Smiley Lewis
Smiley Lewis | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Overton Amos Lemons |
| Also known as | Smiling Lewis |
| Born | July 5, 1913 DeQuincy, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | October 7, 1966 (aged 53) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues, New Orleans R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1930s–1960s |
Overton Amos Lemons (July 5, 1913 – October 7, 1966), known as Smiley Lewis, was an American New Orleans rhythm and blues singer and guitarist. The music journalist Tony Russell wrote that "Lewis was the unluckiest man in New Orleans. He hit on a formula for slow-rocking, small-band numbers like 'The Bells Are Ringing' and 'I Hear You Knocking' only to have Fats Domino come up behind him with similar music with a more ingratiating delivery. Lewis was practically drowned in Domino's backwash."