Biography
Born on 29 April 1933 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA, Raymond Hill passed away in the same town on 16 April 1996. As a tenor saxophonist and vocalist he performed alongside numerous figures in blues and R&B. Early on, Jimmy Liggins and Joe Liggins exerted a powerful influence on his style. A close friend and musical colleague of drummer Billy Gayles at the time, Hill first linked up with Ike Turner in the late 1940s. He remained in Turner’s orbit for several years, taking part in both the Tophatters big band and the more widely recognized Kings Of Rhythm. His saxophone can be heard on multiple sides, among them the hit ‘Rocket 88’, where its forceful honking quickly became a signature element of the ensemble’s sound.
Although Hill contributed to countless sessions with Turner and additional artists such as Howlin’ Wolf, he issued only a limited number of recordings under his own name. These appeared on Highwater Records and Sun Records, with the most familiar titles including ‘I’m Back Pretty Baby’, ‘Blue Man’, ‘You’re Driving Me Insane’, ‘The Snuggle’ and ‘Bourbon Street Jump’. Ike Turner supplied guitar on the final two selections. During his tenure in Turner’s group, Hill began a close personal relationship with the band’s young vocalist Annie Mae Bullock, later known as Tina Turner; in 1958 he became the father of her first son.
Although Hill contributed to countless sessions with Turner and additional artists such as Howlin’ Wolf, he issued only a limited number of recordings under his own name. These appeared on Highwater Records and Sun Records, with the most familiar titles including ‘I’m Back Pretty Baby’, ‘Blue Man’, ‘You’re Driving Me Insane’, ‘The Snuggle’ and ‘Bourbon Street Jump’. Ike Turner supplied guitar on the final two selections. During his tenure in Turner’s group, Hill began a close personal relationship with the band’s young vocalist Annie Mae Bullock, later known as Tina Turner; in 1958 he became the father of her first son.
Albums
