LeeAllen

Biography

Lee Allen was the tenor saxophonist who, more than perhaps any other single musician, defined the sound of 1950s New Orleans rock and roll. Born in Kansas and raised largely in Denver before landing at Xavier University in 1943, Allen fell into the city's thriving postwar recording scene and became a fixture of the J&M studio band at Cosimo Matassa's studio, where he co-led the horn section alongside baritone saxophonist Alvin "Red" Tyler. His tenor solos anchor dozens of the era's biggest hits — most famously his blistering choruses on Little Richard's biggest singles, along with sessions for Fats Domino, Lloyd Price, and Professor Longhair. His own 1958 instrumental "Walkin' with Mr. Lee" became a modest hit in its own right, boosted by regular airplay on American Bandstand. After the New Orleans recording industry cooled in the mid-1960s, Allen followed drummer Earl Palmer to Los Angeles, working day jobs while gigging at night. He found a second act in the 1980s roots-rock revival, touring and recording with The Blasters and the Stray Cats, and even sat in with the Rolling Stones on a handful of 1981 tour dates. Allen died in 1994, not long after reuniting with fellow J&M alumni for one final session.