Solo Debut Out Soon

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Published 2024-06-16 06:00

Lolly Lee is not just a singer, she's a multi instrumentalist musical icon from Birmingham, Alabama. Her journey, filled with ups and downs, resonates with many, making her a beacon of inspiration for aspiring artists. At 63 years young, after countless shows, bands, kids, marriage, loss, rebirth, Lolly proves to be a survivor, not just of herself but of her dreams. Her soul. Her destiny. With every note she sings, Lolly Lee continues to etch her legacy in the annals of Birmingham's rich musical history and beyond.

Lolly's musical prowess led her to join the rock band, The Mortals consisting of Rick Kurtz, Lolly Lee, Don Tinsley, Bruce Crain, Mike Matos and Marcelle Nichols. They played regularly in the early 1980's at the Old Town Music Hall, where they grew their die hard following. As lead vocalist, Lolly's voice, a blend of power and emotion, commanded attention with the raspiness of Stevie Nicks, mixed ever so gently with the heart of Joni Mitchell, and the reckless abandon of Lucinda Williams, which became the band's signature sound. She later transitioned to the role of rhythm guitarist and co-vocalist with the band Split The Dark.

Split The Dark, a rock band active in Birmingham and around the southeast during the 1980's started out as the Calton Phillips Group, named for founders Tommy Calton, guitar, and Marc Phillips keyboard and, long time friends who had been members of Hotel and other well known groups dating back to the late 1960's. Another Hotel alumnus, Eddie Usher played bass guitar and Steve Sample Jr played drums. This transition showcased her versatility as an artist, proving that she was not just a singer, but a complete musician. However, as life would have it, Lolly took a hiatus from the band to embrace the joys of motherhood.

The years she was not in the public eye, Lolly was proving to be a gifted songwriter, documenting her experiences of love, life, and living in rural Alabama. After losing her longtime husband Jeff Stern in 2023, Lolly turned her grief into songs, finishing out what would ultimately be her long awaited, highly anticipated debut album. Lolly recruited long time friend and Neil Young guitarist, producer Anthony Crawford as her co-pilot to record, mix, and master the album and vocalist Savana Lee, Crawford’s wife and bandmate in Sugarcane Jane, to add another female perspective to the songs. The result was magical.

This debut album undeniably puts Lolly Lee into the driver's seat of unknown legends and Anthony Crawford riding shotgun as producer to watch. Recorded at renowned Admiral Bean Studio, to be released early summer in Europe. She has attracted the admiration of many, with her producer's old bandmate, Ralph Molina of Neil Young's Crazy Horse band calling her “An underestimated underdog real deal rock and roll artist coming out of nowhere from the suburbs of Birmingham, Alabama”.

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