Roy Gaines

Roy Gaines
Roy Gaines in 1977
Background information
Birth name	Roy James Gaines
Born	(1934-08-12) August 12, 1934 (age 82) Waskom, Texas, United States
Genres	Texas blues, electric blues, East Coast blues
Occupation(s)	Guitarist, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, vocals
Labels	Various
Associated acts	T-Bone Walker, Roy Milton, Chuck Willis, Grady Gaines, Ray Charles

Roy James Gaines (born August 12, 1934 or 1937) is an American Texas blues and electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. Gaines's recorded work includes his self-penned track, "A Hell of a Night", which first appeared on his 1982 album, Gainelining. He is the younger brother of another blues musician, Grady Gaines.

Gaines was born in Waskom, Texas, United States, and relocated with his family to Houston at the age of six. Originally a piano devotee, Gaines moved to playing the guitar in his adolescence. In his teens he was acquainted with his fellow budding guitarist, Johnny Copeland. By the age of 14 he had performed onstage backing his hero, T-Bone Walker, and played in the Houston nightclubs before his move to Los Angeles, California. In 1955, Gaines backing work appeared on recordings by Bobby Bland, Junior Parker and Big Mama Thornton. He later backed Roy Milton and then Chuck Willis, and worked again with Walker.

He released two low-key albums in 1956, and a couple more in the 1960s on small record labels. In 1966, Gaines became part of Ray Charles' backing band. Other backing work for Gaines included sessions with The Everly Brothers, The Supremes, Bobby Darin, Stevie Wonder, and Gladys Knight.