Julia Lee And Her Boyfriends

Born In Boonville Missouri Lee Was Raised In Kansas City And Began Her Musical Career Around 1920 Singing And Playing Piano In Her Brother George Lee's Band Which For A Time Also Included Charlie Parker. She First Recorded On The Merritt Record Label In 1927 With Jesse Stone As Pianist And Arranger And Launched A Solo Career In 1935. In 1944 She Won A Recording Contract With Capitol Records And A String Of R&B Hits Followed Including "Gotta Gimme Whatcha Got" #3 R&B 1946 "Snatch And Grab It" #1 R&B For 12 Weeks 1947 Selling Over 500 000 Copies "King Size Papa" #1 R&B For 9 Weeks 1948 "I Didn't Like It The First Time The Spinach Song " #4 R&B 1949 And "My Man Stands Out". As These Titles Suggest She Became Best Known For Her Trademark Double Entendre Songs Or As She Once Said "the Songs My Mother Taught Me Not To Sing". The Records Were Credited To 'Julia Lee And Her Boy Friends' Her Session Musicians Including Jay McShann Vic Dickenson Benny Carter Red Norvo Nappy Lamare And Red Nichols. Although Her Hits Dried Up After 1949 She Continued As One Of The Most Popular Performers In Kansas City Until Her Death In San Diego California At The Age Of 56 From A Heart Attack. read less