The original version of “Stagger Lee” was recorded in 1958 by Lloyd Price and released on Specialty Records. The song was credited to Price and Harold Logan, and was based on the original folk-blues song of the same name.
Price’s version of “Stagger Lee” became a chart-topping hit, spending five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1959. Also known as “Stagolé,” this song was a particular favorite of African American audiences and was influential in the development of rhythm and blues.
Price’s hit version diverged from the original folk-blues song, particularly in the chorus, which uses a call and response structure between Price and a group of backing vocalists. Price’s version remains one of the most successful and lasting renditions of the song.
Table of Contents
How many versions of Stagger Lee are there?
There are countless versions of the traditional American “Stagger Lee” song. It comes from a 19th-century murder ballad which tells the story of a poolroom altercation that leads to a shooting, and the subsequent trial and execution of Stagger Lee.
It has been recorded by hundreds of artists in a variety of genres, including country, folk, rock’n’roll, blues, jazz, and gospel. The most famous version of Stagger Lee is probably that recorded by the soul legend, Jackie Wilson, and released as a single in 1957.
Other commonly cited versions include Mississippi John Hurt, Lloyd Price, Fats Domino, Bob Dylan, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, and Fats Waller, whose take on the song is perhaps the most well-known. More recently, artists such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Nick Lowe, and The White Stripes have recorded their own interpretations.
Who were Stagger Lee and Billy?
Stagger Lee and Billy were two men that were immortalized in the song “Stagger Lee” by Lloyd Price in 1958. The song is based on the actual events of December 28, 1895, when an altercation between two men, William Lyons (Stagger Lee) and Billy Lyons, ended in a fatal shooting.
Stagger Lee was a Gambler and a sporting man who wore a Stetson hat and was known for his prowess with women. He reputedly killed Billy in a fit of drunken rage after losing a game of craps in a St. Louis saloon.
With some accounts saying that Billy confronted Stagger Lee over his advances toward Billy’s wife or a revolver that Stagger Lee had stolen from him. Either way, Stagger Lee was arrested, convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
The song has become a classic and has been covered several times, by everyone from Bob Dylan to Nick Cave.
Is the song Stagger Lee based on a true story?
Yes, the song “Stagger Lee” is based on a true story. The song and story stem from a real-life robbery and murder that took place in St. Louis in 1895. The story tells of how an altercation between two men, referred to as “Stack Lee” and “Billy Lyons,” resulted in the death of Billy at the hands of Stack.
While the names in the song differ from the actual men involved in the crime, the details of the event are fairly accurate.
The incident began on December 22, 1895 at the Bill Curtis Saloon in St. Louis. The two men, William “Billy” Lyons and Lee Sheldon (sometimes referred to as “Stag”) got into an argument over a Stetson hat.
Billy accused Stack of stealing the hat and the argument quickly escalated. When Billy put his hand on Stack’s shoulder, Stack pulled out a knife and stabbed Billy repeatedly until Billy was dead.
Stack was arrested, tried and sentenced to life in prison. The popularity of the murder and its subsequent trial made the story a popular subject for rhymes and songs, and “Stagger Lee” was one of the most widely-known versions.
The song was recorded and released by many artists, making the tale of Stagger Lee an enduring American classic.
Why was Stagger Lee controversial?
The song “Stagger Lee” has been a controversial topic ever since its conception in 1844. Written by and about William Lyons, a street character known as Stagger Lee, the song explores themes of crime, violence, and even racism.
In the late 1800s, it was seen as an anthem for African Americans, with its vivid and graphic descriptions of a man’s life on the streets in the deep South. It was particularly controversial due to its sympathetic portrayal of an individual who was willing to use violence, ultimately leading to his demise.
Its ambiguous lyrics served to further its controversy as its interpretation was most often based on personal opinion or conscious experience.
Stagger Lee was seen as even more controversial when it was popularized in 1959. For the first time, a largely white country audience heard the song and its associated figures of crime and violence on the radio.
White performers such as Elvis Presley, and even early rap artists, performed versions of the song, which some found offensive as it was viewed as glamorizing violence and crime. This duality of appreciation and criticism for song’s dark side has created a lot of controversy around it.
