lowell fulson

Biography

Lowell Fulson was born on March 31, 1921, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to parents of Choctaw and African American descent. He grew up around Ada, Oklahoma, where he was immersed in music from an early age, influenced by his grandfather’s violin playing and his uncles’ guitar skills. Fulson began performing in church and local clubs as a teenager, and by 1940, he joined veteran blues singer Alger 'Texas' Alexander for a brief tour. After serving in the military from 1943 to 1945, Fulson moved to Oakland, California, where he launched his recording career. His early hits, such as 'Cryin’ Blues' and 'Three O’Clock Blues,' established him as a leading figure in West Coast blues. Fulson’s innovative addition of a horn section to the standard electric blues combo helped define the 'uptown blues' sound, and his songs like 'Reconsider Baby' became blues standards, covered by artists like Elvis Presley and Eric Clapton. Over a career spanning more than five decades, Fulson recorded for labels including Swing Time, Chess, Kent, and Rounder, and remained a vital force in blues music, earning accolades such as induction into the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame. He died on March 6, 1999, near Seal Beach, California.

Fun Facts

• Lowell Fulson recorded under several alternate spellings of his name, including Lowell Fullsom and Lowell Fulsom, for business reasons.
• He was known for his willingness to experiment, even covering The Beatles' 'Why Don’t We Do It in the Road!' under the name Lowell Fulsom.
• Fulson’s song 'Reconsider Baby' was selected by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the '500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll'.
• He was inducted into both the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame in 1993.

Associated Acts

• Lowell Fulson and The Ful-Tones - eponymous, original

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Alger 'Texas' Alexander - early mentor and touring partner (Texas Alexander's touring band) [1940]
• Bob Wills - influenced by western swing style (western swing music exposure) [1930s-1940s]

Key Collaborators

• Martin Fulson - younger brother and frequent musical partner (early recordings and duets) [1940s-1950s]
• Ray Charles - played in Fulson's band early in his career (Fulson's touring band) [early 1940s]
• Stanley Turrentine - tenor saxophonist in Fulson's band (Fulson's touring band) [early 1940s]
• Ike Turner - guitarist in Fulson's band (Fulson's touring band) [1940s]
• King Curtis - tenor saxophonist in Fulson's band (Fulson's touring band) [1940s]

Artists Influenced

• B.B. King - Fulson helped launch King's career and wrote songs he recorded (B.B. King's early recordings) [1950s]
• Elvis Presley - recorded Fulson's 'Reconsider Baby' and other songs (Elvis Presley's blues covers) [1950s-1960s]
• Eric Clapton - covered Fulson's 'Reconsider Baby' (Clapton's blues albums) [1970s-1990s]
• Otis Redding - recorded songs written by Fulson (Otis Redding's blues recordings) [1960s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Reconsider Baby (Hung Down Head)
2. Low Society (Hung Down Head)
3. Back Home Blues (Everyday I Have the Blues)
4. Why Don't We Do It In The Road (My Baby)
5. Do Me Right (Hung Down Head)
6. Reconsider Baby (The Complete Chess Masters)
7. Trouble, Trouble (Hung Down Head)
8. I Still Love You Baby (Hung Down Head)
9. Reconsider Baby (Reconsider Baby)
10. Don't Leave Me Baby (Jump Blue: Rockin' The Jukes)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #blues, #classic-pop-and-rock, #electric-blues