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Biography
Robbie Lee (Robert Lee Lollis) was born and raised in the foothills of upstate South Carolina in the small town of Easley. Fascinated by music for as long as he can remember. His uncle H.C. gave him a Harmony acoustic at the age of seven providing he would learn to play it. Little Robbie learned some chords out of a Mel Bay chord book, played “Down in the Valley” and earned the guitar. Even got to play in his 2nd grade band at school, ”Hoo yeah, hit the big time.” Unfortunately a few months later, he and his little brother were horsing around and fell on the Harmony and smashed it. Oops.
Flash forward to the age of 12. Robbie, now Rob, and his best friend Dean decided to form a band. Rob worked during the summer with his Dad and Uncle as a brick mason’s laborer to earn the money to buy himself a bass and a small amplifier. Robbie remembers, “ Man that bass was a piece of crap. Looked like a hofner like Paul McCartney played, but the strings were like a half inch off the neck. “ Still to Rob it was gold, and he and Dean, who played guitar practiced and practiced teaching themselves to play.
That’s the way it went for years. Dean on guitar, Rob on the bass. Rob played bass in various bands in the area for a number of years. Now on his own time, he was learning to play blues. He loved the blues, but the bands and musicians he played with at the time frowned on the blues as simple and old hat. So Rob played his blues at home, played bass out in the world. Keeping his blues playing to himself.
Flash forward again a few years. After the birth of his daughter, Rob got a real job. And he and Dean would play together every chance they got. Rob on bass, Dean on guitar. One day during one of these jam sessions, they were taking a break and Rob started noodling around on Dean’s guitar. Dean was amazed, and said, “Damn man, when did you learn to play that?” Shortly after that Dean bought himself a bass, and the guys switched. For the next 15 yrs Dean played bass and Robbie played his blues.
Present time. Dean passed away in October of 2003. After 30 years of playing together, Rob put his strat away for a bit. Currently looking for a bassist and drummer, Rob decided to just play on his own. Playing drums, bass, as well as his strat. Recording on his Tascam and his Mac. Rob says, “ I figured it would give me reason to play, while I wait on the right guys to get this show on the road.” What you have here are those recordings. Rob’s comment on the recordings, “Well they ain’t much, but maybe somebody will like ‘em.”
Check out Robbie's myspace.
http://www.myspace.com/robbieleeblackbottom
Featured Artist on
Byte Me Radio
http://www.bytemeradio.com/
Hippo Radio, UK
http://www.hipporadio.co.uk/
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