More recently, modern versions of Stagger Lee have included issues such as the drug trade, racial struggles and police brutality. These variations have been seen as more contemporary and relevant within our society, furthering its controversy due to their bold messages.
Overall, Stagger Lee remains a controversial topic due to its explicit and often graphic content, as well as its ever-evolving meanings throughout the years. It continues to be a topic of debate and reflection within both the music and social communities.
What year did Stagger Lee come out?
Stagger Lee, a folk song dating back to the late 1800s, was popularized by various blues and soul musicians in the early to mid-1900s. The first recorded version of Stagger Lee was released in 1923 by Mississippi John Hurt, one of the most talented of the early blues singers.
From there, it gathered popularity for decades, with different versions being released by a variety of artists, with their own unique takes on the song. In 1959, Lloyd Price released a version of Stagger Lee that reached the top of the rhythm and blues and pop music charts, and is perhaps the most widely-known version of the song today.
What album is stagger Lee on?
Stagger Lee is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Dave Edmunds. The song was originally released on his 1977 album Get It. It peaked at number 83 on the U. S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, and spent four weeks at number one on the U.
S. Billboard Country Singles chart. It also reached the top 30 in Canada and the top 30 in New Zealand. An album version of the song appears on his 1977 album titled Get It, released by Arista Records.
What is Mississippi John Hurt most famous for?
Mississippi John Hurt is most well known for his influential blues recordings, particularly those from the 1920s and 1930s. His guitar work blended ragtime, Country and Delta Blues, making him one of the most influential blues guitarists of all time.
Most notably, Mississippi John Hurt released a groundbreaking set of six sides in 1928, including his signature song, “Avalon Blues. ” He also released numerous albums in the 1960s and 1970s, which were gathered into two critically acclaimed albums, Mississippi John Hurt: Today and The Immortal Mississippi John Hurt.
His work has been covered prolifically by other musicians, making him one of the most covered blues artists of all time. In addition, Mississippi John Hurt has been posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
How do you play Stagger Lee on guitar?
Playing Stagger Lee on guitar is relatively straight-forward and can be done with a single guitar and no accompaniment. To start out, it is helpful to get a feel for the song by listening to a few versions.
Once you have a feel for the tune, there are three main chords you will need to learn: G, D, and A.
The main guitar line for Stagger Lee is the chords G, D, A, and G played in the order that matches the lyrics. To begin playing, you’ll need to get comfortable with the strumming pattern used. The pattern consists of two down strums followed by two up strums.
You can also learn how to play the melody of the song on the guitar. The melody runs through the same chord progression (G, D, A, G) and is relatively easy to pick up. To practice, start by alternating the melody while you play the chord progression.
Once comfortable with the basic chords and melody, you can begin to add more complexity by altering the strumming pattern, adding in bass lines, or chording. Playing Stagger Lee on guitar is easy to learn and makes for a great song to perform solo or with accompaniment.
Was there a real Stagger Lee?
Yes, there was a real-life person behind the song that is famously known as Stagger Lee. His real name was Lee Sheldon and he lived in St. Louis in 1895. He was a well-known gambler, who also engaged in violent and criminal activity.
He was described as a “massive brute of a man”.
The true story behind the song is that he bet his hat with Billy Lyons over a game of craps. Since he was unable to pay off his debt, Lyons took Lee’s hat. When Lee asked for it back, Lyons refused. Lee then pulled out his revolver and shot Lyons, killing him instantly.
This was the foundation that the song was based on.
Stagger Lee’s story, which was composed and adapted in various ways, gained a life of its own as it circulated amongst oral traditions and was eventually taken up by popular singers such as Ma Rainey, the Bihari brothers, Furry Lewis and Mississippi John Hurt.
In 1959, it was adapted into a popular hit single by Lloyd Price. It has since been recorded and reinterpreted by a variety of artists, such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
The story of Stagger Lee has become one of the most enduring shades of American folklore, with its story of violence, gambling and crime providing a fascinating story for generations.
