Alvin Sykes

Alvin Sykes (1940-9/17/06) was an American drummer and vocalist. Born in Houston Texas to an extended family of musicians that include the late Johnny Guitar Watson and Charles Brown, Alvin lived and breathed music his entire life. Alvin started playing drums at age five at St. Johns Baptist Church in Houston and by the age of twelve he was playing drums for cousin Cab Calloway. Alvin’s musical resume read like a who’s who of jazz, soul, pop and blues music in the 20th century. He has played with the likes of: B.B King, Albert King, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton and The Jackson Five to name just a few. Alvin lost his life in an automobile accident on September 17,2006 on his way to perform in Sacramento, CA.