Danny Overbea
| Danny Overbea | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Daniel Dorsey Overbea |
| Born |
January 3, 1926 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | May 11, 1994 (aged 68) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Rhythm and blues, pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, guitarist, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1946–1970s |
| Labels | Checker, Argo, Federal |
| Associated acts | King Kolax |
Daniel Dorsey "Danny" Overbea (January 3, 1926 – May 11, 1994) was an American rhythm and blues singer, guitarist and songwriter, best known for his songs "Train, Train, Train" and "Forty Cups of Coffee", which he wrote and recorded in the early 1950s.
He was born in Philadelphia, but grew up on the South Side of Chicago where he learned guitar while at DuSable High School. After serving with the military, he started a professional career as a musician in 1946, initially with the Three Earls in Cleveland, Ohio, before launching a solo career. After returning to Chicago he made his first recording in 1950, as guest vocalist on saxophonist Eddie Chamblee's "Every Shut Eye Ain't Sleep". He signed as a solo artist to Premium Records, and released his first single, "Contrary Mary", in early 1951. He became a popular club performer, noted for his guitar skills while performing splits, playing behind his back, and with his teeth, many such moves emulating T-Bone Walker (and later adopted by Jimi Hendrix).
In 1952, he was spotted by radio DJ Al Benson, who arranged for him to be signed by Chess Records. His first and most successful record for the company, "Train, Train, Train", his own composition, was issued on the Checker subsidiary label in early 1953 and reached number 7 on the Billboard R&B chart. The song was covered by Buddy Morrow, whose version on RCA Victor reached number 28 on the pop chart.
Overbea became a favorite of leading DJ Alan Freed and appeared on some of Freed's shows as well as maintaining a performing schedule in Chicago clubs. On his second Checker single, "Forty Cups of Coffee", he was backed by the King Kolax Orchestra. A cover version by Ella Mae Morse reached number 26 on the pop chart, and the song was recorded by Bill Haley in 1956. According to Allmusic, Overbea's first two Checker records were "essentially rock ‘n’ roll songs before the concept of ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ had even emerged."
...
Wikipedia