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{{Short description|American singer (1936–2020)}}
{{Short description|American singer (1936–2020)}}
{{distinguish|Young Jeezy}}
{{distinguish|Young Jeezy}}
{{More footnotes|date=September 2021}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name = Young Jessie
| name = Young Jessie
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| years_active = 1953–2020
| years_active = 1953–2020
| label = [[Modern Records|Modern]], [[Atco Records|Atco]], [[Capitol Records|Capitol]], [[Mercury Records|Mercury]], Jazz Family
| label = [[Modern Records|Modern]], [[Atco Records|Atco]], [[Capitol Records|Capitol]], [[Mercury Records|Mercury]], Jazz Family
| associated_acts = [[The Flairs]]<br>[[The Coasters]]
| past_member_of = [[The Flairs]]<br>[[The Coasters]]
| website =
| website =
| current_members =
| current_members =
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==Early career==
==Early career==
In 1946, he moved with his family to [[Los Angeles]], where he began studying music, and formed a vocal group, The Debonaires, which also included [[Richard Berry (musician)|Richard Berry]].<ref name="LarkinGE">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-939-0|page=1281}}</ref> The group recorded Jessie's song, "I Had A Love", in 1953, and the single was released under the name of The Hollywood Blue Jays. They then renamed themselves as [[The Flairs]], and won a recording contract with [[Modern Records]].<ref name="LarkinGE"/>
In 1946, he moved with his family to [[Los Angeles]], where he began studying music, and formed a vocal group, The Debonaires, which also included [[Richard Berry (musician)|Richard Berry]].<ref name="LarkinGE">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-939-0|page=1281}}</ref> The group recorded Jessie's song, "I Had A Love", in 1953, and the single was released under the name of The Hollywood Blue Jays. They then renamed themselves as [[The Flairs]], and won a recording contract with [[Modern Records]].<ref name="LarkinGE"/>


However, in 1954, Jessie signed a solo contract with producers [[Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller]], and began recording as "Young Jessie".<ref name="LarkinGE"/> He said: "[The name] came about because I sounded like I was forty, like ancient for a boy of 17. I had this deep baritone voice and the [[Bihari brothers|Biharis]] wanted me to get close to the [[rock 'n' roll]] market. I could have called myself Obie Jessie but I didn't want people to think I was old."<ref name=blackcat>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockabilly.nl/references/messages/young_jessie.htm|title=Young Jessie |website=Rockabilly.nl|access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref>
However, in 1954, Jessie signed a solo contract with producers [[Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller]], and began recording as "Young Jessie".<ref name="LarkinGE"/> He said: "[The name] came about because I sounded like I was forty, like ancient for a boy of 17. I had this deep baritone voice and the [[Bihari brothers|Biharis]] wanted me to get close to the [[rock 'n' roll]] market. I could have called myself Obie Jessie but I didn't want people to think I was old."<ref name=blackcat>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockabilly.nl/references/messages/young_jessie.htm|title=Young Jessie |website=Rockabilly.nl|access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref>


==Recordings and performances==
==Recordings and performances==
In 1955, he wrote and recorded the single "Mary Lou", later covered by [[Ronnie Hawkins]] in 1959,<ref name="LarkinGE"/> [[Steve Miller Band]] in 1973, [[Bob Seger]] in 1976, [[Gene Clark]] in 1977, [[Frank Zappa]] in 1983 and [[The Oblivians]] in 1997. In 1956, he released "Hit Git And Split",<ref name="LarkinGE"/> co-written with [[Buck Ram]] and recorded in [[New York City]] with guitarist [[Mickey Baker]].<ref name=blackcat/> He also briefly recorded with [[The Coasters]] in 1957,<ref name="LarkinGE"/> (including harmony vocals on "Searchin'" and "Young Blood"), and appeared on records by The Crescendos<ref name="crescendos">{{cite book
In 1955, he wrote and recorded the single "Mary Lou", later covered by [[Ronnie Hawkins]] in 1959,<ref name="LarkinGE"/> [[Steve Miller Band]] in 1973, [[Bob Seger]] in 1976, [[Gene Clark]] in 1977, [[Frank Zappa]] in 1983 and [[The Oblivians]] in 1997. In 1956, he released "Hit, Git and Split",<ref name="LarkinGE"/> co-written with [[Buck Ram]] and recorded in [[New York City]] with guitarist [[Mickey Baker]].<ref name=blackcat/> He also briefly recorded with [[The Coasters]] in 1957,<ref name="LarkinGE"/> (including harmony vocals on "Searchin'" and "Young Blood"), and appeared on records by The Crescendos<ref name="crescendos">{{cite book
| first=& Galen Gart
| author1=Galen Hart
| last= Steve Propes
| author2= [[Steve Propes]]
| authorlink=
| authorlink=
| year=2001
| year=2001
Line 80: Line 80:
| isbn= 0-352-30020-5}}</ref>
| isbn= 0-352-30020-5}}</ref>


