Mr. Lee

Album: Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974, Vol. 3 (1955-1958) (1957)
Charted: 6
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  • Lyrics currently unavailable Writer/s: Emma Ruth Pought, Helen Gathers, Jannie Pought, Laura E. Webb, Reather E. Dixon
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Comments: 8

  • John Felix Koziol from Virginia Beach. VirginiaIt amazes me how some songs that never make it to number one sometimes stick around longer than those that do. Mr. Lee by The Bobbettes certainly is one of those songs.
  • Al Heitzer from New YorkSeptember 1957 Alan Freed Show in Brooklyn was not the same one seen and heard by Barry of Saquoit, NY. My information is that the Bobbettes never appeared on an Alan Freed Show stage which does sound a bit strange as their 'Mr. Lee' was a big hit at the time.
  • Paulo Pinto from Rio De Janeiro - BrasilI remember when I was young and used to hear this song from a 78 RPM; but in my memory the sax solo was longer and the backing vocal a little bit different. It's a pitty that I could never find that version anywhere.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn September 2, 1957, the Bobbettes performed "Mr. Lee" on the Dick Clark ABC-TV weekday-afternoon program 'American Bandstand'...
    At the time the song was at #8 on Billboard's Top 100 chart, two weeks later it would peak at #6 {for 2 weeks} and it spent almost a half-year on the Top 100 {24 weeks}...
    The NYC quintet had four other Top 100 entries, "I Shot Mr. Lee" {#52 in 1960}, "Have Mercy Baby" {#66 in 1960}, "Dance with Me Georgie" {#95 in 1960}, and answer* record "I Don't Like It Like That" {#72 in 1961}...
    * Answer record to "I Like It Like That" by Chris Kenner, it peaked at #2 {for 3 weeks} on July 31st, 1961.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn September 11th 1957, Alan Freed's 'The Biggest Show of Stars For 1957' concert tour played the Cincinnati Gardens in Cincinnati, Ohio...
    Appearing in the concert were The Crickets, The Bobbettes, The Everly Brothers, Bubby Knox, Frankie Lyman, Eddie Cochran, and Chuck Berry...
    At the time "That'll Be the Day" was at #3 on the Billboard's Top 100 chart; "Mr. Lee" at #7, "Bye, Bye Love" at #10, "Hula Love" at #21, "Goody Goody" at #24, "Drive-In Show" at #82, and "School Days" at #98...
    The rest of the bill featured Fats Domino, Paul Anka, Clyde McPhatter, LaVern Baker, The Drifters, Johnnie & Joe, the Spaniels, and Jimmy Bowen...
    I was 12 years old at the time and would have loved to been in one of the Cinny Gardens' 10,210 seats.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn June 28th 1960, "I Shot Mr. Lee" by the Bobbettes entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #95; and August 1st, 1960 it peaked at #52 (for 1 week) and spent 8 weeks on the Top 100...
    Both sides of their next release made the Top 100; "Have Mercy Baby" peaked at #66 while the B-side, "Dance With Me Georgie" reached #95...
    Sadly, four of the group's five members have passed away; Jannie Pought (1945 - 1980), Reather Dixon (1945 - 2014), Laura Webb (1941 - 2001), and Helen Gathers (1942-2011)
    May they R.I.P.
    Surviving member Emma Pought celebrated her 72nd birthday two months ago on April 28th, 2014.
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScIf you haven't heard the sequel "I Shot Mr. Lee" you should. It's memorable.
  • Debra from Wakeeney, KsThis song was featured in an episode of "The Cosby Show". When Claire Huxtable reunites with old school friends, they lipsinc to this song while dancing around the livingroom.
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