Garage band rhythm and blues by The Memphis Blazers band

History

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L-R: Lee Baker, Dickie Cooper
~1964~

The Memphis Blazers were rockin' long before the explosion of the garage band era. Formed in 1961, their sound was based on Memphis soul music. Using a Hammond organ, guitar, bass, drums, horns, and vocalists, this band played Rhythm & Blues and rock and roll. The band was known for its driving rhythm section, its "blue-eyed soul" lead vocalist, and tight vocal harmonies.

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     "The Blazers had horns, three rhythm pieces and vocalists. We played all the Memphis (stuff) plus a lot of James Brown.
    ...We were playing real hard blues and rock and roll.
    ...We could have worked every night if we'd wanted to."

-Lee Baker

Excerpt from Robert Gordon's acclaimed book,
"It Came From Memphis" - Used by permission.