Who is Billy Lyons?
Billy Lyons is an American folk and blues musician who has been a fixture of the New Orleans music scene for over 20 years. He’s earned a reputation as one of the most talented musicians and songwriters in the city, performing a blend of Delta Blues and honky-tonk styles of music that celebrates the history and culture of New Orleans.
He’s often credited with keeping the traditional blues of the city alive and fresh for modern audiences.
Billy first began his musical career in the mid-1990s at local New Orleans bars and clubs, performing a mix of original songs and traditional blues standards. Since then, he’s released several albums and singles, including annual releases as part of his “Billy Lyons & the Alligator Brand” project.
His music has earned critical and popular acclaim, and has been featured in TV shows, movies, and commercials.
Billy is also a gifted guitarist, playing a custom-built Martin OMC-1E acoustic guitar. He regularly performs with a variety of instrumentation to create unique sonic textures and sounds, including keyboards, horns, and fiddle.
Billy currently lives in New Orleans and continues to be a beloved figure in the local music community. He has a passionate and enthusiastic performance style that captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impact.
What was the Stagger Lee myth quizlet?
The Stagger Lee myth was a popular story that emerged in the late 19th century about a murder in the United States. The legend was characterized by the crime – which involved the murder of Billy Lyons by Lee Shelton (also known as Lee “Stag” Lee, Stagger Lee, Stack Lee, Stacker Lee, and Stack O’Lee) – as well as its enduring popularity among the general public.
According to the myth, Stagger Lee was a popular gambler and pimp in St. Louis in the late 1890s who was known to wear a stack o’ lee hat and often referred to by his title of “Stagger Lee. ” The story goes that one night, Stagger Lee and Billy Lyons—a local bartender—got into an argument over a Stetson hat, which Billy refused to give to Stagger Lee.
Infuriated, Stagger Lee reacted by fatally shooting Billy Lyons.
This event catalyzed the creation of the “Stagger Lee” myth, with songs and stories further embellishing the account in the years that followed. It is believed that the popular song “Stagger Lee,” which was first recorded in 1923 and has been covered numerous times since, was based on this urban legend.
Since then, the story of Stagger Lee has become an American folk tale and remains popular even today.
Who was Lee Shelton named after?
Lee Shelton was named after his great-grandfather, who was also named Lee Shelton. The family has long known him simply as “Grandpa Lee. ” He was born in 1906 in Vardaman, Mississippi, the son of William and Sarah Shelton, and lived to be 89 years old.
Not much else is known about Grandpa Lee, but according to family lore, he was a hardworking man who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He had a fiery temper, but a huge heart, and was well-respected by his family and friends.
His death in 1995 brought a great sadness to the entire extended family. To honor and remember him, his descendants named their children after him, ensuring that his name would live on for another generation.
How was after the ball originally distributed?
After the ball was originally distributed, it quickly became a beloved activity for people of all ages. The popularity of the ball spread rapidly, with children using them for play and adults using them to stay physically active.
It was enjoyed in schools, parks, and living rooms alike, as it was easy to learn and quickly became an obsession.
As the popularity of the game grew, so did the number of different variations and rules. Teams were formed and tournaments were held, as well as friendly competitions between family and friends. People even began creating unique and creative ways to play the game, creating even more excitement and interest.
What started as a simple form of entertainment ballooned into a beloved sport and pastime, with just a humble ball as its foundation. The after the ball continues to be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, both as a game and as a healthy way to stay active.
Who is Lee from Steps sister?
Lee from Steps is Claire Richards’ younger sister. She is often referred to as “Little Lee”. Claire and Lee are close, with Claire always looking out for her. Lee is passionate about music and has performed with Claire in Steps.
She often duets with Claire and is an important part of the group. In 2015, the duo released an album together entitled “Heaven on Earth” that showcases their incredible vocal blend. Lee often accompanies Claire on Steps tour dates where she takes part in various performances.
She is also a singer and songwriter, having contributed to the songwriting process for Steps’ most recent albums. Lee is an incredible talent and is always focused on exploring her music career further.