He also formed a jazz group, the Obie Jessie Combo, which played club dates, and in 1976 became musical director for [[Esther Phillips]]. In 1982, he toured in Europe and recorded jazz in Germany, and in 1983 performed at an "R & B Jamboree" in [[London]], where he reportedly "astonished the audience with a charismatic performance."<ref name=blackcat/>
He also formed a jazz group, the Obie Jessie Combo, which played club dates, and in 1976 became musical director for [[Esther Phillips]]. In 1982, he toured in Europe and recorded jazz in Germany, and in 1983 performed at an "R & B Jamboree" in [[London]], where he reportedly "astonished the audience with a charismatic performance."<ref name=blackcat/>


He also performed with [[Leon Hughes]]' group of [[The Coasters]]. As "Obie Jessie", he later released several jazz albums, including ''What Happened To Jr.'' (1995), ''Here's To Life'' (2002), and ''New Atmosphere'' (2009).<ref name=blackcat/> He also recorded with Atlanta-based saxophonist Bob Miles, and performed on the song "People The Time Has Come" with lyrics by Nadim Sulaiman Ali.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6890666|title=Bob Miles - Nubian Woman CD Album|website=Cduniverse.com|access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref>
He also performed with [[Leon Hughes]]' group of [[The Coasters]]. As "Obie Jessie", he later released several jazz albums, including ''What Happened To Jr.'' (1995), ''Here's To Life'' (2002), and ''New Atmosphere'' (2009).<ref name=blackcat/> He also recorded with Atlanta-based saxophonist Bob Miles, and performed on the song "People The Time Has Come" with lyrics by Nadim Sulaiman Ali.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6890666|title=Bob Miles - Nubian Woman CD Album|website=Cduniverse.com|access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
His younger brother [[DeWayne Jessie]] became an [[actor]],<ref name="blindlemon"/> and became well known as [[Otis Day]] in the film, ''[[National Lampoon's Animal House]]''. Two of Young Jessie's four children sang in a group called Wizdom in the 1980s.<ref name="wizdom">{{cite book
His younger brother [[DeWayne Jessie]] became an [[actor]],<ref name="blindlemon"/> and became well known as [[Otis Day and the Knights|Otis Day]] in the film, ''[[National Lampoon's Animal House]]''. Two of Young Jessie's four children sang in a group called Wizdom in the 1980s.<ref name="wizdom">{{cite book
| first=Bill
| first=Bill
| last=Millar
| last=Millar
Line 100: Line 100:
==Discography==
==Discography==
===Singles===
===Singles===
*"I Smell A Rat" / "Lonesome Desert" (Modern #921) (January 1954)
*"I Smell A Rat" / "Lonesome Desert" (Modern #921) (April 1954)
*"Mary Lou" / "Don't Think I Will" (Modern #961) (June 1955)
*"Mary Lou" / "Don't Think I Will" (Modern #961) (June 1955)
*"Nothing Seems Right" / "Do You Love Me" (Modern #963) (November 1955)
*"Nothing Seems Right" / "Do You Love Me" (Modern #973) (November 1955)
*"Hot Dog" (Modern; unreleased) (rec. 1956) (recorded this before [[Elvis Presley]])
*"Hot Dog" (Modern; unreleased) (1956; recorded this song before [[Elvis Presley]])
*"Hit Git And Split" / "It Don't Happen No More" (Modern #1002) (September 1956)
*"Hit, Git and Split" / "It Don't Happen No More" (Modern #1002) (September 1956)
*"Oochie Coochie" / "Here Comes Henry" (Modern #1010) (December 1956)
*"Here Comes Henry" / "Oochie Coochie" (Modern #1010) (December 1956)
*"Shuffle In The Gravel" / "Make Believe" (Atco #6101, 1957)
*"Shuffle In The Gravel" / "Make Believe" (Atco #6101, 1957)
*"Shuffle In The Gravel" / "Make Believe" (UK London #8544, 1958)
*"Shuffle In The Gravel" / "Make Believe" (London [UK] #8544, 1958)
*"Margie" / "That's Enough For Me" (Atlantic #2003) (1958)
*"Margie" / "That's Enough For Me" (Atlantic #2003) (1958)
*"Lulu Belle" / "The Wrong Door" (Capitol #4318) (1959)
*"Lulu Belle" / "The Wrong Door" (Capitol #4318) (1959)
*"Teacher, Gimme Back" / "My Country Cousin" (Mercury #71895) (1961)
*"Teacher, Gimme Back" / "My Country Cousin" (Mercury #71895) (1961)
*"Be Bop Country Boy" / "Big Chief" (Mercury #71985) (1962)
*"Be Bop Country Boy" / "Big Chief" (Mercury #71985) (1962)
*"I’m A Lovin' Man" / "Too Fine For Cryin'2" (Mercury #72104) (1963)
*"I'm A Lovin' Man" / "Too Fine For Cryin'2" (Mercury #72104) (1963)
*"Mary Lou" / "You Were Meant For Me" (Mercury #72146) (1963)
*"Mary Lou" / "You Were Meant For Me" (Mercury #72146) (1963)
*"Make Me Feel A Little Good" / "Brown Eyes (Come On Home)" (Vanessa #101) (1963)
*"Make Me Feel A Little Good" / "Brown Eyes (Come On Home)" (Vanessa #101) (1963)
*"Young Jessie’s Bossanova, Part 1" / "Part 2" (Bit #7464) (1964)
*"Young Jessie's Bossanova, Part 1" / "Part 2" (Bit #7464) (1964)
*"Who's To Blame" / "Beautiful Day My Brother" (Stone Dogg #801) (1972) (released as Obe Jessie & The Seeds Of Freedom)
*"Who's To Blame" / "Beautiful Day My Brother" (Stone Dogg #801) (1972) (released by 'Obe Jessie and the Seeds of Freedom')


