Live Music: Johnny Lee and Arctic Blues

Classic Funky Blues

Johnny Lee began his career while still in high school in Conroe, Texas. The great Geater Davis taught him to play guitar at which Johnny quickly became proficient. So much so that Davis took him into the recording studio where he recorded with Davis on House of Orange Records. It was there that Johnny met and worked with Bobby “Blue” Bland.

When Johnny had to turn down the opportunity to tour with Geater (his parents insisted that he finish high school) he was snapped up by the popular east Texas Band 58 Engineers who took him in the studio at Bryant Records and kept him busy every weekend (including the night of his high school graduation!) That night they shared the bill with TSU Toronados and Archie Bell.

After moving to Austin n the early ’70’s he formed the I.C. Hot Band and played venues all over Austin. When the other guitarist in I.C. announced he was leaving town he introduced them to one of his guitar students. That student was Rob Bollinger. Rob became the new rhythm guitarist and Johnny’s dear friend and the band continued for many years to play some of Austin’s most iconic venues such as Mother Earth, Chester’s Lounge and the Historic Victory Grill.