Grady Gaines and the Texas Upsetters
1950s
Grady Gaines, Houston saxophonist and recording bandleader for Don Robey, met Richard Penniman. They recorded together at Duke/Peacock. Richard Penniman later became Little Richard, and asked Grady to lead the Upsetters. They recorded many classics such as “Long Tall Sally,” “Send Me Some Lovin,” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” and Grady appeared in three movies with Richard. At Little Richard’s retirement, Grady hired Dee Clark as band vocalist, and continued to tour.
1960s
Sam Cooke hired Grady and the Upsetters to be his band. They recorded “Bring It On Home,” “Twisting The Night Away,” and many more. After Cooke’s death, Grady and the Upsetters continued playing at all the great houses such as The Apollo, and the Paladium, with all the great artists: Diana Ross and the Supremes, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Bo Didley, Etta James, Jackie Wilson, and many, many others.
1970s
Grady came off the road, and returned home to Houston. He recorded “There Is Something On Your Mind,” and formed the House Rockers, who performed in Houston as Don Robey’s house band until Robey’s death.
1980s
Disco took its toll on live music in the U.S. Grady toured Europe, and recorded his first solo album, “Full Gain.” In the late ’80s, Grady performed at Blues Festivals across the nation.
1990s
Grady recorded “Down and Dirty, Live At Tipitina’s,” and “House Of Plenty.” He toured Europe with Fats Domino; and the Texas Blues Preservation Society honored Grady with its first annual Blues Heritage Award, citing him as being a Texas Blues Ambassador Around the World and a Pioneer in the Creation of Rock & Roll. In 1993, Grady Gaines played at one of President Clinton’s inaugural parties and was proclaimed Blues Artist Of The Year at the Juneteenth Festival in Houston.
2000s
Playing weddings, club dates, mardi gras parties, company holiday parties, charity galas, proms, ranch parties, political fundraisers, debutante parties, and more, Grady and the Upsetters have had hundreds of satisfied clients in the new millennium. The band recorded “Just Start” for Gulf Coast Records in 2002; played the Gulf Coast Rhythm & Blues Festival, the BB King Blues Festival, and a number of Houston Press Music Awards Showcases.
Sample Song List
Harlem Shuffle
Land of 1,000 Dances
634-5789
I Can’t Turn You Loose
Mustang Sally
Kiss
Get Ready
Shout
Let’s Stay Together
Heard It Through the Grapevine
Billie Jean
Baby Work Out
Soul Man
I Feel Good
How Sweet It Is
Celebration
Under the Boardwalk
Car Wash
Respect
Respect Yourself
Love & Happiness
Wonderful World
Twistin’ the Night Away
What I Say
Proud Mary
For Once In My Life
Brick House
At Last
Crazy Love
Super Freak
Midnight Train to Georgia
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Stormy Monday
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg
Dock of the Bay
Natural Woman
I’d Rather Go Blind
Don’t Stop the Music
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