Marcus Van Story

Marcus Van Story (born May 3, 1920 in Corinth , Mississippi , † April 24, 1992 in Memphis , Tennessee ) was an American rockabilly musician . Van Story worked as a bass player for Sun Records in the 1950s .

Life

Not much is known about Van Story's early life. As early as the early 1950s, he was working as a country musician in the area of Memphis , Tennessee . In 1953 and 1954 he was a member of Joe Manuels Saturday Night Jamboree , which was broadcast live from Memphis via KWEM on Saturday evenings. Van Story could also be heard on the station's everyday program, which also featured Johnny Cash , Elvis Presley , BB King and many other well-known musicians in the city. In 1954 and 1955, Van Story played bass on Charlie Feathers ' first recordings for Sun Records. Van Story played with Feathers throughout his life. In these early years, Sun Studios owner Sam Phillips also used him as a session musician for other artists, including Maggie Sue Wimberley and the Miller Sisters .

In 1956 Warren Smith came to Sun and had his first success there with rock and roll Ruby . While Smith was accompanied by the Snearly Ranch Boys on this first session , he was supported by a completely new band, including Van Story, on his next recordings. Van Story not only became Smith's new bass player, but also his manager and toured with him. In 1957, however, Van Story dropped out of Smith's band and was replaced by Will Hopson.

In the next few years, Van Story continued to be active as a country and rockabilly musician. In the 1970s, Van Story was increasingly perceived as a rockabilly musician again through the revival. In 1974 he played an album for Barrelhouse Records on which he was accompanied by Malcolm Yelvington , Charlie Feathers and his son Bubba. In return, Van Story can be heard on Feathers' 1979 barrelhouse album That Rock-A-Billy Cat as bassist. A year earlier he had attended a session with old Sun musicians accompanying Vern Pullens and Eddie Bond .

In 1986 Van Story was a founding member of the Sun Rhythm Section , a supergroup of Sun artists who recorded albums and toured the United States and Europe. In addition to Van Story, Sonny Burgess , Jerry Lee "Smoochy" Smith, Jimmy Van Eaton , Stan Kesler , Paul Burlison and DJ Fontana also belonged to this band. In this group he also showed his talent as a comedian, guitarist and harmonica player.

Van Story made his last recordings in 1991. He died in 1992.

Discography

Singles

year	title	Label #
	Three Long Years / I'm So Afraid (with Jerry Fox)	Zone Z-1073
1974	Get With It Way Down Blues (Malcolm Yelvington) Goodbye Marie (Malcolm Yelvington) unknown	Shelby County 001

Albums

1974: Drinkin 'Wine Spo-Dee-Oh-Dee! (Barrelhouse BH-011)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Story, Marcus Van
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American musician
DATE OF BIRTH	May 3, 1920
PLACE OF BIRTH	Corinth , Mississippi
DATE OF DEATH	April 24, 1992
Place of death	Memphis , Tennessee