Biography
James Thomas Ramey, known as Baby Huey, was born on August 17, 1944, in Richmond, Indiana, to parents Robert and Ernestine Ramey. Afflicted by a glandular disorder that caused his weight to reach around 350 pounds in high school and later exceed 400 pounds, he adopted his stage name from a cartoon duckling character, using his imposing size to enhance his commanding stage presence. He began performing in high school with a band called the Vets and moved to Chicago at age 19, where he sang with local groups before forming Baby Huey & the Babysitters in 1963 with organist/trumpeter Melvyn 'Deacon' Jones and guitarist Johnny Ross.
Fun Facts
- Baby Huey & the Babysitters toured to Paris after being spotted by a Rothschild family member, performing at a family ball and gaining a Vogue magazine feature.
- After Huey's death, the Babysitters briefly continued with teenage Chaka Khan as lead singer before she joined Rufus.
- Ramey's freestyle rhymes during performances were described by bandmates as similar to later hip-hop rap styles, predating the genre.
- While pouring cereal for breakfast, Ramey's drug kit once fell out of the box, as recounted by Melvyn Jones.
Associated Acts
- Baby Huey & The Babysitters
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Sly & the Family Stone - stylistic influence on band's shift to psychedelic soul (live performances and visual style) [late 1960s]
Key Collaborators
- Melvyn 'Deacon' Jones - organist/trumpeter and co-founder of Baby Huey & the Babysitters (singles like 'Beg Me', 'Monkey Man'; album The Baby Huey Story) [1963-1970]
- Johnny Ross - guitarist and co-founder of Baby Huey & the Babysitters (early singles and live performances) [1963-late 1960s]
- Curtis Mayfield - producer and label head at Curtom Records; signed Huey and produced solo album (The Baby Huey Story: The Living Legend (1971)) [1969-1970]
- Donny Hathaway - Curtom arranger who recommended the band to Curtis Mayfield (audition leading to Curtom signing)
Artists Influenced
- A Tribe Called Quest - sampled 'Hard Times' in hip-hop tracks ('Bonita Applebum (12" Etc. Spirit Mix)' from People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm)
- Ghostface Killah - sampled album tracks in hip-hop ('Buck 50' from Supreme Clientele)
- Biz Markie - sampled album in hip-hop production ('The Dragon' from The Biz Never Sleeps)
- John Legend and the Roots - covered 'Hard Times' (Wake Up! album)
Connection Network
External Links
Tags: #funk, #rock, #soul
References
Heard on WWOZ
Baby Huey has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.