Henry Lee Williams, known to the Southern Soul and Blues Nation as Lee "Shot" Williams died on November 25, 2011, aged 73 in Chicago, Illionis from undisclosed causes.
Henry Lee Williams, known to the Southern Soul and Blues Nation as Lee "Shot" Williams died on November 25, 2011, aged 73 in Chicago, Illionis from undisclosed causes. He grew up singing in local gospel groups in Mississippi, but was soon to switch over to blues and r&b after teaming up with his cousin fellow Blues man, Little Smokey Smothers. His mother gave him the nickname "Shot." Henry Lee Williams recalled that "I put my suit on, when I was a kid going to church, and my mother would call me "her little shot", so after Little Smokey Smothers and I got to Chicago and started playing music, they started calling me 'shot'." "Shot's" first real recording success was his hit single "I Like Your Style," released in 1969. Several more singles followed including the very popular "Drop Your Laundry Baby," which is still a staple on Black Southern radio. Lee "Shot's" album releases include "Country Disco" for Henry Stone's TK label, and a Japanese release on Vivid Sound in 1994 entitled "A Shot of Rhythm and Blues." His release "Cold Shot" on Black Magic Records proved to be a turning point in his career. The album received wide critical acclaim and was voted the Best Blues Album of 1995 by the Living Blues readers' poll. His first release on Ecko Records is appropriately entitled "Hot Shot." The songs are a mixture of Blues and Soul / R&B but "Shot" infuses each one with his own personality and soulful mastery. Highlights include the catchy lead off tune "I'll Take The Risk," the medium Blues "Make Me Holler" and the highly infectious "Down In The Hood." Funeral Services for Lee "Shot" Williams were held at Mw St Johns Grand Lodge located at 7443 S Ingleside Ave Chicago, Illinois 60619.