AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Dr. Lonnie Smith

Artist:Dr.Lonnie Smith

Song:People Make the World Go Round

Album:Rise Up!

Back in the 60s, there were two jazz organists named Lonnie Smith. One went by the name Lonnie Liston Smith and the other one changed his name to Dr. Lonnie Smith and started wearing a turban. He toured with this look until his 2021 death. Dr. Lonnie Smith was born July 3, 1942 in the Buffalo suburb of Lackawanna, NY. He was raised by his mother and stepfather. They had a vocal group and radio show. Smith said his mom was a major musical influence. Smith was in the 50s group The Teen Kings which included Grover Washington Jr. on sax. A local music store owner gave Smith his first Hammond B3 organ. Smith moved to New York City in 1965 and was part of George Benson's first band. They recorded two albums for Columbia. Then Smith recorded his debut album Finger Lookin' Good Soul Organ for Columbia. After Benson moved to A&M, the band split up and Lou Donaldson sent Smith to Blue Note. Smith recorded four albums followed by an album for CTI's Kudu label. He took a break at that point and that's when he changed his name to Dr. Lonnie Smith and began wearing a turban. At the the time, Lonnie Liston Smith was in Gato Barbieri's band. He didn't record as a leader until 1973. But jazz fans still confused the two. Obviously Smith was not a doctor. He told Downbeat that he was a doctor of music. He started wearing the turban as a nod to Sun Ra. But the changes were to distinguish himself from Lonnie Liston Smith. Smith signed with Sonny Lester's Groove Merchant label. After that, Smith recorded for all kinds of labels. He was always touring though. His cover of The Stylistics classic People Make the World Go Round is from the 2009 album Rise Up! on Palmetto Records. Smith recorded four albums for Palmetto. Palmetto owner Matt Balitsaris produced the album and also played guitar. Other musicians were Donald Harrison on alto sax, Peter Bernstein on guitar, Herlin Riley on drums and James Shipp on percussion. As you will see in the video, Smith doesn't have a bassist in his band. This album is available as a digital download. Smith returned to Blue Note for the 2016 album Evolution. He continued to tour and record until he died on Sept. 28, 2021 at age 79. Here's Dr. Lonnie Smith with Greg Skaff on guitar and Herlin Riley on drums performing People Make the World Go Round at the Bridgestone Music Festival at Citibank Hall in Sao Paulo, Brazil June 20, 2008.