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Dennis has
been making history from Delta Blues to Early Rock - N- Roll and he still is!
From his humble beginning in the sleepy little town of Rosedale, Mississippi , Dennis Binder has been making history in the music world. From his early days as a child growing up and singing Gospel music he has matured in his stature and his musical abilities. He began as an adult in the world of Delta music, the juke joints, the clubs of Chicago and around the world. Then he came into contact with Ike Turner and Sam Phillips owner of Sun Records and he laid down the tracks that would be the beginnings of what became Rock-N-Roll. Dennis was right there in the midst of it all back when Jackie was cutting Rocket 88 and Elvis was making his first cut of " That's All Right Moma. Dennis says he believes that Elvis has never been given the credit he deserves for opening the doors to black entertainers around the world. Sam Phillips new that if he could find a white boy that could sing the rockin blues of the Delta he would have a star a real Big Star and he was right 100% right. Elvis may have picked up his music and his style in the juke joints of Mississippi and by listening to the Black Bluesmen of that time but he was a launching pad that propelled them all to fame. Dennis was one of those who had the doors swing wide open to him thanks to the King of Rock-N-Roll.
Dennis Binder was born in Rosedale, Mississippi, on November 18, 1928. He began his career playing spirituals on piano. When he was young, his family moved to St. Louis and then in 1939 up to Chicago, where he got interested in the blues. Binder first shows up as a leader in Chicago on October 1, 1953, when he posted an indefinite contract with the Heat Wave with Musicians Union Local 208. On November 19 of the same year he posted an indefinite contract with the Fiesta Club. Heading south, he recorded a single under producer Ike Turner in Memphis in 1954 that got released on Modern. Returning to Chicago, Binder worked the Heat Wave in September 1954 (contract posted on September 2). During another trip to Chicago, Binder and his band knocked on Leonard Allen's door in May of 1955. The band he brought to the May 12 session included, besides Binder on piano, Vincent "Guitar Red" Duling on guitar, Bob Prindell on drums, and Raymond Hill and Bobby Fields on tenor saxes. Al Smith supplied the bass, without bringing ruination on the proceedings this time. Shortly after the session, Binder and band picked up work at the Fiesta Cotton Club (two contracts, one for 1 day and one "indefinite," were accepted and filed by Local 208 on June 2). In early July Binder started being featured at the Grand Terrace (indefinite contract posted on July 7).
In May 1956 Dennis Binder was back in town for a long-term engagement at the Rocket Lounge (he filed an indefinite contract and a 5 month contract with Local 208 on May 3). On August 2, he filed an indefinite contract with Tommy's Lounge.
The Who's Who -
Dennis has worked with almost anybody who is anybody in Blues and early rock-n-roll. Some of those are listed here: Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Robin Night Hawk, Junior Wells, Earl Hooker, Sunnyland Slim, Bill Walker, Tampa Red, Muddy Waters, Lou Rauls, Count Bassie, The Coasters, The Drifters, The Midnighters, John Guitar Watson, Ike Turner, Tina Turner, Diane Washington, The Inkspots, Raymond Hill, Billy the Kid Emerson, Jackie Brenston, Floyd Dickerson, T. Bone Walker, Freddy King, L.C. Cooke, Lloyd Fulton, Clean Head Vincent, J.C. Harmon, Jerry Cramer, Stacy Mitchhart and has played in clubs from Chicago to the Mississippi Delta and all across the USA and in Europe.
The Early Band -
In Clarksdale, Mississippi at an old shack belonging to Ike Turner sessions were produced via a real to real recorder sitting in the middle of the room with mikes for the vocals. The players that recorded there were similar to Motowns Funk Bothers, playing for anyone who recorded at the shack. Dennis and his band made up this group of players. There was Dennis on piano, sometimes Ike Turner on piano or guitar, Bobby Fields on Sax, Eugene Fox on Sax, Raymond Hill on Sax, Bob Prindale on Drums, John Hun on Upright Bass Guitar, and later added to the band in Chicago was Vincent Duling on Guitar he did not play on the Clarksdale sessions. The Clarksdale group was Dennis's band, they played in Chicago later on and in Memphis at Sun Studios.
