Bee Houston (19 April 1938 – 19 March 1991) was an exciting performer whose style blended elements of Texas shuffle blues and Southern gospel-tinged soul.
Born Edward Wilson Houston in San Antonio, Texas, Bee lived a long time in the shadow of his taller and handsome twin brother Bo (Wilson Edward Houston). Bee played bugle and Bo the drums in their School’s drum and bugle corps. Later Bee bought a guitar and for a time his other brother “Honey” (Wilson Vincent Houston) played drums and Bee and Bo did an act where Bee played the treble strings and Bo the bass strings of the guitar.
Bee, like all good blues artists, developed a unique style even to the point where he kept some strings slightly bent, even when tuning! His earthly voice made a fine complement to his strong guitar work and his Texas roots were noticeably evident. Music became Bee’s life and soon his group were the back-up band for “name” artists like Brook Benton, Little Willie John, Junior Parker, and Bobby Bland, when these singers were booked by Henderson Glass to tour the Southwest in the late 50’s and 60’s.
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After a two-year army stint, bee and his wife decided to try their luck on the West Coast. He toured and recorded frequently with Big Mama Thornton in the '60s and became known as her guitarist during the waning years of her career. He also accompanied several visiting blues players during West Coast visits including the Simms Twins, Mc Kinley Mitchell and Little Johnny Taylor. Houston recorded for Arhoolie in the '60s and '70s, and also made several festival appearances and club dates. Bee Toured again with Junior Parker but preferred to stay in Los Angeles close to his family and continued to play the local R&B circuit until he died there on 19 March 1991 a month before his 53rd birthday.
(Scant information edited from liner notes by Chris Strachwitz & AllMusic)