The Aces & Associates

The Aces were considered to be the top Blues backing unit in Chicago. Its basic lineup included brothers

Louis and Dave Myers, and in its definitive form, Fred Below on drums, though at times there would be other drummers.

What made the Aces so special is that they seemed to fit into any Chicago Blues lineup, and raised the musicianship to that genre's apex.

Formed initially with Junior Wells as their singer/harmonica player, this band became most famous when

Little Walter left Muddy Waters and struck out on his own, choosing the Aces for his backup band. The recordings made with Little Walter

and the Aces would define the direction of the Chicago Blues Harmonica band format, and are considered evergreen classics.

Throughout the 1950s, up until the 1970s, the Aces would appear on a multitude of recording sessions, both as a standalone band

and a crack backing unit. Here are some memorable photos and clippings of the Aces and their associates to enjoy.

Aces promo photo from the 1970s - note that they are standing on Lincoln Avenue right in front of Wise Fool's Pub

Photo courtesy Kevin Johnson of Delmark Records

The Aces, portrait for the Black & Blue Label photo shoot, early 1970's

L-R: Fred Below, Dave Myers, Louis Myers

Photo by Jean-Pierre Tahmazian

Aces Chicago Beat album cover for the Black and Blue Label

Louis Myers at Louise's, South Side Chicago, summer of 1975

The Aces held a regular Blue Monday Jam there during that time

Photo by Bob Corritore

L-R: Saxophonist John Cameron, singer Bobby Jones (who has recently resurfaced on the Mannish Boys CD, Big Plans,

on Delta Groove Records), Dave Myers, Odie Payne, Jr., and Louis Myers, 1959

Photo from Dave Myers' personal collection, courtesy Scott Dirks

Freddie Hall, ABCO (Cobra) recording session

Per Scott Dirks, Dave said this photo was from the session at Cobra's studio on West Roosevelt Road,

which would probably make it 1956. But, since there are no microphones, it is possibly at a rehearsal there.

It doesn't look like a gig at any rate. The drummer is Eugene Lyons (according to his union card, but mispronounced by

Louis in an interview, and then known forever after as Eugene LOUNGE.) Pianist is Freddie Hall, Willie Dixon on bass guitar,

and possibly Eli Toscano behind the drummer. Dave and Louis are in the center

Photo from Dave Myers' personal collection, courtesy Scott Dirks

Dave and Louis, 1954

This is from a gig that Dave Myers said was in Detroit, where Little Walter and the Aces shared the bill with

Muddy Waters' band; therefore there are two drum kits.

Photo from Dave Myers' personal collection, courtesy Scott Dirks

Louis Myers and Jimmie Lee Robinson, at St. Mary's cemetery in

Evergreen Park, IL, on February 15, 1992, for the

Little Walter grave marker dedication

Photo by Scott Dirks

Little Walter with guitar under his leg

Britain, mid 1960s

Dave and Louis Myers

Late 1950s ad in the Chicago Defender

Photo courtesy Scott Dirks

Myers brothers at Rosa's

Photo by Scott Dirks

Dave Myers and Scott Dirks, a great harmonica player and

co-author of the book Blues With A Feeling: The Little Walter Story

Photo courtesy Scott Dirks

1970s photo of Louis Myers and Fred Below

Photo courtesy of the André Hobus library - Thanks to photographers Bob Vanderschueren, Claude Meyer, Annique Massange, André Hobus, and Marc De Jonghe

Fred Below

Photo Courtesy Scott Dirks

Louis Myers

L-R: Eddie Boyd, B.B. King, Miss Hi-Fi, Earl Hooker, Louis Myers, and B.B.'s drummer

Robert's Show Lounge, Chicago, 1958

Excerpt from the Chicago Defender

October 20, 1956

Photo courtesy Scott Dirks

Promotional flyer for Dave Myers' 1998 Black Top Album

Little Walter and The Aces appearing at The Apollo