Sonny Forriest


Elbert McKinley "Sonny" Forriest was an American guitar player. He is best known for playing guitar for The Coasters.

Biography

Forriest was born in Pendleton, North Carolina in 1934. During the Korean War, Forriest served in the United States Air Force. From 1959 through 1961, he played guitar with The Coasters on such recordings as "Bésame Mucho," "Wake Me, Shake Me," "Shoppin' For Clothes," "Thumbin' A Ride," "Girls Girls Girls," "Ridin' Hood," and "Lady Like." He joined the Ray Charles Orchestra in 1962.
Forriest recorded four songs for Verve Records. On September 30, 1963, he recorded "In Trouble" and "Now That I'm Lonely." On October 1, 1963, he recorded "I'm Travelin'" and "Wedding Day". He released a solo jazz album called Tuff Pickin': The Blue Guitar Of Sonny Forriest And His Orchestra on Decca Records in 1965. He has also done studio work for other artists including Ray Charles and Hank Crawford.
Forriest died on January 10, 1999, in Capitol Heights, Maryland.
His son, Sonny Forriest Jr., is a musician who has played with Harold Melvin & [The Blue Notes], The Philly Intruders, and The Hearts Of Stone.

Discography

Solo singles

  • "Madame Booty Grenn" / "Mama Keep My Wife at Home", Red Top Records 128
  • "Diddy Bop" / "Knockdown", Atco Records 6157
  • "Sonny's Groove" / "Madame Booty Green", Atco Records 6157
  • "In Trouble", Verve Records
  • "Now that I'm Lonely" / "I'm Traveling", Verve Records
  • "Wedding Day", Verve Records
  • "Don't Mess With My Woman" / "Train", Escort Records 106
  • "Lil' Sister" / "It's Very Clear", Escort Records
  • "I Got A Woman" / "Tuff Pickin'", Decca 31888

Solo albums

Tuff Pickin': The Blue Guitar Of Sonny Forriest & His Orchestra, Decca DL-4716

As sideman

With The Coasters
  • One By One
With Hank Crawford