I saw Lefty Dizz performing a year before he died and it changed my life. I could see he was very sick, but wow! what a great show! It taught me that no matter how you feel, when you get up on stage, you give it everything. That has helped me a lot. Not to fake it, but to give it everything, no matter what. Makes you feel so much better about yourself...
I used to see Lefty Dizz at a host of South Side Clubs in the early 70's like Florences and the Checkerboard and Theresa's. You could tell he pulled a lot of sources to come up with his own Blues Style. Thanks for posting this. I sure miss him.
Old Grandad 101...Lefty's fave drink and he used to buy his fans shots of it...including me. I stumbled onto Lefty one Wednesday at the old Kingston Mines in Chicago and instantly became a fan. Lefty mixed Hound Dog Taylor with Jimi Hendrix and created a style that was uniquely his own. I miss the gutys music and his gregarious nature.
Saw him at the Smithsonian's summer festivals in the mid 70s. He absolutely tore it up. Every blues, rock, and folk loving kid just idolized him. He could play the hell out of the guitar and he was a wicked good showman. What a treat. It was a little piece of some smoky Southside Chicago blues joint transposed to hot summer days in Our Nation's Capital. He should be better known and remembered, though I think anyone who ever saw and heard him live will never forget him.
Also, He taught Jimi Hendrix left handed guitar when they were in the air force togther. Look at his biograpy online if you dont believe me. I think you will be looking at this clip.
Long live Lefty!!!I actually knew him and partied with him when I lived in Chicago in the 80's. He touched me deeply and remembered me like a long lost friend when I revisted hiim at a club he was playing a few years after I left chicago. Went to hist funeral and benefit concert at Buddy Guys blues club and many blues legends performed in his honor. What a guy. Miss you still.Long live the blues.
What a blast from the past!!!!!!!!! All my favorite people. Thank you Dizz for all your help in becoming a blues player. "I love you like a hog loves slop". Those were great times in my life, Blue Mondays at the Checkerboard Lounge. RIP Dizz, Forever Ralph Lapetina Jr.
I used to sit in with Diz at the Kingston Mines. He was a crazy mother. He had a 100 foot cord that he would go out of the club with. He used a hose winder for it..ha..he would walk down the street playing then come back into the club. He played louder than me! He used to leave his guitar laying on the stage after a gig. I would come in to rehearse my band, and it would be laying there all tore up! It used to amaze me!
I saw Lefty Dizz performing a year before he died and it changed my life. I could see he was very sick, but wow! what a great show! It taught me that no matter how you feel, when you get up on stage, you give it everything. That has helped me a lot. Not to fake it, but to give it everything, no matter what. Makes you feel so much better about yourself...
sffilmgirl 7 months ago
I used to see Lefty Dizz at a host of South Side Clubs in the early 70's like Florences and the Checkerboard and Theresa's. You could tell he pulled a lot of sources to come up with his own Blues Style. Thanks for posting this. I sure miss him.
wesrace1 1 year ago
Old Grandad 101...Lefty's fave drink and he used to buy his fans shots of it...including me. I stumbled onto Lefty one Wednesday at the old Kingston Mines in Chicago and instantly became a fan. Lefty mixed Hound Dog Taylor with Jimi Hendrix and created a style that was uniquely his own. I miss the gutys music and his gregarious nature.
mmandmm9 2 years ago
Queen Sylvia plucked that bass with a quarter!
spukus 2 years ago
"Do bread come with that?" fries & gravy at the place next door to the Checkerboard. Always topped with a slice of white bread....
dgnvsn 2 years ago
You must of went to that stand that served the pig's ear sandwiches.
pazvato 2 years ago
Dang this video looks like it's 75 years old. And isn't that Welcome Back Kotter on the keyboard?
yvesami 2 years ago
Saw him at the Smithsonian's summer festivals in the mid 70s. He absolutely tore it up. Every blues, rock, and folk loving kid just idolized him. He could play the hell out of the guitar and he was a wicked good showman. What a treat. It was a little piece of some smoky Southside Chicago blues joint transposed to hot summer days in Our Nation's Capital. He should be better known and remembered, though I think anyone who ever saw and heard him live will never forget him.
yvesami 2 years ago
"Don't send for me cuz I might show up! And if I show up it's gonna be a mess I tell ya" I'd kill to hear Dizz say that again
Davek54 2 years ago
His cd (on JSP?) is a gem RIP Lefty, Many great times at the Checkerboard, the mines and wherever else it was
condor1087 2 years ago
I used to see him often at Sweet Queen Bee's Cocktail Safari Lounge 76th and S. Chicago
shidifu 2 years ago
Also, He taught Jimi Hendrix left handed guitar when they were in the air force togther. Look at his biograpy online if you dont believe me. I think you will be looking at this clip.
killr12002 3 years ago
Lefty didn't teach Jimi guitar in the AirForce.
Cooleemee43 2 years ago
Long live Lefty!!!I actually knew him and partied with him when I lived in Chicago in the 80's. He touched me deeply and remembered me like a long lost friend when I revisted hiim at a club he was playing a few years after I left chicago. Went to hist funeral and benefit concert at Buddy Guys blues club and many blues legends performed in his honor. What a guy. Miss you still.Long live the blues.
killr12002 3 years ago
love that someone really understand thee true blues. LOVE YOU WOODY (HELENA HOLIDAY)
helena1951 3 years ago
Lefty the bad ass lunatic blues man.
Can't help but love him.
Bluezking 3 years ago
What a blast from the past!!!!!!!!! All my favorite people. Thank you Dizz for all your help in becoming a blues player. "I love you like a hog loves slop". Those were great times in my life, Blue Mondays at the Checkerboard Lounge. RIP Dizz, Forever Ralph Lapetina Jr.
rjl9569 3 years ago
need to find woody.
helena1951 3 years ago
Thank you, Gerry. Thank you, youtube.
RIP Lefty
@->->----
paullongball 3 years ago
This was the time I came along I met lefty The year before he died thanks for the good times-Aberdeen Slim
bluzyslim 3 years ago
I used to sit in with Diz at the Kingston Mines. He was a crazy mother. He had a 100 foot cord that he would go out of the club with. He used a hose winder for it..ha..he would walk down the street playing then come back into the club. He played louder than me! He used to leave his guitar laying on the stage after a gig. I would come in to rehearse my band, and it would be laying there all tore up! It used to amaze me!
Hey Diz, keep on jamming,
ADDIE
ADDIElilqueenie 3 years ago
I saw Lefty in the 90s at the 'Band On The Wall' in Manchester,he brought the house down,his trade mark? playing slide without a slide !! Awesome
Pigeon55 3 years ago
The others are Ed Madden trumpet, Woody Williams drus.
twist2002 3 years ago
Thanks!
GerreeCee 3 years ago
You shoulda seen Lefty jammin' with Hound Dog Taylor. They used to go at it 'til 4:00 Am! It was fuckin' great, not to mention loud!
roadrunner505 3 years ago
Looks like Ralph Lapetina playing the keys.
Belle0892 3 years ago
Tanks,I agree about the sound and this was one of the better cuts. He was such a visual cat, thats why I posted it.
GerreeCee 3 years ago
Sounds like the typical sound at the old Checkerboard to me!
I'd like to see more of these even if the sound isn't as good.
Thanks Gerry!
checker764 3 years ago