Lester Butler

Lester Butler (12 November 1959 — 10 May 1998 [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0vfrxql5ldke~T1 All Music Guide biography] ] ) was an American blues harmonica player and singer. He achieved fame as the singer/harp player for the Los Angeles, California based blues roots band The Red Devils, (originally known as The Blue Shadows) which released one album, 1992's "King King" (produced by Rick Rubin on his Def American record label).

The group featured drummer Bill Bateman (The Blasters), Paul "The Kid" Size on lead guitar and pianist Gene Taylor.

The Red Devils were known for backing Mick Jagger on the Rubin produced sessions for the album "Wandering Spirit", though those tracks were not issued at the time (they have since cropped up on various bootlegs, and one track was officially released on a Mick Jagger compilation on Rhino Records in 2007). The band also backed actor and sometime musician Bruce Willis, when the action star performed at his Planet Hollywood clubs. The Devils also backed Johnny Cash on music that was not released until the country singer's death, on the boxed set "Unearthed".

After the break up of The Red Devils, Butler also fronted the band 13 featuring Lester Butler, releasing one self-titled record on Hightone Records in 1997.

He achieved his greatest fame in Europe and especially The Netherlands, where the Lester Butler Tribute Band still performs.

Butler died of a drug overdose on 10 May 1998, at the age of 38; two people went to prison for putting cocaine in his body when he was out.

Discography

"King King" - The Red Devils
"13 featuring Lester Butler" - 13 featuring Lester Butler

References