Young Jessie

Young Jessie, born Obediah Donnell "Obie" Jessie on December 28, 1936, in Lincoln Manor, Texas, was a versatile American singer and songwriter. He began his musical journey in Los Angeles, where he formed a vocal group called the Debonairs with Richard Berry. The group later became known as the Flairs and signed with Modern Records. In 1954, Jessie started his solo career under the name Young Jessie, thanks to a contract with producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. His deep baritone voice led to the stage name, as it made him sound much older than his age. One of his most notable songs is "Mary Lou," released in 1955, which was later covered by several artists, including Ronnie Hawkins and Frank Zappa. Jessie also briefly sang with The Coasters and later transitioned to jazz, performing and recording under the name Obie Jessie.

Throughout his career, Young Jessie explored various genres, from rock and roll to jazz. He released several albums and singles, including "Hot Dog (and other Fifties' Shakers)" and "Presenting Young Jessie." Jessie's musical legacy is marked by his contributions to early rock and roll and his later work in jazz. He passed away on April 27, 2020, at the age of 83.

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