Bob Gaddy biography

Bob Gaddy Born February 4, 1924(1924-02-04) Vivian, West Virginia, United States Died July 24, 1997(1997-07-24) (aged 73) The Bronx, New York, United States Genres East Coast blues, rhythm and blues Occupations Pianist, singer, songwriter Instruments Piano, vocals Years active 1947–1997 Labels Various Bob Gaddy (February 4, 1924 – July 24, 1997) was an American East Coast blues and rhythm and blues pianist, singer and songwriter. He is best remembered for his recordings of "Operator" and "Rip and Run," and musical work he undertook with Larry Dale, Wild Jimmy Spruill, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. Biography Gaddy was born in Vivian, West Virginia, a small town based around coal mining. He played in blues clubs in Oakland and San Francisco, but after World War II finished he relocated to New York in 1946. Gaddy later commented "I came to New York just to visit, because I was on my way to the West Coast. Somehow or other, I just got hooked on it. New York got into my system and I've been stuck here ever since." He found work as a blues pianist, and in the late 1940s Gaddy provided accompaniment to both Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry. He later backed Larry Dale, and befriended Champion Jack Dupree. Dupree penned "Operator" for Gaddy, one of his best selling numbers. Gaddy ceased his recording activities around 1960. However, along with his long time friend Larry Dale, Gaddy remained a mainstay of the ongoing New York blues scene. In April 1988, Gaddy, Dale and Spruill reunited to play at the Tramps nightclub in New York. Bob Gaddy died of lung cancer in the Bronx, New York in July 1997, at the age of 73. Singles "I (Believe You Got A Sidekick)" / "Bicycle Boogie" (1952) - Jackson Records - Bob Gaddy & His Alley Cats "No Help Wanted" / "Little Girl's Boogie" (1953) - Jax Records - Bob Gaddy & His Alley Cats "Evil Man Blues" / "Doctor Gaddy's Blues" (1954) - Dot Records - Doctor Gaddy & His Orchestra "Blues Has Walked in My Room" / "Slow Down Baby" (1955) - Harlem Records - Doctor Gaddy & His Keys "Operator" / "I Love My Baby" (1956) - Old Town Records - Doctor Gaddy & His Keys "Paper Lady" / "Out Of My Name" (1957) - Old Town Records - Doctor Gaddy & His Keys "Woe Woe Is Me" / "Rip and Run" (1958) - Old Town Records - Doctor Gaddy & His Keys "Take My Advice" / "You Are the One" (1959) - Old Town Records "Till The Day I Die"/ "I'll Go My Way" (1959) - Old Town Records Compilation albums Rip and Run (1986) - Ace Bob Gaddy & Friends: Bicycle Boogie 1947 - 1960 (1987) - Moonshine Harlem Blues Operator (1995) - Ace