===Albums===
===Albums===
*''Chuck Jackson And Young Jessie'' (Crown) (1963)
*''Chuck Jackson and Young Jessie'' (Crown #5354) (1963)
*''R & B Jamboree'' (Ace) (1983)
*''R & B Jamboree'' ([[Ace Records (UK)|Ace]]) (1983)
*''Hit Git And Split'' (Ace) (1985)
*''Hit, Git and Split'' (Ace) (1985)
*''Shuffle In The Gravel'' (Mr. R&B #1004) (1987) (released in Sweden)
*''Shuffle in the Gravel'' (Mr. R&B #1004) (1987; released in Sweden)
*''Shufflin And Jivin'' (Ace) (1987)
*''Shufflin' and Jivin' '' (Ace) (1987)
*''I’m Gone'' (Ace) (1995)
*''I'm Gone (The Legendary Modern Recordings)'' (Ace) (1995)


====As Obie Jessie====
====As Obie Jessie====
*''What Happened To Jr.'' (Solar #72597) (1995)
*''What Happened To Jr.'' (Solar #72597) (1995)
*''Here’s To Life'' (Jazz Family #101) (2002)
*''Here's To Life'' (Jazz Family #101) (2002)
*''New Atmosphere'' (Jazz Family ) (2009)
*''New Atmosphere'' (Jazz Family) (2009)


