Growing up in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Ernest had the right background for a bluesman; his father was a barrelhouse pianist. Lane, along with childhood pal Ike Turner, received occasional piano tuition from family friend Pinetop Perkins.When he was just a teenager, Lane hooked up with legendary slide guitarist Robert Nighthawk. Nighthawk eventually took him to Chicago where his solid piano work graced a number of sides cut for the Chess label in 1948-49. These cuts include the blues classic “Sweet Black Angel”. “Down The Line”, “Handsome Lover”, “Return Mail Blues”, “My Sweet Lovin’ Mama”, “She Knows How To Love A Man”, “Anna Lee Blues (Anna Lee)”, “Return Mail Blues” and “Sugar Papa”.
Ernest cut his first record under his own name for Blues & Rhythm in 1952 (an off shoot of Modern), “What’s Wrong Baby” b/w “Little Girl, Little Girl”, plus a pair of singles in L.A. in the early sixties, “What Kind Of Love” b/w “Sliced Apples” for M.J.C. and “What’s That You Got” b/w “Need My Help” for Sony. Ernest wasn’t even aware that the Blues & Rhythm sides were issued but does recall the session which was setup by Ike Turner who was acting as a talent scout for Modern.
Ernest played for a spell with Jimmy Nolen and appears on the following 1959 session for Fidelity: “Swingin’ Peter Gunn Pt. 1″, Swingin’ Peter Gunn Pt. 2” and “Blues After Hours.” In 1961 Nolen’s band, with Ernest, backed George “Harmonica” Smith on a session for Sotoplay: “Sometimes You Win When You Lose”, “Come On Home”, “You Can’t Undo What’s Been Done” and “Rope That Twist.”
After years of touring, Lane found himself in St. Louis back with his childhood friend Ike Turner and his band The Kings of Rhythm. They were the hottest band in St. Louis with a residency at the Club Imperial every week. It was at this club that Lane witnessed the birth of a superstar. One night, a young Annie Mae Bullock performed on a whim with the band, electrifying the crowd. Ike saw her potential and formed a new band around her. She changed her name to Tina and The Ike and Tina Revue was born. Lane recorded on all of Ike & Tina’s early hits including “A Fool In Love.” The Revue all relocated to Los Angeles, California where Lane decided to strike out on his own.
In the early 1980’s he cut a session for Rooster Records but only one 45 was issued, “Doggin’ No More” b/w “Little Girl.” After this he gave up music altogether until 1999, when Ernest performed again with Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm Band until his Ike's death in 2007.
In 2004 Ernest issued his belated debut, “The Blues Is Back!” followed by “Born With The Blues” in 2008 and lastly “72 Miles From Memphis”. In 2009 he appeared at the 26th Chicago Blues Fest. In his later years Ernest remained at the top of his game, playing in the classic style that’s rarely heard anymore. He passed away on July 8, 2012, age 81 years.(Edited mainly from various sources, mainly Sunday Blues )
Here’s a clip from the 2009 Chicago Blues Festival Tribute to Robert Nighthawk on 100th Aniversary of his birth, Featuring Ernest Lane,.Steve Grills on guitar. The Kings of Rhythm band, Paul Smith, Mack Johnson, Seth Blumberg, Armando Cepeda, Ryan Montana, Leo Dombecki and, Bill Ray.
Here’s a clip from the 2009 Chicago Blues Festival Tribute to Robert Nighthawk on 100th Aniversary of his birth, Featuring Ernest Lane,.Steve Grills on guitar. The Kings of Rhythm band, Paul Smith, Mack Johnson, Seth Blumberg, Armando Cepeda, Ryan Montana, Leo Dombecki and, Bill Ray.