After relocating to Chicago during his teenage years in 1955, renowned blues bassist Bob Stroger found the music that would define his career without even rising from bed. His residence behind a west-side nightclub exposed him nightly to performances by visiting artists such as Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. The electric bass reached him first, its deep tones traveling farther than other instruments and rousing more sleepers. Glimpses of the performers inside soon fueled his determination. Although the blues often evokes sadness, Stroger recalled that “it looked like they were having a lot of fun and I made up my mind that what I wanted to do was play music,” as he later noted in a brief autobiography posted on his website.
His brother-in-law Johnny Ferguson, who performed with blues figure J.B. Hutto in the Twisters, provided an early connection. Stroger’s initial role in the music world involved driving that group to gigs, a logistical necessity that preceded any stage work. Through consistent practice he assembled a family ensemble featuring cousin Ralph Ramey on harmonica and brother John Stroger on drums. An audition quickly secured steady club employment, yet the owner required matching outfits; the cash-strapped musicians arrived wearing black tams marked with red circles and adopted the name the Red Tops.
Ramey withdrew once the band began accepting road dates, since his wife prohibited extended travel. Willie Kent stepped in on bass, and the unit became Joe Russel & the Blues Hustlers, with John Stroger performing under the stage name Joe Russel. Stroger next explored jazz, appearing intermittently with Rufus Forman across three years. A 1969 encounter with guitarist Eddie King sparked a lasting partnership; after King eventually departed, Stroger set his instrument aside for two years. The pair had maintained Eddie King & the King Men on and off for roughly fifteen years, followed by a briefer period with Eddie King & Babee May & the Blues Machine. The prevalence of the surname King among string players prompted wry commentary on the abundance of such figures in blues.
Bandleader Morris Pejo helped restart Stroger’s activity, leading to an ’80s role supporting guitarist Otis Rush. During the subsequent decade he accompanied pianist Sunnyland Slim and Mississippi Heat while shifting toward freelance engagements. Together with drummer Odie Payne, Stroger formed the rhythm section for European promoter Horst Lippman’s American Blues Folk Festivals. His recording history opens with Eddie King’s 1965 single “Love You Baby” and extends through sessions with Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Eddie Clearwater, Sunnyland Slim, Louisiana Red, Buster Benton, Homesick James, Snooky Pryor, and additional artists. Among the drummers he has favored are Odie Payne, Jr., Fred Below, S.P. Leary, Ted Harvey, K.C. Jones, Robert Covington, Sam Lay, Jessie Green, Willie “Big Eye” Smith, Jim Telmin, and Billy Davenport.