==References==
==References==
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*[https://myspace.com/obiejessie Young Jessie] on [[Myspace]]
*[https://myspace.com/obiejessie Young Jessie] on [[Myspace]]
*[http://koti.mbnet.fi/wdd/youngjessie.htm Young Jessie discography]
*[http://koti.mbnet.fi/wdd/youngjessie.htm Young Jessie discography]
*[http://www.angelfire.com/mn/coasters The Coasters Web Site]
*[https://www.angelfire.com/mn/coasters/ The Coasters Web Site]
*[http://home.att.net/~marvart/Flairs/flairs.html Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - The Flairs]
*[http://home.att.net/~marvart/Flairs/flairs.html Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - The Flairs]
*[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p173698|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic - Young Jessie]
*[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p173698|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic - Young Jessie]
Line 162: Line 162:
[[Category:The Flairs members]]
[[Category:The Flairs members]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male singers]]

Latest revision as of 18:47, 7 November 2024

Not to be confused with Young Jeezy.
Young Jessie
Birth nameObediah Donnell Jessie
Also known asObie Jessie
Born(1936-12-28)December 28, 1936
Lincoln Manor, Dallas, Texas, United States
DiedApril 27, 2020(2020-04-27) (aged 83)
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Years active1953–2020
LabelsModern, Atco, Capitol, Mercury, Jazz Family
Formerly ofThe Flairs
The Coasters

Obediah Donnell "Obie" Jessie (December 28, 1936 – April 27, 2020)[1] was an American R&B, rock and roll and jazz singer and songwriter. He recorded as Young Jessie in the 1950s and 1960s, and was known for his solo career, work with The Flairs and a brief stint in The Coasters. He later performed and recorded jazz as Obie Jessie.

Early life

[edit]

Jessie's father was a cook but had no musical background. His mother, Malinda (née Harris) was very musical, playing piano and other instruments; she had a brief musical career under the name Plunky Harris.[2] On his mother's side of the family, Jessie was also kin to the blues musician, Blind Lemon Jefferson.[2]

Early career

[edit]

In 1946, he moved with his family to Los Angeles, where he began studying music, and formed a vocal group, The Debonaires, which also included Richard Berry.[3] The group recorded Jessie's song, "I Had A Love", in 1953, and the single was released under the name of The Hollywood Blue Jays. They then renamed themselves as The Flairs, and won a recording contract with Modern Records.[3]

However, in 1954, Jessie signed a solo contract with producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and began recording as "Young Jessie".[3] He said: "[The name] came about because I sounded like I was forty, like ancient for a boy of 17. I had this deep baritone voice and the Biharis wanted me to get close to the rock 'n' roll market. I could have called myself Obie Jessie but I didn't want people to think I was old."[4]

Recordings and performances

[edit]

In 1955, he wrote and recorded the single "Mary Lou", later covered by Ronnie Hawkins in 1959,[3] Steve Miller Band in 1973, Bob Seger in 1976, Gene Clark in 1977, Frank Zappa in 1983 and The Oblivians in 1997. In 1956, he released "Hit, Git and Split",[3] co-written with Buck Ram and recorded in New York City with guitarist Mickey Baker.[4] He also briefly recorded with The Coasters in 1957,[3] (including harmony vocals on "Searchin'" and "Young Blood"), and appeared on records by The Crescendos[5] and Johnny Morisette, as well as being a writer for other artists' recordings, including The Chargers and Jimmy Norman. He released the single "Shuffle In the Gravel" / "Make Believe", again produced by Leiber and Stoller, on the Atco label in 1957.[4]

Jessie then moved on to record jazz for the Capitol label, novelty records for Mercury in the early 1960s, and soul ballads for the Vanessa label in 1963, but with little commercial success.[3] He recorded some unreleased material for Jake Porter in the 1960s.[6] He also did an album's worth of songs owned by Harvey Fuqua in the 1970s that never got released.[6] In 1972, he recorded a single as Obe Jessie & The Seeds Of Freedom for Stone Dogg Records.[7]

He also formed a jazz group, the Obie Jessie Combo, which played club dates, and in 1976 became musical director for Esther Phillips. In 1982, he toured in Europe and recorded jazz in Germany, and in 1983 performed at an "R & B Jamboree" in London, where he reportedly "astonished the audience with a charismatic performance."[4]

