Arthur Lee
b. 1944, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Lee's musical career began in Los Angeles with Arthur Lee And The LAGs. This instrumental group—Lee (organ), Johnny Echols (guitar), Alan Talbot (saxophone), Roland Davis (drums)—was inspired by Booker T. And The MGs as demonstrated by their lone single, The Ninth Wave (1963). Arthur also pursued a career as a songwriter, composing two surfing songs, White Caps and Ski Surfin Sanctuary’, and My Diary, a local R&B hit for singer Rosa Lee Brooks which featured Jimi Hendrix on guitar. Lee then began an association with producer Bob Keene's group of labels, writing I've Been Trying for protege Little Ray and performing Luci Baines—Twist And Shout clone, with a new group, the American Four. Arthur also composed Everybody Jerk and Slow Jerk for a thriving bar-band, Ronnie And The Pomona Casuals. Both songs appeared on the unit's lone album and featured Lee on lead vocals. The all-pervasive success of the Byrds inspired Arthur to form a folk-rock band, initially dubbed the Grass Roots, but later known as Love. He led this erratically brilliant group throughout its tempestuous history, but temporarily abandoned the name in 1972 for his solo album, VINDICATOR. This energized set featured support from Band-Aid, which included Frank Fayad (bass), Don Poncher (drums) and guitarists Craig Tarwarter and Charles Karp. The collection polarized opinion; some bemoaned its unsubtle approach, while others praised its exciting aggression. Lee then joined Paul A. Rothschild's Buffalo label, but a completed album was shelved when the company folded. Lee subsequently resurrected Love. The singer resumed his solo career in 1977 with a four-track EP, which included the haunting I Do Wonder. These tracks later formed the basis of a second album, ARTHUR LEE, but its newer material showed a sad lack of direction. Another comeback in 1992, with an album on the independent French label, New Rose, saw Lee promote the set in-concert which revealed brief flashes of his former genius. Lee remains an enigmatic figure on America's west coast and both he and his groups have retained their cult following.