Sonny Forriest
Sonny Forriest was born Elbert McKinley Forriest on May 21, 1934 in Pendleton, North Carolina and died on January 10, 1999 in Capital Heights, Maryland. He was an American guitar player. He is best known for playing guitar for The Coasters.
Biography
During the Korean War, Forriest served in the United States Air Force. From 1959 through 1961, he played guitar with The Coasters on such recordings as "Besame Mucho," "Wake Me, Shake Me," "Shoppin' For Clothes," "Thumbin' A Ride," "Girls Girls Girls," "Ridin' Hood," and "Lady Like." He joined the Ray Charles Orchestra in 1962[1] . Forriest recorded four songs for Verve Records. On September 30, 1963, he recorded "In Trouble" (unreleased) and "Now That I'm Lonely." On October 1, 1963, he recorded "I'm Travelin'" and "Wedding Day" (unreleased). He released a solo jazz album called "Tuff Pickin': The Blue Guitar Of Sonny Forriest And His Orchestra" on Decca Records in 1965. He has also done studio work for other artists including Ray Charles and Hank Crawford.
His son Sonny Forriest Jr. is a musician out of New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who has played with groups such as Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The Philly Intruders, and The Hearts Of Stone.
Discography
Solo singles
- Madame Booty Grenn / Mama Keep My Wife at Home: Recorded in Nov. 1959, Red Top Records (128)
- Knockdown / Diddy Hop : Recorded in Nov. 1959, Atco Records (6157)
- Sonny's Groove / Madame Booty Green: Recorded in Nov. 1959, Atco Records (6157) - Unissued
- In Trouble: Recorded in Sept. 1963, Verve Records - Unissued
- Now that I'm Lonely / I'm Traveling: Recorded in Sept./Oct. 1963, Verve Records
- Wedding Day: Recorded in Oct. 1963, Verve Records - Unissued
- Don't Mess With My Woman / Train: Recorded in May 1964 (possibly), Escort Records (106)
- Lil' Sister / It's Very Clear: Recorded in May 1964 (possibly), Escort Records - Unissued
- I Got A Woman/Tuff Pickin' (Decca #31888) (1965)
Solo albums
- Tuff Pickin': The Blue Guitar Of Sonny Forriest & His Orchestra (Decca #DL-4716) (1965)
- Mashin' It : Recorded in Apr. 1965, Decca Records (LP 4716)
- Miss Dee McC Recorded in Apr. 1965, Decca Records (LP 4716)
- Minor Blast: Recorded in Apr. 1965, Decca Records (LP 4716)
- Tuff Pickin': Recorded in May 1965, Decca Records (LP 4716)
- My Soul is Happy: Recorded in May 1965, Decca Records (LP 4716)
- Goodbye Charlie: Recorded in May 1965, Decca Records (LP 4716)
- Unchain my Heart: Recorded in May 1965, Decca Records (LP 4716)
- Bitter with the Sweet: Recorded in May 1965, Decca Records (LP 4716)
- Stepping: Recorded in May 1965, Decca Records (LP 4716)
- What's this Thing Called Love: Recorded in May 1965, Decca Records (LP 4716)
- I Got a Woman: Recorded in May 1965, Decca Records (LP 4716)
Various artist albums
- The Coasters: One By One (Atco #33-123) (1960) (played guitar)
- Hank Crawford: Mr. Blues (Atlantic #SD-1470) (1967) (played guitar)
- Hank Crawford: Low Flame, High Heat (Label M) (2000) (played guitar)
- Ray Charles: Standards (Rhino) (1998) (played guitar)
- Twistin' Rumble Volume 4 (Twistin Rumble #TR-62014) (includes "Madame Bootie Green")
Notes
Reference: Blues Records, Mike Leadbitter & Neil SLaven - ISBN 0-907872-07-7