From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Sat Mar 1, 2003  2:07 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Leroy Washington
  
LEROY WASHINGTON

Born 1 March 1932, Palmetto, Louisiana
Died 29 June 1966, Oakdale, Louisiana

Vocalist, guitarist.

Leroy Washington lived in Opelousas, Louisiana, for most of his too
short life. He had a rich voice, and was clearly influenced by Roy Brown's
brand of soulful blues. Washington was a favourite of Jay Miller's, who
produced most of his records. Generally these were good, blues-laden
R&B, but that vital ingredient labeled "hit" was missing. Washington's
first Excello release (2144), the rousing, self-composed "Wild Cherry",
was his best, with the lazy, laid-back "Everyday" (on the Zynn label) as
a close second. Both songs were included in the 1981 album "Leroy
Washington" (Flyright 574), which featured many previously unissued
sides, the most noteworthy being the very bluesy "Baby Please Come
Home" and the amusing "Bow Legged, Knock Kneed and Big Eyed",
which was deemed too politically incorrect at the time of its recording
in 1959.
Occasionally, when Al Foreman was not available, he would guest as a
session guitarist with what is now known as Jay Miller's famed Crowley
Studio Band : Katie Webster (piano), Al Foreman (guitar), Bobby McBride
(bass), Lionel Torrence (sax) and Warren Storm (drums).
A reputable guitarist and an underrated singer, Washington died in 1966
following a club performance at Oakdale, near Kinder.

"Wild Cherry" is available on several compilations, among them "The Best
of Excello Records" (AVI / Excello CD 3001, released in 1994) and "The
Excello Story, Vol. 3 : 1957-1961" (Hip-O). The Ace CD's "Genuine Excello
R&B" (Ace 678) and "Located in the Record Center of the South" (Ace 686) 
include three, resp. two tracks by Washington.