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 "Besame 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. He died on January 10, 1999, in Capitol Heights, Maryland, United States.
His son Sonny Forriest Jr. is a musician out of New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who has played with groups such as Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The Philly Intruders, and The Hearts Of Stone.

Discography

Solo singles

With The Coasters
With Hank Crawford