Jimmy Liggins, born James L. Elliott on October 14, 1922 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, was an American R&B guitarist and bandleader. He moved to San Diego, California with his family and began his music career as a driver for his brother Joe Liggins' band, the Honeydrippers. In 1947, he started recording under Art Rupe's Specialty label as the leader of the Drops of Joy. One of his early releases, "Cadillac Boogie" (1948), was considered a direct forerunner of "Rocket 88" and precursor to rock and roll. Notable songs such as "Tear Drop Blues" (1948) and "I Ain't Drunk" (1954) featuring Maxwell Davis on saxophone, solidified his success during the jump blues period of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Liggins left Specialty in 1954 and started his own management and record company, Duplex Records, in 1958. His wild stage presence influenced artists like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley, and Elvis Presley. He passed away on July 21, 1983 in Durham, North Carolina.
