David Dee (3)

Born in Mississippi but St. Louis was the town he has called home since childhood after his mother moved the family in the middle of the night from Mississippi. She was in debt to the owner of a plantation, where the family was living as sharecroppers. She wanted a better life for her family.

“She called the boss man and said she needed $200 to buy Christmas gifts for the kids,” Dee said. Instead, she used the money to buy bus tickets to St. Louis, where she had family."

Dee worked the club scene, including the all-night venues in East St. Louis. Howlin’ Wolf recruited Dee to play bass for him. Albert King did the same. He played behind Jimmy Reed and performed and recorded with Oliver Sain, who presented Dee with a track that needed some lyrics. The collaboration became “Goin’ Fishin’.”