BUDDY ACE

Biography

Buddy Ace, born Jimmy Lee Land on November 11, 1936, in Jasper, Texas, was a celebrated American blues and soul singer known as 'The Silver Fox of the Blues.' Raised in Baytown near Houston, Ace demonstrated musical talent from an early age, performing with his family and later joining a gospel quartet in high school alongside future soul star Joe Tex. His early musical influences included Ivory Joe Hunter and Big Joe Turner, which helped shape his distinctive blend of soul, blues, and R&B.[1][2][3]

Ace's professional career began in earnest in 1955 when he signed with Duke Records, adopting the stage name 'Buddy Ace' in a move orchestrated by label owner Don Robey to capitalize on the legacy of the late Johnny Ace. Throughout the late 1950s and 1960s, Ace released a string of singles, with his biggest hits being 'Nothing in the World Can Hurt Me (Except You)' and 'Hold On (To This Old Fool),' both charting on Billboard's R&B charts. He toured with notable acts such as Bobby 'Blue' Bland and Junior Parker, further cementing his reputation in the blues circuit. In the 1970s, Ace relocated to California, performing regularly in clubs across Los Angeles, Oakland, and Sacramento. His hair turned white in his forties, earning him the enduring nickname 'The Silver Fox.'[1][2][3]

Despite a decline in commercial success after the 1960s, Ace remained a respected figure in the soul blues scene, recording albums like 'Don't Hurt No More' and 'Silver Fox' in the 1990s. He continued performing until his death from a heart attack on December 26, 1994, while onstage in Waco, Texas. Buddy Ace's legacy endures through his emotive vocal style and his contributions to the Texas blues and soul tradition.[1][2][3]

Fun Facts

• Buddy Ace was not related to Johnny Ace, despite sharing a stage name and label history; the connection was a marketing decision by Duke Records.[4]
• His nickname 'The Silver Fox of the Blues' came from his prematurely white hair and beard, which became his signature look in his forties.[1][2][3]
• Ace died of a heart attack while performing onstage in Waco, Texas, on December 26, 1994, echoing the tragic onstage death of Johnny Ace forty years earlier.[1][2][4]
• He was also known as 'The Root Doctor,' after one of his popular songs.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Ivory Joe Hunter - Early stylistic influence; shaped Ace's approach to blues and soul vocals. (General influence, not specific collaborations.) [1940s-1950s]
• Big Joe Turner - Influenced Ace's blues phrasing and performance style. (General influence, not specific collaborations.) [1940s-1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Joe Tex - Sang together in a gospel quartet during high school. (High school gospel performances.) [Early 1950s]
• Bobby 'Blue' Bland - Toured together in blues and R&B circuits. (Touring bands, live performances.) [1950s]
• Junior Parker - Toured together in blues and R&B circuits. (Touring bands, live performances.) [1950s]
• Leon Haywood - Producer who helped relaunch Ace's recording career in the 1990s. (Albums: 'Don't Hurt No More', 'Silver Fox', 'From Me to You'.) [1990s]

Artists Influenced

• Regional Texas soul and blues musicians - Ace's emotive style and club performances influenced younger artists in the Texas blues scene. (General influence, no specific proteges documented.) [1970s-1990s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Love of Mine (Don't Hurt No More)
2. Chockin' Kind (Don't Hurt No More)
3. Don't Hurt No More (Don't Hurt No More)
4. Pouring Water on a Drowning Man (Don't Hurt No More)
5. Root Doctor (Don't Hurt No More)
6. Screaming Please (Authentic Oldies - Retro Vinyl Editions)
7. Ain't Nothing You Can Do (From Me to You, Bobby Bland)
8. True Love Money Can´t Buy (I Was a Mod Before You Were a Mod Vol. 9)
9. I Kicked the Habit (Don't Hurt No More)
10. She Ain't Givin' up No Love (Don't Hurt No More)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia