Vernon Guy

Vernon Guy (March 21, 1945 – September 10, 1998) was an American R&B vocalist based in St. Louis. Early in his career he toured with bandleader Ike Turner in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Guy released a few solo records on Turner's labels before forming the Sharpees with Benny Sharp in the mid 1960s. He later performed with musicians Bennie Smith and Johnnie Johnson.

Life and career Guy was born in St. Louis on March 21, 1945. He began singing gospel music with his brother in the vocal group the Seven Gospel Singers. Inspired by singer Frankie Lymon, Guy began singing secular music and the group was renamed the Cool Sounds. The Cool sounds competed in local talent shows. They won Dave Dixon's "Shower of Stars," sponsored by KATZ at Kiel Auditorium. The prize was supposed to be a recording session, but that didn't materialize. The group continued performing, now at local clubs in St. Louis and East St. Louis. They had gigs at the Manhattan Club, the Riviera, the Dynaflow and the Red Top with the bands of musicians Albert King, Little Milton, and Oliver Sain. The revue toured at a grueling pace. He was getting fed up with doing roadie work, and while in Fort Smith, Arkansas for a gig he discovered that he was owed royalties. He left the revue without informing Turner and returned to St. Louis.

Weary of the touring and in love with a girl back home, Guy left the revue in 1964. In St. Louis, he returned to Benny Sharp, forming the Sharpees. 1963: "The Hunter And The Rabbit" / "My Life Time Love" (Sonja 2002) 1964: "Anything - To Make It With You" / "Walking Down The Isle" (Sonja 2007) 1980: "My Brand New Woman" / "Ooh Vernon" (Electric Land 811020)

Albums

Ike & Tina Turner

1964: Ike & Tina Turner Revue Live (Kent Records) 1965: Live! The Ike & Tina Turner Show (Warner Bros. Records) 2004: The Bad Man: Rare & Unreissued Ike Turner Produced Recordings 1962-1965 (Night Train International) 2012: Ike Turner Studio Productions: New Orleans and Los Angeles 1963–1965 (Ace Records)

Other appearances

1999: West Coast Modern Blues 1960'''s (P-Vine Records) 2013: New Breed Blues With Black Popcorn'' (Kent Dance)