| Odie Payne | |
|---|---|
Odie Payne in 1978 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Odie Payne Jr. |
| Born | August 27, 1926 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Died | March 1, 1989 (aged 62) Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genres | Chicago blues[1] |
| Occupations | Drummer |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | Late 1940s–1989 |
| Labels | Various |
Odie Payne (August 27, 1926 – March 1, 1989)[2] was an American Chicago blues drummer. Over his long career Payne worked with a range of musicians including Sonny Boy Williamson II, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Little Johnny Jones, Tampa Red, Otis Rush, Yank Rachell, Sleepy John Estes, Little Brother Montgomery, Memphis Minnie, Magic Sam, Chuck Berry, and Buddy Guy.[2]
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He was born Odie Payne Jr. in Chicago, Illinois.[1] Payne was interested in music from an early age, and did not restrict himself to a narrow musical genre. He studied music in high school and later drafted into the Army, but upon his discharge, Payne graduated from the Roy C. Knapp School of Percussion. By 1949 Payne was playing along with the pianist Little Johnny Jones, before meeting Tampa Red and enlisting into his band. The association lasted for around three years before, in 1952, Payne and Jones joined Elmore James's band, the Broomdusters.[1]
Payne played with the Broomdusters for another three years, although his recording association with them lasted through to 1959. In total he recorded thirty one singles with them, including "The Sky Is Crying". By this time Payne had become a favored session musician appearing through that decade on the Cobra label, with Otis Rush, Magic Sam, and Buddy Guy. His playing also can be heard on various Chess records, including the Chuck Berry hit singles "Nadine", "You Never Can Tell", "Promised Land" and 1964's "No Particular Place to Go."[1] All appeared on the Berry's 1982 compilation album, The Great Twenty-Eight.
Noted for his usage of the cowbell, bass drum pedal, and extended cymbal and drum rolls, Payne's double shuffle drumming technique was much copied and utilised by both Fred Below and Sam Lay.[1] The technique called for Payne to use both his hands to effect the shuffle effect.[3]
Payne appears to have a songwriting credit to his name for the song "Say Man," which was recorded by both Bo Diddley and Willie Mabon; although Payne's name certainly did not appear on every version published.[4][5]
Odie Payne died in Chicago in March 1989, at the age of 62.[2]
