Baby Huey and the Babysitters

Baby Huey is the quintessential lost soul hero. Taking his name from the animated duck of the late 40's. In 1963, Ramey, organist/trumpeter Melvin "Deacon" Jones, and guitarist Johnny Ross founded a band called Baby Huey & The Babysitters, which became a popular local act and released several 45 RPM singles, including "Beg Me", "Monkey Man", "Messin' With the Kid" and "Just Being Careful". The indiana-born singer's story is littered with tradgedy, substance abuse and remarkable music.

Baby Huey is the quintessential lost soul hero. Taking his name from the animated duck of the late 40's. In 1963, Ramey, organist/trumpeter Melvin "Deacon" Jones, and guitarist Johnny Ross founded a band called Baby Huey & The Babysitters, which became a popular local act and released several 45 RPM singles, including "Beg Me", "Monkey Man", "Messin' With the Kid" and "Just Being Careful". The indiana-born singer's story is littered with tradgedy, substance abuse and remarkable music.

Weighing in at a mighty 350lbs (rising to 400 around his premature death from a heart attack at the age of 26 in October 1970), Huey cut his teeth on the mid-'60's Chicago soul scene, but in 1969 met Curtom boss Curtis Mayfield, who was impressed with the young singers vocal range (think mid-way between Howard Tate's depth and Sam Cookes ability to fly). Susequent recording sessions saw Huey - real name James Ramey - delve further into rampant heroin addiction, which led to his death prior to the album The Living Legend's 1971 release. Today it is a sort after slice of psychedelic soul, defined by a stunning cover of Sam Cookes A Change Is Gonna Come, which boasts a clear afro-delic Sly Stone influence during i'ts nine minute-plus exposition. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL..