Lefty Bates (March 9, 1920 – April 7, 2007) was an American Chicago blues guitarist. He led the Lefty Bates Combo, and variously worked with the El Dorados, the Flamingos, Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Etta James, the Aristo-Kats, the Hi-De-Ho Boys, the Moroccos, the Impressions, and a latter day version of the Ink Spots. A regular on the Chicago blues scene, Bates major work was as a session musician on a multitude of recordings made in the 1950s and 1960s.
He was born William Bates in Leighton, Alabama, United States, and acquired his nickname from his left-handed guitar playing. Bates was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, attending Vashon High School and while there help form the Hi-De-Ho Boys. In 1936, they relocated to Chicago, and recorded for Decca Records and played in several Chicago clubs. Bates served in World War II, and later joined the Aristo-Kats, who recorded on RCA Victor.
From 1955, Bates worked in a similar manner with another Chicago-based record label, Club 51, although there he had the luxury of leading "The Lefty Bates Orchestra". At Club 51 he backed The Five Buddies and Sunnyland Slim. In 1957, Bates along with Earl Hooker, backed the singer Arbee Stidham, on his recording of "Look Me Straight in the Eye".
In 1959, Bates played with Reed on his recording of "Baby What You Want Me to Do". By March 1960, Bates was part of the backing trio for John Lee Hooker on his album, Travellin'. In 1961, Bates appeared on Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall, plus in the same year played on Reed's recording of "Big Boss Man".
By the time the majority of his studio work had ceased, Bates led a latter-day version of the Ink Spots in the 1970s and beyond.
Bates died of a arteriosclerosis in Chicago in April 2007, aged 87.
Bates was married to well-known area club dancer Mary Cole Bates, who died in 2001.
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