 Tommy
Bankhead's versatile blues style combined elements of the Delta blues
and his interpretation of the more urbanized guitar styles of Pee
Wee Crayton, Lowell Fulsom and Elmore
James. His vocals were influenced by Junior
Parker, Brook Benton
and Fenton
Robinson. While pursuing a musical career, Mr. Bankhead also worked as a security guard and theatre manager at the Majestic Theatre in East St. Louis. He served in the City of St. Louis Sheriff's Department from 1977 to 1997, advancing from deputy sheriff to sergeant. Mr. Bankhead's recording credits, while limited, included a late 1950's 45 single, "Please Mr. Foreman" done in Memphis, Tennessee and a 1983 album, "Bankhead(a.ka. Please Mr. Foreman)," which was re-released as a CD in 1999. Most recently, he recorded a CD entitled, "Message To St. Louis" which was released earlier this year in May. In his review of "Message To St. Louis," Tom Hyslop, of Blues Revue Magazine, noted that "Tommy Bankhead is a big talent.the resemblance is almost eerie to Lowell Fulsom.Message To St. Louis", long overdue, is an exceptional record in a niche seldom explored these days." During the 1950's, 60's, 70's and early 1980's, Mr. Bankhead was a popular fixture at clubs in North St. Louis, Midtown and East St. Louis such as Ned Love's, Sadie's Personality Bar, Clark's Baby Doll Lounge and Miss Bea's Lounge. He was accompanied by a who's who of St. Louis blues musicians during this period which notably included his longstanding drummer and band manager, Ben Wells. Because of declining health, Mr. Bankhead curtailed his live performances greatly; he appeared regularly with bassist John May and the Crying Shame Band at BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups and on occasional special shows until December of this year.Mr. Bankhead is survived by four sons, Tommy Bankhead, Jr. and Robert Loprez Bankhead, Alonzo Williams of St. Louis and DeJuan Bankhead of East St. Louis, three daughters, Louise Bankhead, of Memphis, TN, Addie Yvette and Fannie Jeanette Bankhead, both of St. Louis; a brother, Robert Bankhead, of Chicago, IL and a sister, Mary R. Purnell, of Chicago, IL. A musical tribute jam session was conducted to honor this local treasure. Excerpts from an obituary written by St. Louis harmonica master Mr.Kieth Doder. |