Boo Boo Davis

1943, Drew Mississippi. American electric blues musician.

James 'Boo Boo' Davis was born on November 4, 1943 in Drew, Mississippi. He started playing drums with his family band when he was seven years old. At that time he didn't have a drum kit so he used a lard can instead. This band, called the Lard Can Band, featured his father Sylvester sr. on vocals, his brother Sylvester jr. on bass, his younger brother John on guitar and his sister Clara also on vocals. His brother Sylvester jr is also known as S. L. Davis. This band played in Mississippi cities as Minnow City and Rulevine and during this time they also backed up young B.B. King who was at that time completely unknown outside Mississippi.

Boo Boo moved to St Louis and started playing real drums. His first gig was with Doc Terry. After he left Doc Terry he started a band with Little Aaron who composed the song "East St Louis" on Boo Boo's new CD. That band became one of the hottest backup bands in St Louis and they backed up great blues legends like Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Milton and Elmore James. In 1972 Boo Boo formed another Davis family band featuring his brother John Davis on guitar and S.L. Davis on bass. This trio, known as the Davis Brothers Band was the weekend house band at a club called Tabby's Red Room in East St Louis for 18 years. They played from 2 to 6 a.m. every friday and saturday.