photo #1561683

Anyone who knows R&B music, knows of Joe Liggins (Joseph Christopher "Joe" Liggins, Jr., July 9, 1916 – July 26, 1987) and his Honeydrippers. This is Joe's young brother, Jimmy (James L. Elliott (October 14, 1918 – July 21, 1983). He was born in Oklahoma to Harriett and Elijah Elliott. Joe and Jimmy had both adopted their stepfather's surname, Liggins, as children.Joe often toured with the likes of Jimmy Witherspoon, Amos Milburn and H-Bomb Ferguson. Jimmy was Joe's driver and right hand man, and so Jimmy had learned Rhythm and Blues firsthand. Jimmy was originally a professional boxer until the age of 18, and fought under the name of Kid Zulu. At that time, he began driving for his brother's band, The Honeydrippers.In 1947, Jimmy began his own recording career on Art Rupe's Specialty label. "Cadillac Boogie", one of his early releases, was a direct forerunner of Jackie Brenton's "Rocket 88", which in itself is often sited as the first rock and roll record. I believe I may have shot a video of that one time.Liggins had somewhat of a wild stage presence, and this came to influence such acts as Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and as I understand it, Bill Haley. Jimmy left Specialty Records in 1954, and began his own record company, Duplex Records, in 1958. Liggins died in July 1983, at the age of 64, in Durham, North Carolina.I'm sure you've noticed the "resemblance" of their group names.. Joe's "Honeydrippers", and Jimmy's "Drops Of Joy". So here, from my collection, From early 1948, is Jimmy Liggins and his Drops Of Joy, "Cadillac Boogie" b/w Teardrop Blues".