Lee Allen - Definition and Overview

Lee Allen (1926 - 1994) was a tenor saxophone player.

He performed or recorded with dozens of musicians in the early days of rock music and rhythm and blues, such as Fats Domino, Little Richard and Lloyd Price, and was a fixture on the fertile New Orleans music scene. His own instrumental song "Walkin' With Mr. Lee" was a minor hit in 1958.

By the mid-1960's, Allen was semi-retired from music, performing only occasionally after moving to southern California to work an aircraft manufacturing plant. The rockabilly revival of the late 1970s found younger musicians seeking Allen's distictive saxophone. He recorded with the Stray Cats, and was a member of The Blasters for their two final albums and associated tours.

After Allen's death, Blasters member Dave Alvin dedicated the song Mister Lee to Allen.