Big John Greer

John Marshall "Big John" Greer (November 21, 1923 – May 12, 1972) was an American blues tenor saxophonist and vocalist, best known for his recordings from 1948 to 1956, which included "Got You on My Mind" and "Bottle It Up and Go". Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States, Greer was a friend of Henry Glover from childhood, and both attended college at Alabama A&M together. Glover was playing in Lucky Millinder's band when Bull Moose Jackson left the group in 1948; Glover suggested that Greer be chosen as Jackson's replacement. Greer played with Bob Shad and appeared on Millinder's RCA recordings until 1950, when Millinder signed to King Records. Greer stayed with RCA and played with Wynonie Harris and Jackson among others. He sang lead vocals on his biggest hit, recorded in October 1951 "Got You On My Mind". In 1953, he switched to Groove Records, but did not make much impact on the American record charts there. In August 1954, he released "We Wanna See Santa Claus Do The Mambo", a Christmas hit to this day. In 1956, he finally signed with King, but only recorded for them for about a year. Greer also worked with Hal Singer and Bill Doggett. By 1957, Greer had developed extended troubles with alcoholism, and he moved back to his home town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he died in 1972 at age 48.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 21, 1923 (Hot Springs), Died May 12, 1972

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1949 - 1951

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, saxophone, leader, composer, songwriter

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Victor	E0VB-3088	10-in.	1/12/1950	A fool hasn't got a chance	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist, instrumentalist, saxophone, leader
Victor	E0VB-3089	10-in.	1/12/1950	Rocking Jenny Jones	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, saxophone
Victor	E0VB-3090	10-in.	1/12/1950	I'll never do that again	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist, instrumentalist, saxophone, leader
Victor	E0VB-3091	10-in.	1/12/1950	I've just found love	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, saxophone, composer
Victor	E0VB-4895	10-in.	7/6/1950	Big John's a blowin'	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Jazz/dance band	composer, instrumentalist, saxophone
Victor	E0VB-4897	10-in.	7/6/1950	Red juice	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist
Victor	E0VB-4898	10-in.	7/6/1950	It's better to be taken for granted (than never to be taken at all)	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist, songwriter
Victor	E0VB-6247	10-in.	12/6/1950	Once there lived a fool	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist
Victor	E0VB-6248	10-in.	12/6/1950	Why did you go?	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Vocal trio, with jazz/dance band	composer, leader
Victor	E0VB-6249	10-in.	12/6/1950	Our wedding tune	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance band	vocalist
Victor	E0VB-6250	10-in.	12/6/1950	I want ya', I need ya'	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist, songwriter
Victor	E1VB-1754	10-in.	4/12/1951	How can you forget	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist, composer, instrumentalist, saxophone
Victor	E1VB-1755	10-in.	4/12/1951	Clambake boogie	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist, instrumentalist, saxophone, leader
Victor	E1VB-1756	10-in.	4/12/1951	When you love (you should love from the heart)	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist, instrumentalist, saxophone, leader
Victor	D9VB-0020	10-in.	1/3/1949	Little girl, don't cry	Big John Greer ; Lucky Millinder Orchestra	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist
Victor	D9VB-1251	10-in.	4/8/1949	Drinkin' wine, spo-dee-o-dee	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble	vocalist, instrumentalist, saxophone
Victor	D9VB-1252	10-in.	4/8/1949	Long tall gal	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble	vocalist, instrumentalist, saxophone
Victor	D9VB-1253	10-in.	4/8/1949	I found a dream	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist, instrumentalist, saxophone
Victor	D9VB-1753	10-in.	6/27/1949	Big rock	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, saxophone, composer
Victor	D9VB-1754	10-in.	6/27/1949	If I told you once (I told you a thousand times)	Big John Greer ; The Rhythm Rockers (Big John Greer)	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Greer, Big John," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/355356.

Greer, Big John. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/355356.

"Greer, Big John." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.