To many, organist Lenny Dee was the ultimate lounge performer. And for many years he played to that image, with a popular live act and a number of successful albums with goofy covers and titles like Dee-lightful and Double Dee-light. But he was also a very skilled instrumentalist, one who is still celebrated for his talent and style.
The Chicago-born Dee began life under the name Leonard George DeStoppelaire, and while later growing up in Florida his
musical aptitude began to appear at a early age. Starting with piano and later branching out to several other instruments, young Lenny was a natural.
As he approached adulthood, Lenny moved back to Chicago to study music, and in the post-war years he began to appear professionally, mostly as an organist. Within a few years he’d found his way to Nashville, and it was there that the young musician attracted the notice of country star Red Foley, who helped him get a deal with Decca Records.
By the mid-Fifties, Lenny had churned out his first hit record — “Plantation Boogie” — and it was the beginning of years of success, not only with record sales but also as a live act. He sometimes enlisted the aid of musical sidemen, but could himself imitate a number of different instruments with his keyboard. He played just about every kind of music from country to the classics, and he also mixed in comedy routines.
Even after record sales eventually slowed down, Lenny continued to be a popular attraction in night clubs, on tour, and even on cruise ships. His success stretched for decades, but by the new millennium Lenny was finally ready for retirement from music. He died in Florida in 2006.
Geezer Music Club 