I Feel Like Crying - Andrew Tibbs

Melvin Andrew Grayson, 2 February 1929, Columbus, Ohio, USA, d. 5 May 1991, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Although little-known now, Tibbs was an important contributor to the early success of the Aristocrat record label, the precursor of Chess Records and Checker Records. His father, Rev. S.A. Grayson, was one of Chicago’s most prominent Baptist ministers and the young Tibbs sang in choirs directed by Mahalia Jackson and Ruth Jones (who later married his brother, Robert, and changed her name to Dinah Washington). He based his blues singing style on Roy Brown, Ivory Joe Hunter and Gatemouth Moore. He was spotted while singing at the Macomba Lounge by owner Leonard Chess, who was in the process of buying Aristocrat Records. Still aged only 18, both sides of his first single, ‘Bilbo Is Dead’ and ‘Union Man Blues’, caused controversy; the first was seen as a criticism of the recently deceased Mississippi segregationist senator, Theodore Bilbo, while local Chicago teamster unions objected to the b-side. Tibbs recorded another six singles for Aristocrat, including ‘Married Man Blues’, and ‘You Can’t Win’ for Chess and ‘Rock Savoy Rock’ for Peacock. After an unissued session for Savoy, he and his brother Kenneth recorded a single for Atco Records in 1956, which featured King Curtis on his first Atlantic Records session. Tibbs’ last single, ‘Stone Hearted Woman’, was recorded for M-Pac! in 1965. He retired from singing thereafter and worked for West Electric for the rest of his life. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

STONE HEARTED WOMAN - ANDREW TIBBS

Andrew Tibbs (February 2, 1929 – May 5, 1991) was an American electric and urban blues singer and songwriter. He is best known for his controversial 1947 recording, "Bilbo Is Dead", a song relating to the demise of Theodore G. Bilbo
Tibbs was born Melvin Andrew Grayson, in Columbus, Ohio, United States. As a boy he sang in Baptist choirs in Chicago, directed by Mahalia Jackson and Dinah Washington. He was influenced by Ivory Joe Hunter and Arnold "Gatemouth" Moore.

From 1947 to 1949, Tibbs originally recorded for Aristocrat Records. His debut single was "Bilbo Is Dead" b/w "Union Man Blues", recorded whilst Tibbs was eighteen years old. The tracks were both co-written by Tibbs and Tom Archia,and caused controversy. The A-side criticized Theodore Bilbo's policies, whilst the B-side caused displeasure from the Chicago based teamster trade unions. Six further singles were released by Aristocrat. Following its eventual acquisition by Leonard and Phil Chess, the newly formed Chess label signed Tibbs in 1950, but he released only one record, "You Can't Win", before being dismissed.

Tibbs recorded the "Rock Savoy Rock" single for Peacock Records in 1951, followed by some unissued sessions for Savoy. With his brother, Kenneth, Tibbs recorded one session for Atco in 1956, which featured King Curtis. His final recordings in 1962 for M-Pac Records included his last single release, "Stone Hearted Woman".

He worked for West Electric thereafter, but made sporadic live appearances in Chicago clubs.

Tibbs died in Chicago in May 1991, aged 62
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I Feel Like Crying - Andrew Tibbs

Andrew Tibbs (February 2, 1929 – May 5, 1991) was an American electric and urban blues singer and songwriter. He is best known for his controversial 1947 recording, "Bilbo Is Dead", a song relating to the demise of Theodore G. Bilbo.
Tibbs was born Melvin Andrew Grayson, in Columbus, Ohio, United States. As a boy he sang in Baptist choirs in Chicago, directed by Mahalia Jackson and Dinah Washington. He was influenced by Ivory Joe Hunter and Arnold "Gatemouth" Moore.

From 1947 to 1949, Tibbs originally recorded for Aristocrat Records. His debut single was "Bilbo Is Dead" b/w "Union Man Blues", recorded whilst Tibbs was eighteen years old. The tracks were both co-written by Tibbs and Tom Archia, and caused controversy. The A-side criticized Theodore Bilbo's policies, whilst the B-side caused displeasure from the Chicago based teamster trade unions. Six further singles were released by Aristocrat. Following its eventual acquisition by Leonard and Phil Chess, the newly formed Chess label signed Tibbs in 1950, but he released only one record, "You Can't Win", before being dismissed.

Tibbs recorded the "Rock Savoy Rock" single for Peacock Records in 1951, followed by some unissued sessions for Savoy. With his brother, Kenneth, Tibbs recorded one session for Atco in 1956, which featured King Curtis. His final recordings in 1962 for M-Pac Records included his last single release, "Stone Hearted Woman".

He worked for West Electric thereafter, but made sporadic live appearances in Chicago clubs.

Tibbs died in Chicago in May 1991, aged 62.
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