 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2018) |
Lazy Lester | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Lester in 2004 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Leslie Johnson |
| Born | June 20, 1933 Torras, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | August 22, 2018 (aged 85) Paradise, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1950s–2018 |
| Labels | |
Leslie Johnson (June 20, 1933 – August 22, 2018),[1][2] known as Lazy Lester, was an American blues musician who sang and played the harmonica and guitar. In a career spanning the 1950s to 2018, he pioneered swamp blues,[3] and also played harmonica blues, rhythm and blues and Louisiana blues.[1]
Best known for regional hits recorded with Ernie Young's Nashville-based Excello Records, Lester also contributed to songs recorded by other Excello artists, including Slim Harpo, Lightnin' Slim, and Katie Webster. Cover versions of his songs have been recorded by (among others) the Kinks, the Flamin' Groovies, Freddy Fender, Dwight Yoakam, Dave Edmunds, Raful Neal, Anson Funderburgh, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. In the comeback stage of his career (since the late 1980s), he recorded new albums backed by Mike Buck, Sue Foley, Gene Taylor, Kenny Neal, Lucky Peterson, and Jimmie Vaughan.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
amgwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Lazy Lester – Swamp Blues Pioneer – Blues Profile – Biography". April 11, 2006. Archived from the original on April 11, 2006. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
- ^ Slotnik, Daniel E (August 24, 2018). "Lazy Lester, Luminary of Swamp Blues, Is Dead at 85". The New York Times. Retrieved September 6, 2022.