Big John Greer
Big John Greer (* 21st November 1923 in Hot Springs , Arkansas ; † 12. May 1972 in Hot Springs , Arkansas) was an American jazz - and rhythm-and-blues - tenor saxophonist and singer.
Live and act
Big John Greer was best known for his recordings, which were made in 1949 and 1955. Greer was a friend of Henry Glover ; they studied together and Glover later played in Lucky Millinder's band when Bull Moose Jackson left the group in 1948 for a solo career. Glover advised the band leader to get Greer to replace Jackson. Greer then worked on Millinder's recordings until 1950, which were created for RCA . Greer stayed with RCA and played with Wynonie Harris and Bull Moose Jackson. Greer's first solo recordings as a vocalist appeared in 1948 on the small label Sittin 'In With , and a year later with Victor. In 1952 he had his only hit with his ballad "Got You on My Mind". In 1954 he switched to the RCA sub-label Groove Records , for which he recorded "Bottle It Up and Go" and "Come Back Maybellene", which received little attention. Greer could not achieve any more hits, not even with his recordings, which he recorded for King Records in 1955/56 . In 1957 he returned to his hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he died of alcoholism at the age of 48.
Web links
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Greer, Big John |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American jazz and rhythm and blues tenor saxophonist and singer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 21, 1923 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Hot Springs , Arkansas |
| DATE OF DEATH | May 12, 1972 |
| Place of death | Hot Springs , Arkansas |