Sam Phillips loved Dennis and recorded his songs Love You Love You Baby and She's A Pretty Girl. " Most of us guys owe Sam a lot for his help and we owe a lot to Elvis for helping our music get recognized in the days of early rock-n-roll." (Dennis)
Dennis has recorded for Chess, Modern, United, Sun, Dove, Cottonwood and Ojack Records. His early hits are featured on a Delmar, Ace Records remake put together by Ike Turner. Songs like the The Longman Blues, I Miss You So and the infamous "Early Times. His newest release is for Ojack Records and is incredibly "Dennis". It was produced by Mark Hendry and Dennis at Big Sugar Studios in Texas. Dennis can be booked by contacting Dynamic Artist Entertainment a Texas based Agency.
Various Artists -
The United Records Story (Delmark
755) July 20
— United Records was the first successful black-owned record
company; it was operated by Leonard Allen from 1951-57 and
issued jazz, blues, gospel, R&B, Doo Wop, etc.
— sampler featuring stellar tracks highlighting the label's
history including previously unissued Junior Wells, tracks on
CD for the first time by Leo Parker, Della Reese, Tiny Grimes,
Grant Jones, Chris Woods, Jimmy Coe, Johnny Wicks' Swinging
Ozarks plus Jimmy Forrest, Tab Smith, J. T. Brown, Robert
Anderson, Four Blazes, Alfred Harris, The Pastels, Ray
McKinstry, Memphis Slim with Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Robert
Nighthawk, Morris Pejoe, Dennis Binder, Paul Bascomb and
Roosevelt Sykes
Chess Records
The Chess Brothers purchased 2120 South Michigan Avenue in 1957, hired 20-year old Jack Weiner to design their state-of-the-art studio, and proceeded to "turn the music industry on its ear." The unique "Chess" sound that emanated from its walls was a result of its musicians, studio (where none of its four walls were parallel — with several held on "clips" to allow desired reverberation), and electronic tube equipment. The room’s acoustical dynamics were key to defining the "Chess" sound.
Music made at Chess is the basis for all rock ‘n’ roll we hear today. Chess was a very significant record label that made a huge impression on European groups, including the Rolling Stones, who took their name from the widely popular Muddy Waters tune, "Rollin’ Stone."
Despite his success with local talent, Leonard Chess, aided by Sam Phillips, began to look outside Chicago for talent. Phillips supervised Memphis pianist Roscoe Gordon's smash "Booted" (1952) and shipped Chess masters by Rufus Thomas, Dr. Isaiah Ross, Joe Hill Louis, and Bobby Bland, but his top contribution to the label's legacy was Chester Arthur Burnett, a.k.a. Howlin' Wolf. With Ike Turner playing the piano both sides of Wolf's first Phillips-produced Chess 78, "How Many More Years" and "Moanin' At Midnight," proved major sellers in 1951. By 1953, Wolf had left Memphis for Chicago, recording more hits including "Who Will Be Next" and "Smokestack Lightnin'." Among this group that came up from Memphis was the "Longman" Dennis Binder.
Before Elvis Presley walked through the doors, Sun was making history but very little money. Ike Turner, a deejay from Clarksville, Mississippi, arranged a session with teenaged Jackie Brenston. Their version of "Rocket 88,' recorded by Sam Phillips in 1951, is considered by many to be the first rock record. Also during this time Sam produced sessions with Dennis Binder and other future Blues greats. When Elvis came into the studio he recorded "That's All Right Moma" and the rest is now history!
Modern Records
The Modern label
was formed in 1945 in Los Angeles, California, by Saul and
Jules Bihari. Modern recorded rhythm & blues, country &
western, jazz, popular, blues, and gospel. The subsidiary RPM
was formed in 1950 and released blues, jazz, rhythm & blues
and rock & roll. The subsidiary Crown was formed in 1954 and
after three years (starting in 1957), was used only for budget
priced albums. The Riviera label subsidiary was a budget label
that operated in 1959. The Kent label subsidiary was formed in
1958 and issued only singles, but the name was used again from
1965 to 1971 for album issues. All of these labels were very
much a family affair, as the President of all the labels was
Saul Bihari, his brothers Jules and Joe served as Vice
Presidents, and brother Lester was head of Sales and
Promotion. At the Modern, RPM and Crown labels, A&R was
handled by Joe and Jules Bihari, Maxwell Davis, Austin McCoy,
Jake Porter, Lester Sill and Ike Turner.
