 'Flamingo Club' in Chicago's South Side. His debut 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...
, The Son Seals Blues Band, was released in 1973. The album included "Your Love Is Like a Cancer" and "Hot Sauce". Seals followed up with 1976's Midnight Son and 1978's Live and Burning. He continued releasing albums throughout the next two decades, all but one on Alligator Records. These included Chicago Fire (1980), Bad Axe (1984), Living in the Danger Zone (1991), Nothing But the Truth and Live-Spontaneous Combustion (1996). He received the W.C. Handy Award in 1985, 1987, and 2001.
Author Andrew Vachss
Andrew Vachss
Andrew Henry Vachss is an American crime fiction author, child protection consultant, and attorney exclusively representing children and youths...
was a friend of Seals, and used his influence to promote Seals' music. Vachss gave Seals several cameo appearance
Cameo appearance
A cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
s in his novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
s and co-wrote songs with him for his 2000 album, Lettin' Go. Vachss dedicated the novel Mask Market
Burke (character)
Burke is the protagonist of the Burke Series by Andrew Vachss.He is a career criminal, an orphan raised by the State who was abused throughout his childhood in state institutions and foster homes. Burke lives in New York City, always on the edges of society...
to Seals' memory.
In 2002, Seals was featured on the Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley
Ellas Otha Bates , known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter , and inventor...
tribute album, Hey Bo Diddley - A Tribute!, performing the song "My Story" (aka "Story of Bo Diddley").
Seals had a number of problems in his life. He survived all but one of his fourteen sibling
Sibling
Siblings are people who share at least one parent. A male sibling is called a brother; and a female sibling is called a sister. In most societies throughout the world, siblings usually grow up together and spend a good deal of their childhood socializing with one another...
s; and he was shot in the jaw by his wife. Also, in 1999 part of his left leg was amputated
Amputation
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for...
, due to complications from diabetes
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced...
. He lost belongings in a fire that destroyed his home while he was away performing live, and several of his prized guitars were stolen from his home. After his health problems Seals used a number of different accompanying bands, such as James Soleberg's, Jimmy Vivino's, and Big Jim Kohler's, while on the road.
The band Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
performed Seal's song "Funky Bitch", and brought him on stage on multiple occasions.
Seals died in 2004, at the age of 62, from complications of diabetes
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced...
; he was survived by his sister and fourteen children.
Discography
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | The Son Seals Blues Band The Son Seals Blues Band (album) The Son Seals Blues Band is the 1973 debut album by Son Seals, released by Alligator Records.It was produced by Son Seals and Bruce Iglauer and released on CD in 1993.-Track listing:#"Mother-InLaw Blues" – 3:12#"Sitting At My Window" – 4:30... |
Alligator |
| 1976 | Midnight Son Midnight Son (album) Midnight Son is the second studio album released by Son Seals. It was produced by Son Seals, Bruce Iglauer, and Richard McLeese and released by Alligator Records in 1976.-Track listing:#"I Believe" – 4:15#"No, No Baby" – 4:30... |
Alligator |
| 1978 | Live And Burning Live And Burning (album) Live And Burning is the third album, and first live album from Son Seals. It was produced by Son Seals, Bruce Iglauer, and Richard McLeese and released by Alligator Records in 1978.-Track listing:#"I Can't Hold Out" – 4:14#"Blue Shadows Falling" – 6:07... |
Alligator |
| 1980 | Chicago Fire Chicago Fire (album) Chicago Fire is the third studio album released by Son Seals. It was produced by Son Seals and Bruce Iglauer. It was released by Alligator Records in 1980.-Track listing:#"Buzzard Luck" – 5:08#"I'm Not Tired" – 3:39... |
Alligator |
| 1984 | Bad Axe Bad Axe (album) Bad Axe is the fourth studio album by Son Seals. It was originally released by Alligator Records in 1984.It was produced by Son Seals and Bruce Iglauer.-Track listing:#"Don't Pick Me For Your Fool" – 3:46#"Going Home" – 3:12... |
Alligator |
| 1991 | Living In The Danger Zone Living In The Danger Zone (album) Living In The Danger Zone is the fifth studio album by Son Seals. It was originally released by Alligator Records in 1991.It was produced by Son Seals and Bruce Iglauer.-Track listing:#"Frigidaire Woman" – 5:07... |
Alligator |
| 1994 | Nothing But The Truth | Alligator |
| 1996 | Live - Spontaneous Combustion Live - Spontaneous Combustion (album) Live – Spontaneous Combustion was the second live album released by Son Seals.It was recorded June 20–22, 1996 at Buddy Guy's Legends, Chicago, IL, and was produced by Son Seals and Bruce Iglauer.-Track listing:... |
Alligator |
| 2000 | Lettin' Go Lettin' Go (album) 2000's Lettin' Go was the seventh studio album released by Son Seals.It was his debut on the Telarc label and his last studio album before his death in 2004.It was produced by Son Seals and Jimmy Vivino.-Track listing:... |
Telarc |
| 2002 | Deluxe Edition Deluxe Edition (album) Deluxe Edition is a 2002 compilation album of recordings by Son Seals for Alligator Records.It was produced by Son Seals and Bruce Iglauer .-Track listing:... |
Alligator |