Lou Bond

Biography

Lou Bond, born Ronald Edward Lewis in Chicago in 1945, was an American soul singer-songwriter whose career was marked by both innovation and adversity[7]. He emerged in the Memphis music scene in the late 1960s and early 1970s, eventually recording for Stax Records’ subsidiary We Produce. Bond’s self-titled album, released in 1974, stood apart from the typical Stax sound, blending classic soul with elements of folk, jazz, country, and orchestral arrangements[3][5]. His music was deeply personal and socially conscious, addressing themes of injustice, war, and hope with a magnetic vocal delivery and acoustic guitar as his primary instrument[1][10].

Bond’s musical style defied easy categorization, earning him a reputation as a 'universal soul' artist. He was backed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s string section and the Horns of South Memphis on his album, creating a soundscape that was alternately spare and lush[8]. Despite his talent, Bond struggled with the pressures of the music industry and personal hardships, including childhood abuse and mental health challenges, which limited his commercial success[1]. He continued performing in Memphis coffee shops into his later years, touching the lives of those who knew him personally.

Although his work was largely overlooked during his lifetime, Bond’s legacy has grown posthumously. His music has been rediscovered and reissued, notably by Light In the Attic Records in 2010, and has influenced contemporary artists such as Outkast and Mary J. Blige, who sampled his song 'To The Establishment.' Bond passed away in 2013, but his singular blend of soul and activism continues to resonate with new generations[10].

Fun Facts

• Lou Bond’s only album was reissued decades later by Light In the Attic Records, sparking renewed interest in his work[10].
• He often performed in Memphis coffee shops and was known for riding his bicycle around midtown Memphis[1].
• Bond’s lyrics were politically conscious and branded him a 'utopian jazzman,' challenging societal issues like war and government corruption[3][8].
• He was on disability for mental disorders, which impacted his career but did not diminish his musical output[1].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Stax Records artists (Isaac Hayes, Marvin Gaye) - Bond cited country and western influences above gospel, but his sound drew comparisons to Stax legends and Marvin Gaye for their socially conscious soul. (Lou Bond (1974)) [1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Memphis Symphony Orchestra string section - Provided orchestral backing on his self-titled album. (Lou Bond (1974)) [1974]
• The Horns of South Memphis - Contributed horn arrangements to his album. (Lou Bond (1974)) [1974]

Artists Influenced

• Outkast - Sampled 'To The Establishment' in their music. (Outkast tracks sampling Lou Bond) [2000s]
• Mary J. Blige - Sampled 'To The Establishment' in her work. (Mary J. Blige tracks sampling Lou Bond) [2000s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Let Me Into Your Life (Lou Bond)
2. Why Must Our Eyes Always Be Turned Backwards (Lou Bond)
3. To The Establishment (Lou Bond)
4. To the Establishment (Lou Bond)
5. Lucky Me (Lou Bond)
6. Come On Snob (Lou Bond)
7. That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be (Lou Bond)
8. To the Establishment (Lou Bond)
9. To the Establishment (Lou Bond)
10. Let Me Into Your life (Lou Bond)

External Links

• Spotify