Watch Elmo and the Shades Here!
“ELMO” LEE THOMAS(VOCALS, GUITAR, HARMONICA)-This big voiced singer has been the driving force behind one of Memphis and the Mid South’s most popular bands, Elmo and the Shades, for over thirty years. As a front man for the Shades, Elmo attracts both young and old to his performances.A “true blue” bluesman! Elmo and the Shades are considered by many in Memphis, the Mid-South, and the world to be a Memphis Blues tradition. Elmo’s band features legendary Memphis musicians including:
TOMMY LEE WILLIAMS (SAX, FLUTE, PERCUSSION, VOCALS)-Tommy Lee is musician of legendary stature. Born in Eads TN. Tommy Lee’s first band was a local group known as The Impalas. The members included what later would become The Hi Rhythm Section (Al Green). He then went onto Tennessee State University in Nashville and played with many Nashville R&B groups and was a member of The King Kasuals featuring a young Jimi Hendrix . In 1966, at the invitation of Andrew Love of Memphis Horns fame, Tommy Lee became a fixture at Stax records. His horn and flute prowess can be heard on many Otis Redding songs including “Dock of the Bay”, as well as the entire Stax catalogue of such artists as Sam and Dave (Soulman, Hold on I’m Comin) and Eddie Floyd (Knock on Wood). The Staple Singers’ (“I’ll Take You There”), Isaac Hayes’s (“Shaft”), as well as arrangement and performance credits on Albert King’s legendary album “I’ll Play the Blues for You”. Tommy Lee joined The Isaac Hayes Movement in 1970 and appeared in the 1973 documentary “Wattstax”
HAROLD BEANE (GUITAR)- Harold Beane is a world renowned guitarist from Memphis Tennessee. He was contracted by Stax Records in the 1960s, and was featured on the Isaac Hayes breakout album (Hot Buttered Soul). Harold was the guitarist of record for the Isaac Hayes hit single “Walk On By”. In 1972 Harold joined the iconic funk band Parliament/The Funkadelics. He played with The Funkadelics throughout the seventies and occasionally joins this group for live performances today. Harold has backed up many Memphis icons throughout his career including Rufus Thomas(recorded Funky Chicken ,Push Pull, and The Breakdown), Albert King, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Little Richard, David Porter and many others. Harold brings authentic Memphis soul and funk to the table as well as a mastery of the Blues.
MICKEY GREGORY (TRUMPET, VOCALS)
Mickey spent the early part of his career playing behind such legendary R&B artists as Rufus Thomas (original member of the Bearcats), Little Richard, Hank Ballard, and many other notables of the era. In the early 60’s he was one of the first musicians contracted on the Satelite label later to become known as Stax Records. Mickey’s trumpet can be heard on the majority of notable releases of such legendary artists as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd, Johnny Taylor, and many others. Mickey was an original member of the Isaac Hayes Movement and played on most of the Hayes catalogue at Stax including the megahit “Shaft” and appeared in the documentary “WattStax”.
JOHN GROESSE (BASS GUITAR,VOCALS) John is a native of Los Angeles but relocated to Memphis in the early seventies with his blues band Magpie. His performance credits include Steve Miller ,Charlie Musselwhite,and Dave Mason.
BRIAN (BIG EASY) WELLS (DRUMS,PERCUSSION) -A native of New Orleans, Brian(Big Easy) Wells has established himself in Memphis as one of the finest drummers in the region. Seizing the opportunity to play with some of the most significant musicians in Memphis music history ,Brian joined the Shades in 2012 & lays down the big beat.