Oliver Sain

Oliver Sain (born March 1, 1932, Dundee, Mississippi – died October 28, 2003, St. Louis, Missouri) was an American saxophonist, songwriter, bandleader, drummer and record producer.^[1]

In 1949, Sain moved to Greenville, Mississippi to join his stepfather, pianist Willie Love, as a drummer in a band fronted by Sonny Boy Williamson, soon leaving to join Howlin’ Wolf where he acted as a drummer on and off for the following decade. After returning from the United States Army draft he took up the saxophone.^[2]

Sain is credited with launching the career of Little Milton, who became a vocalist is Sain’s band, and discovering Bobby McClure and Fontella Bass, who he originally hired as pianist for Little Milton.

Sain wrote "Don't Mess up a Good Thing" which was a number one hit in the US for Bobby McClure in 1965. In the mid-1970s, he recorded his own disco records such as "Bus Stop", "Booty Bumpin' (The Double Bump)" (1975), "Party Hearty" (1976) and "Feel Like Dancing" (1977).

Sain died on October 28, 2003 from bone cancer, which followed on from previous bladder cancer.^[3]

References

1. ^ Soulwalking UK article
2. ^ Allmusic guide entry
3. ^ Obituary in The Independent

Persondata
Name	Sain, Oliver
Alternative names
Short description	American saxophonist, songwriter, bandleader, drummer and record producer
Date of birth	March 1, 1932
Place of birth	Dundee, Mississippi, United States
Date of death	October 28, 2003
Place of death	St. Louis, Missouri, United States