Lee Dorsey
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Biography
Lee Dorsey was a key figure in New Orleans R&B in the 1960s, best known for his collaborations with Allen Toussaint, his use of the Meters as his backing band, and a series of high-charting and oft-covered hits. Born on December 24, 1924, Dorsey was a boxer before retiring from the fight game in his early thirties. He opened an auto body shop back home in New Orleans and performed at night for kicks. Dorsey released a handful of unsuccessful singles until he teamed up with Toussaint in the early â60s and released the million-selling, Number 1 R&B single âYa Yaâ in 1961. The song was a favorite of the early incarnation of the Beatles, and was a staple of their Hamburg setlist.
Subsequent singles werenât as successful, and Dorsey went back to his day job for a few years until he and Toussaint linked up again in 1965 for âRide Your Ponyâ, which put Dorsey back on the charts. This success -- as well as the addition of the excellent backing band the Meters -- gave him the momentum for a strong second half of the â60s, which included âGet Out of My Life, Womanâ, âHoly Cowâ, and his defining hit, 1966âs âWorking in a Coal Mineâ.
1970 saw Dorseyâs last significant hit, âYes We Canâ, but he stayed busy on the road, where he was booked on tours alongside the Clash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and James Brown. His songs continued to resonate: Devo made the charts with their cover of âWorking in a Coal Mineâ in 1981, and the Judds also put their spin on the tune. âYa Yaâ was covered by John Lennon on his album Rock ânâ Roll, and Ike & Tina Turnerâs version is included on many of their anthologies. Dorsey died in his hometown on December 1, 1986.
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Albums
Top Tracks
- Track Popularity
- Working in the Coal Mine
- Everything I do Gonh Be Funky (From Now On)
- Mexico
- Ya Ya
- Ride Your Pony
- Freedom For The Stallion
- Holy Cow
- Give It Up
- If She Won't (Find Someone Who Will)
- When Can I Come Home
- Take Care Of Our Love by Lee Dorsey
- Messed Around (And Fell in Love)
- Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley
- Yes We Can
- Lonely Avenue
- Yes We Can by Lee Dorsey
- Hello Good Looking
- You're Breaking Me Up
- My Old Car
- If I Were A Carpenter
- As Quiet As It's Kept
- My Memories of You featuring Lee Dorsey
- Guilty featuring Lee Dorsey
- Night People
