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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZALLEN, Lee(b 2 July 1926, Pittsburgh KS; d 18 October 1994, Los Angeles CA; obits gave birthdate '27) Tenor sax. Took up music while in school in New Orleans. He quit school to get married, then worked with the Paul Gayten band and singer Annie Laurie in the late '40s. In the right place at the right time, he worked for Gayten and Dave Bartholomew on records and became a studio stalwart, recording with Little Richard, Fats Domino, Amos Milburn, Lloyd Price, Etta James, many others: kids danced to his rocking sax all through the '50s. He made his first solo record with Aladdin '56: 'Rockin' AHe n recorded for Ember, toured with Domino and Little Richard; from '65 worked in aircraft factory but kept playing; with Domino again '75, sessioned with the Blasters early '80s. |