Byron Gipson (2)

American R&B singer, writer and bandleader, active beginning 1950s. Known as Byron "Slick" Gipson and Byron "Wild Child" Gipson. Born January 10, 1930, in Burlington, Iowa; died January 30, 1994, age 64. Raised on a farm in Gulfport, Illinois, then moved to Iowa and then Hannibal, Missouri. Served in the Korean War in 1950, then relocated to California, discovered during a talent show in Los Angeles. Began writing and recording songs for Specialty Records in Los Angeles as Slick Gipson and The Sliders (7). In 1955, served as Little Richard's road manager. Left the tour in 1956 and relocated to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, then Quincy, Illinois. In 1956, met Freddie Tieken and formed Freddie Tieken and the Rockers. In 1959, left that group and relocated to Peoria, Illinois, and continued performing with several bands. Signed with Chess Records in 1963, but the songs he recorded were never released. In 1966, formed his last group, the Peoria Soul Merchants. In 1967, performed as one-man band, Wild Child Gipson and His Funk Machine. Attended Illinois Central College and Illinois State University, where he studied music, and later attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, to study sound production. Built a home studio, and continued recording and performing and recording through the 1970s until the 1990s.