# Andrew Tibbs

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**Andrew Tibbs** (February 2, 1929 – May 5, 1991)[1] was an American [electric](/source/Electric_blues) and urban blues [singer](/source/Singing) and [songwriter](/source/Songwriter). He is best known for his controversial 1947 recording "Bilbo Is Dead", a song relating to the demise of [Theodore G. Bilbo](/source/Theodore_G._Bilbo).[2]

## Biography

Tibbs was born **Melvin Andrew Grayson**,[3] in [Columbus, Ohio](/source/Columbus,_Ohio).[1] As a boy he sang in Baptist choirs in [Chicago](/source/Chicago), directed by [Mahalia Jackson](/source/Mahalia_Jackson) and [Dinah Washington](/source/Dinah_Washington). He was influenced by [Ivory Joe Hunter](/source/Ivory_Joe_Hunter) and [Arnold "Gatemouth" Moore](/source/Arnold_Moore).[4]

From 1947 to 1949, Tibbs [recorded](/source/Sound_recording_and_reproduction) for [Aristocrat Records](/source/Aristocrat_Records).[5] His debut [single](/source/Single_(music)) was "Bilbo Is Dead" backed with "Union Man Blues", recorded when he was eighteen years old.[4] The tracks were both co-written by Tibbs and [Tom Archia](/source/Tom_Archia),[2] and caused controversy. The [A-side](/source/A-side_and_B-side) criticized Theodore Bilbo's policies, whilst the [B-side](/source/A-side_and_B-side) caused displeasure from the Chicago-based [teamster](/source/Teamster)'s [union](/source/Trade_union). Six further singles were released by Aristocrat. Following its eventual acquisition by [Leonard](/source/Leonard_Chess) and Phil Chess, the newly formed [Chess Records](/source/Chess_Records) signed a recording contract with Tibbs in 1950, but he released only one record, "You Can't Win", before being dismissed.[4][5]

Tibbs recorded the single "Rock Savoy Rock" for [Peacock Records](/source/Peacock_Records) in 1951, followed by some unissued sessions for [Savoy](/source/Savoy_Records). With his brother, Kenneth, Tibbs recorded one session for [Atco](/source/Atco_Records) in 1956, which featured [King Curtis](/source/King_Curtis). His final recordings, in 1962 for M-Pac Records, included his last single release, "Stone Hearted Woman".[4]

He worked for West Electric thereafter[4] and gave sporadic live performances in Chicago [clubs](/source/Nightclub).[5]

Tibbs died in Chicago in May 1991, aged 62.[2]

## Discography

- *1947–1951* (1991), Classics Records[6]

## References

1. "Andrew Tibbs: Biography". *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved July 26, 2011.

1. [1990 - 1991 The Dead Rock Stars Club](http://thedeadrockstarsclub.com/1990.html), *Thedeadrockstarsclub.com*. Accessed July 2011.

1. Room, Adrian (2010). *Dictionary of Pseudonyms: 13,000 Assumed Names and Their Origins*. 5th ed. [Jefferson, North Carolina](/source/Jefferson,_North_Carolina): McFarland & Company. p. 475. ISBN 978-0-7864-4373-4.

1. ["Andrew Tibbs: Biography"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110927141349/http://www.music.us/biography/artist/28423/andrew_tibbs.html). *Music.us*. Archived from [the original](http://www.music.us/biography/artist/28423/andrew_tibbs.html) on September 27, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2011.

1. ["Andrew Tibbs: Classics 1947–1951"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111002143127/http://www.discovery-records.com/product-ST29979/TIBBS-ANDREW.htm). *Discovery-records.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.discovery-records.com/product-ST29979/TIBBS-ANDREW.htm) on October 2, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2011.

1. ["1947–1951"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/1947-1951-r595363). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved July 26, 2011.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Andrew Tibbs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Tibbs) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Tibbs?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.