In the late '40s and early '50s, Modern/RPM was able to
attract many fine blues performers to the labels, including
B.B. King, Roscoe Gordon, Elmore James, Smokey Hogg, Lightnin'
Hopkins, Little Willie Littlefield, Jimmy McCracklin, Jimmy
Witherspoon, Pee Wee Crayton,
Dennis Longman Binder
and John Lee Hooker. Modern also leased masters
from Sam Phillips in Memphis, and was the first label to
release material by the legendary Howlin' Wolf. A split
between the Bihari brothers and Sam Phillips occurred when
Phillips started leasing the Wolf masters to Chess in Chicago.
Denis Binder & His Orchestra
Modern 930 - I Miss You So / Early Times - 1954 With Ike Turner Piano
Here is just a few of those oldies...You will see Dennis on this list!
926 - Jimmy McCracklin - Blues Blasters Boogie / The Panic's On
927 - Jerry Thomas - Lost Monday / Don't Have To Worry
930 - Dennis Binder - I Miss You So / Early Times
931 - John Lee Hooker - I Wonder Little Darlin' / Jump Me
933 - Marvin & Johnny - Cherry Pie / Tick Tock
Delmark Records
Long Man Blues - WOW What An Album - Here Dennis Shines Again!
| 1. | Blue Coat Man - Eddie Boyd | 14. | I'm A Lover (Alternative) Dennis 'Long Man' Binder |
| 2. | Disgusted - L.C. McKinley | 15. | The Stuff I Like - Eddie Ware |
| 3. | Be My Companion - L.C. McKinley | 16. | Lonely Broken Heart - Eddie Ware |
| 4. | Tortured Blues - L.C. McKinley | 17. | Adam's Rib - Cliff Butler |
| 5. | Weeping Willow Blues - L.C. McKinley | 18. | Jealous Hearted Woman - Cliff Butler |
| 6. | Empty Bed - Ernest Cotton | 19. | Tired Of Being Mistreated - Edward Gates White |
| 7. | I Could But I AIn't - Jack Cooley | 20. | Love Is A Mistake - Edward Gates White |
| 8. | Rain On My Window - Jack Cooley | 21. | Mother-In-Law - Edward Gates White |
| 9. | I Feel So Fine - Harold Burrage | 22. | Rocakabye Baby - Edward Gates White |
| 10. | You're Gonna Cry - Harold Burrage | 23. | I Stayed Away Too Long - Arbee Stidham |
| 11. | I'm A Lover - Dennis 'Long Man' Binder | 24. | Look Me Straight In The Eye - Arbee Stidham |
| 12. | Feel So Good - Dennis 'Long Man' Binder | 25. | I Stayed Away Too Long (Alternative) - Arbee Stidham |
| 13. | The
Long Man - Dennis 'Long Man'
Binder |
Crown Records CLP-5367/CST-367 - 1963 US
IKE TURNER ROCKS THE BLUES (LP)
Hey Miss Tina (=Cubano Jump)/Stringin' Along (=Go To It)/I
Miss You So (Dennis Binder:vcl)/Nobody
Wants Me/The Way You Treat Me (=The Way You Used To Treat Me)/Bayou
Rock (=Cuban Getaway)/The Wild One (=Loosely)/All The Blues, All The
Time (Feeling Good-Love My Baby/Please Love Me-Boogie Chillun-Dust
My Broom-Rockin' And Rolling-Hoochie Coochie Man-Woke Up This
Morning) (UK version: Ember EMB 3395, 1968)
Rhino Records R2 71819 - 1994 US
I LIKE IKE! - THE BEST OF IKE TURNER (CD)
Jackie Brenston & his Delta Cats:
Rocket 88/My Real Gone Rocket/Dennis
Binder & his Orchestra: I Miss You
So/the Sly Fox: Hoo-Doo Say/Willie King with the Ike Turner Band:
Peg Leg Woman/Ike Turner: I'm On Your Trail/I Know You Don't Love
Me/Ike Turner, Carlson Oliver & Little Ann (=Tina Turner): Boxtop/Ike
Turner's Kings of Rhythm: Matchbox (version b)/Down & Out/Icky
Renrut: Ho...Ho/Hey...Hey/Ike & Tina Turner's Kings of
Rhythm: Prancing/Steel Guitar Rag/Stacy Johnson: Consider
Yourself/Ike Turner & his Kings of
P-Vine PCD 3031/2
Rocks The Blues
2 CDs, 44 tracks, 123 min., recommended. Fine collection of
rockin' blues sides from Ike Turner and his Orchestra recorded