He also performed with Leon Hughes' group of The Coasters. As "Obie Jessie", he later released several jazz albums, including What Happened To Jr. (1995), Here's To Life (2002), and New Atmosphere (2009).[4] He also recorded with Atlanta-based saxophonist Bob Miles, and performed on the song "People The Time Has Come" with lyrics by Nadim Sulaiman Ali.[8]

Personal life

[edit]

His younger brother DeWayne Jessie became an actor,[2] and became well known as Otis Day in the film, National Lampoon's Animal House. Two of Young Jessie's four children sang in a group called Wizdom in the 1980s.[9]

Obie Jessie died on April 27, 2020, aged 83.[1]

Discography

[edit]

Singles

[edit]
  • "I Smell A Rat" / "Lonesome Desert" (Modern #921) (April 1954)
  • "Mary Lou" / "Don't Think I Will" (Modern #961) (June 1955)
  • "Nothing Seems Right" / "Do You Love Me" (Modern #973) (November 1955)
  • "Hot Dog" (Modern; unreleased) (1956; recorded this song before Elvis Presley)
  • "Hit, Git and Split" / "It Don't Happen No More" (Modern #1002) (September 1956)
  • "Here Comes Henry" / "Oochie Coochie" (Modern #1010) (December 1956)
  • "Shuffle In The Gravel" / "Make Believe" (Atco #6101, 1957)
  • "Shuffle In The Gravel" / "Make Believe" (London [UK] #8544, 1958)
  • "Margie" / "That's Enough For Me" (Atlantic #2003) (1958)
  • "Lulu Belle" / "The Wrong Door" (Capitol #4318) (1959)
  • "Teacher, Gimme Back" / "My Country Cousin" (Mercury #71895) (1961)
  • "Be Bop Country Boy" / "Big Chief" (Mercury #71985) (1962)
  • "I'm A Lovin' Man" / "Too Fine For Cryin'2" (Mercury #72104) (1963)
  • "Mary Lou" / "You Were Meant For Me" (Mercury #72146) (1963)
  • "Make Me Feel A Little Good" / "Brown Eyes (Come On Home)" (Vanessa #101) (1963)
  • "Young Jessie's Bossanova, Part 1" / "Part 2" (Bit #7464) (1964)
  • "Who's To Blame" / "Beautiful Day My Brother" (Stone Dogg #801) (1972) (released by 'Obe Jessie and the Seeds of Freedom')

Albums

[edit]
  • Chuck Jackson and Young Jessie (Crown #5354) (1963)
  • R & B Jamboree (Ace) (1983)
  • Hit, Git and Split (Ace) (1985)
  • Shuffle in the Gravel (Mr. R&B #1004) (1987; released in Sweden)
  • Shufflin' and Jivin' (Ace) (1987)
  • I'm Gone (The Legendary Modern Recordings) (Ace) (1995)

As Obie Jessie

[edit]
  • What Happened To Jr. (Solar #72597) (1995)
  • Here's To Life (Jazz Family #101) (2002)
  • New Atmosphere (Jazz Family) (2009)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "R.I.P. Obie "Young" Jessie, 1936-2020", The Perlich Post, April 29, 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020
  2. ^ a b c Millar, Bill (2004). Let The Good Times Rock. York, England: Music Mentor Books. p. 153. ISBN 0-9519888-8-3.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1281. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Young Jessie". Rockabilly.nl. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  5. ^ Galen Hart; Steve Propes (2001). L.A. R&B Vocal Groups 1945-1965. Milford, NH: Big Nickel Publications. p. 38. ISBN 0-936433-18-3.
  6. ^ a b Millar, Bill (2004). Let The Good Times Rock. York, England: Music Mentor Books. p. 158. ISBN 0-9519888-8-3.
  7. ^ Millar, Bill (1974). The Coasters. London, England: Star Books. p. 178. ISBN 0-352-30020-5.
  8. ^ "Bob Miles - Nubian Woman CD Album". Cduniverse.com. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  9. ^ Millar, Bill (2004). Let The Good Times Rock. York, England: Music Mentor Books. p. 159. ISBN 0-9519888-8-3.
[edit]
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