Lefty Bates

Biography He was born William H. Bates in Leighton, Alabama. He acquired his nickname from his left-handed guitar playing. In 1936, they relocated to Chicago, recorded for Decca Records and played in clubs. After serving in the military in World War II, Bates joined the Aristo-Kats, who recorded for RCA Victor.

From 1955, Bates worked in a similar manner with another Chicago-based record label, Club 51,

In 1959, Bates played with Reed on his recording of "Baby What You Want Me to Do". In March 1960, he was part of the backing trio for John Lee Hooker on his album Travelin'. In 1961, he performed on Hooker's The Folk Lore of John Lee Hooker and with Jimmy Reed on the album Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall and played on Reed's recording of "Big Boss Man".

Bates died of arteriosclerosis in Chicago in April 2007, aged 87.

Discography

With John Lee Hooker Travelin' (Vee-Jay, 1960) The Folk Lore of John Lee Hooker (Vee-Jay, 1961) 'With Jimmy Reed Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall (Vee-Jay, 1961) Jimmy Reed Plays 12 String Guitar Blues (Vee-Jay, 1963) The New Jimmy Reed Album (BluesWay, 1967) Soulin' (BluesWay, 1967) Big Boss Man (BluesWay, 1968)