between the early and mid-1950s for the Modern, RPM, Flair, and
Blues & Rhythm labels. You get Cuban Get Away/ You're Driving
Me Insane/ Troubles And Heartaches, and a few others with just
Turner & co., but most cuts feature them backing the likes of
Dennis Binder, Lover Boy, Little Johnny Burton, Clayton Love, Billy
Gayles, Mary Sue, Mat Cockrell, and others. Other interesting
moments include Lonnie "the Cat" doing I Ain't Drunk, Eugene
Fox's play let Fox's Dream, Brother Bell's Whole Heap Of
Mama, and an alternate take of Johnny Wright's The World Is
Yours. What's not to like? (JC)
DENNIS
BINDER: Early Times/ I Miss You So/ Nobody Wants Me/ You Got Me Way
Down Here/ BROTHER BELL: If You Feel Froggish/ Whole Heap Of Mama/
LITTLE JOHNNY BURTON: One Day/ Talking About Me/ Walk My Way Home/
Why Did You Go Away/ MATT COCKERELL: Baby Please/ Gypsy Blues/
EUGENE FOX: Fox's Dream/ BILLY GAYLES: I Miss You So/ I'm Tired Of
being Dogged Around/ My Heart In Your Hands/ Night Howler/ IKE &
BONNIE: Lookin' For My Baby/ My Heart Belongs To You/ LONNIE "THE
CAT": I Ain't Drunk/ The Road I Have To Travel/ CLAYTON LOVE: Why
Don't You Believe In Me?/ Wicked Little Baby/ LOVER BOY: Love Is
Scarce/ Nobody Seems To Want Me/ The Way You Used To Treat Me/ Why
Did You Leave Me/ MARY SUE: Everybody's Talking/ Love Is A Gamble/
IKE TURNER: All The Blues All The Time/ Cuban Getaway/ Cubano Jump
(Hey Miss Tina)/ Go To It (Stringing Along)/ Loosely (The Wild One)/
Troubles & Heartaches/ You're Driving Me Insane/ J.W. WALKER:
Can't You See My Baby/ J.W.'s Blues/ Sitting Here Wondering/ Why
Won't You Be True?/ JOHNNY WRIGHT: Suffocate/ The World Is Yours/
The World Is Yours (take 5)
Ace Records (UK) - CDCHD 553
Rhythm Rockin' Blues
20 tracks, 60 mins, highly recommended Just what it says - lotsa rhythm, lotsa rockin' and lots of blues featuring the hot Kings Of Rhythm fronted by singer, guitarist, piano player, arranger and talent scout Izear Luster (aka Ike) Turner. Opening with the millionth reissue of Jackie Brenston's Rocket 88 from 1951 no doubt to lure in the less knowledgeable the rest is devoted to recordings made in 1954 including a number that were not originally issued as singles. The band included Raymond Hill, Eugene Fox and Bobby Fields/ saxes, the first Mrs Turner Bonnie on piano, Jesse Knight Jr. on electric bass and Robert Prindell/ drums. There are three vocals by Ike (under the pseudonym "Lover Boy") and a couple of instrumentals including the fascinating 8 1/2 minute All The Blues, All The Time where Ike plays a medley of blues favorites of the time emulating the styles of Matt Murphy, B.B. King, Elmore James and others. The rest of the album features vocals by Billy Gale (Gayles), J.W. Walker (later known as Big Moose Walker with very hot guitar by Ike), Dennis Binder, Johnny Wright (his intense The World Is Yours is a variation on Guitar Slim's The Things I Used To Do and features more great string bending guitar from Ike), Little Johnny Burton and Lonnie "The Cat". Great sound and excellent notes by Ray Topping. (FS)
Look At The Tunes Dennis Wrote And Recorded On This Ike Turner Classic!
Rhythm
Rockin' Blues
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And his story is still in the making -------Book Dennis Today At Your Events!
Tuesday, 09 June 2009
Call: 214-230-4846
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