Also known as 'Stagger Lee', 'Stagolee' and other names. Legendary story about yet another murder that took place in St. louis, just a few blocks from where my last jam happened (Frankie and Johnny). Billy Lyons was murdered by Lee Shelton on Christmas night in 1895. It happened in the Curtis Saloon, when the two started arguing over politics. That led to Billy taking Lee's Stetson hat and a fight ensued. Billy pulled a knife and Lee a gun. Never bring a knife to a gun fight. You can probably
guess what happened next. Lee then picked up his hat and calmly walked away. Lee was a bad man by all accounts. He was a pimp by profession. Since the two songs (this and the 'Frankie and Johnny' songs) happened so close to one another, they ended up being mixed up and parts of the lyrics were often swapped.
John's version is considered the definitive version, and you can hear why. Instead of glorifying it, his version is soft and sympathetic. The first recorded version with lyrics was from 1924 by a vaudeville act called Ford and Ford, credited to Lovie Austin (piano). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwGNzCkJ-tk Ma Rainey and Her Georgis Band (with Louis Armstrong) the following year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyaeJEWiAik It's been done many times by many other artists.
We've always had the dubious distinction of having one of the highest murder rates per capita. And it was even higher back then. There were five other murders that Christmas night, but for some reason this became the one of legend. I'm fascinated by how these things happen. They seem to have spread almost instantly. The same with the Frankie and Johnny story and others.
17 Comments (since 26 Aug 2013)
jackietheripper
Also known as 'Stagger Lee', 'Stagolee' and other names. Legendary story about yet another murder that took place in St. louis, just a few blocks from where my last jam happened (Frankie and Johnny). Billy Lyons was murdered by Lee Shelton on Christmas night in 1895. It happened in the Curtis Saloon, when the two started arguing over politics. That led to Billy taking Lee's Stetson hat and a fight ensued. Billy pulled a knife and Lee a gun. Never bring a knife to a gun fight. You can probably
jackietheripper
guess what happened next. Lee then picked up his hat and calmly walked away. Lee was a bad man by all accounts. He was a pimp by profession. Since the two songs (this and the 'Frankie and Johnny' songs) happened so close to one another, they ended up being mixed up and parts of the lyrics were often swapped.
jackietheripper
John's version is considered the definitive version, and you can hear why. Instead of glorifying it, his version is soft and sympathetic. The first recorded version with lyrics was from 1924 by a vaudeville act called Ford and Ford, credited to Lovie Austin (piano). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwGNzCkJ-tk Ma Rainey and Her Georgis Band (with Louis Armstrong) the following year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyaeJEWiAik It's been done many times by many other artists.
jackietheripper
*Georgia*
jackietheripper
This is from 1928.
jackietheripper
We've always had the dubious distinction of having one of the highest murder rates per capita. And it was even higher back then. There were five other murders that Christmas night, but for some reason this became the one of legend. I'm fascinated by how these things happen. They seem to have spread almost instantly. The same with the Frankie and Johnny story and others.
jackietheripper
The next couple of jams will be a little more hard hitting.
jackietheripper
btw, @franzferdinand2 has another great version by Woody Guthrie playing right now. He's been doing some different versions as well.
crossmaya
fdsfdsfdfsdf
MsSue
Great version
lynn200
what amazing history...thought i hadnt heard of him,i play Woodie a lot,a decent guy.who's your avatar? one day prhaps it'll be the real you....
Axol
great song and love the information - more please
jackietheripper
@lynn200 It's Muddy! My last one was Steve McQueen. I was just messin' with you when I said it was Daniel Craig.
jackietheripper
:)
stumbelina
perfection
lynn200
i did know Steve Mc queen.! i live in hope that for 1 day we can show 'real people avatars....??
PeteLaberge
Real old fashioned folk music. Thanks.