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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZLENOIR, J. B.(b 5 March '29, Monticello MS; d 29 April '67, Urbana IL) Blues singer, also guitar, harmonica. Given names were initials only; sometimes aka J. B. Lenore. Parents both played guitar; worked on his father's farm, then through South from early '40s, to Chicago by '49; worked outside music but club gigs with Muddy Waters, others. Recorded for Chess from '51, Checker '55--8, other labels incl. Decca, Blue Horizon '60, Columbia '65; toured Europe '65--6 (concert tracks on Fontana), recorded for Polydor in Illinois '66. His legend and influence were not matched by commercial success; he died of a heart attack following injury in a car crash. CD compilations incl. 1951--1958 on New Rose, Vietnam Blues '65--6 on Evidence (combining L&R albums Alabama Blues and Down In Mississippi, with Willie Dixon). |