Big Jay McNeely is a honking rhythm and blues tenor saxophonist. He is known for his intense playing and his energetic and acrobatic stage performances, but his most successful record was the blues ballad "There is Something on Your Mind".
Cecil James McNeely was born in Watts, California in 1927. He formed a jazz band while in high school, but when asked to record for Savoy records in 1948 he switched to a more raucous style. His first hit was "The Deacon's Hop" in 1949, which went to the top of the R&B charts, followed by another hit, "Wild Wig".
In the early 1950s his ability to whip teenagers into a frenzy was so disturbing to civic authorities in Los Angeles that he was banned from playing in most of Los Angeles county. During the mid 1950s he shared the stage with major rock and roll stars including The Clovers, Bill Haley and His Comets and Little Richard. His biggest hit was his 1959 recording of the slow blues "There is Something on Your Mind" sung by Little Sonny Warner
Big Jay McNeely's career declined in the 1960s and in 1971 he quit the music business to become a postman. However, in 1983 he left the post office and resumed touring and recording.
His performances were widely copied by early white rock and rollers. Other artists who have recorded his songs include B.B. King, Etta James and Freddie Fender.
Deacon's Hop
Green Bay 50s fest 2007
LinksDoo Wop Society on Big Jay McNeely
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