Fred Below
| Fred Below | |
|---|---|
Below in 1975
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Frederick Below, Jr. |
| Born |
September 6, 1926 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Died | August 13, 1988 (aged 61) Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genres | Blues |
| Instruments | Drums |
Frederick Below, Jr. (September 6, 1926 – August 13, 1988) was an American blues drummer, best known for his work with Little Walter and Chess Records in the 1950s. According to Tony Russell, Below was a creator of much of the rhythmic structure of Chicago blues, especially its backbeat.
Below was born in Chicago and started playing drums in a high school jazz band. After being conscripted into the United States Army, he joined the 427th Army band, in which he played with Lester Young. After service in World War II, he played in a nightclub in Germany before returning to the United States in 1951.
Back in Chicago, Below joined the Aces, a band comprising the guitar-playing brothers Louis and Dave Myers and the harmonica player Junior Wells. In 1952, Little Walter left the Muddy Waters band to pursue a solo career, Wells took over his role on harp in the Muddy Waters band, and Walter commandeered the Aces (the Myers brothers and Below). As Little Walter and the Nightcats, they became one of the top electric blues bands in Chicago.
In 1955, Below left Little Walter's band to concentrate on working as a session musician for Chess Records. However, he continued to play on Little Walter's records. He also played on hit records for Waters, Wells, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Rogers, Elmore James, Otis Rush, Howlin' Wolf and others.
Below worked with bassist Willie Dixon, Little Walter, and guitarist Robert Lockwood, Jr. on John Brim's last single for Chess, "I Would Hate to See You Go" (1956).
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