Robert Elem
Robert "Mojo" Elem (born January 22, 1928 in Itta Benna, Mississippi , † February 5, 1997 ) was an American blues musician . He played bass and guitar .
Life
Elem was born in Itta Bena, so he grew up in a fertile blues area. His first instrument was the guitar, and he learned it by watching guitarists like Robert Nighthawk and Ike Turner . At the age of 20 he came to Chicago, where he soon worked as a professional musician. He played rhythm guitar in Arthur "Big Boy" Spiers' band with harmonica player Lester Davenport . In 1956 he switched to the electric bass, which was then emerging in Chicago, if only to stand out from the many guitarists who were also looking for work in Chicago clubs. He formed a band with accordion players Earl Payton and Freddie King as guitarists. With him he played on King's first single for the El-Bee label in late 1956. After King's successes, he became a band leader and Elem stayed in his band for the next eight years. He also played often in clubs on Chicago's west side in the 1950s and 1960s, including with Magic Sam , Junior Wells , Shakey Jake Harris, Jimmy Dawkins and Luther Allison . He also played briefly in Otis Rush's band . As a band leader he only recorded a few albums, but was always a sought-after accompanist.
Discography
- 1978 Mojo Boogie - Storyville
- 1994 Mojo Boogie! - St. George
- 1997 Pink - MJ12
Web links
Robert Elem at Allmusic (English)
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Elem, Robert |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Elem, Mojo (nickname); Elem, Big Mojo (nickname) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American blues musician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | January 22, 1928 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Itta Benna, Mississippi , |
| DATE OF DEATH | February 5, 1997 |