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Little Mack Simmons (January 25, 1933 — October 24, 2000) was an African-American Chicago blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter.

Malcolm Simmons was born in Twist, Arkansas. In his youth he befriended James Cotton, and they grew up learning to play the harmonica. Simmons relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 18 and worked on the railroad. At this time Simmons made his stage debut with Robert Nighthawk.

In 1954 he moved again to Chicago, put together his own backing band, and had a five year residency at Cadillac Baby's. He commenced recording in 1959, issuing records on a number of labels including Chess. In the late 1950s and early 1960s Simmons recorded several more obscure singles, often simply billed as Little Mack (or Mac). Simmons went on to provide the opportunity for others talents to be seen. He owned and managed Chicago's Zodiac Lounge from the mid to late 1960s. In addition, he owned a recording studio and recorded on his own labels, PM Records (4) and Simmons Records (2). Simmons left the music industry at that time for the ministry, and was rarely heard in 30 years, notwithstanding an album he recorded in 1975 in Paris, France.

His return to blues music arrived with High & Lonesome (1995), which was an early success for St. George Records, an independent record label. Simmons' energetic style, accompanied by Studebaker John, belied his years. Come Back to Me Baby (1996), with featured sidemen John Primer, Willie Kent and Jake Dawson (guitarist) was also well received.

Simmons died in October 2000, of colon cancer, in his adopted hometown of Chicago, at the age of 67.

ALBUMS


Little Mack Simmons*
Blue Lights
2002, CD, Album, RM, Black And Blue
Little Mack Simmons*
The Last Sessions
2001, CD, Album, Blues Special Records
Mack Simmons
The Electro-Fi Years
2001, CD, Comp, Electro-Fi Records
Little Mack Simmons*
The PM/Simmons Collection 1971-1982
1999, CD, Comp, Electro-Fi Records, Electro-Fi Records, ,
Chicago Blues/Funk
Mack Simmons
Somewhere On Down The Line
1999, CD, Album, Electro-Fi Records
Mack Simmons
Little Mack Is Back
1997, CD, Album, Electro-Fi Records
Little Mack Simmons*
High & Lonesome
1995, CD, Album, St. George Records, St. George Records
Little Mack Simmons*
Come Back To Me Baby
1994, CD, Wolf Records (2)
Little Mac*
Chicago Blues Harmonica Wizard
1994
Mack Simmons
Inflation Blues / Key To The Highway
1980, 7", PM Records (4)
Reverend Ben Butler And Mack Simmons
When The Lord Stands By
1977, LP, PM Records (4)
Little Mac Simmons*
Blue Lights
1976, LP, Album, Black And Blue, ,
Chicago Blues
Mack Simmons
Turning Point
1976
Mack Simmons
Inflation Blues
1975, LP, PM Records (4)
Mack Simmons
Sings And Plays Super Hits
1975, LP, PM Records (4)
Mack Simmons And Jimmy Mitchell
Forty Third Street Bus Stop
1975
Kenya Collins* & Mac Simmons*
Looking For The Same Thing
1974
Mac Simmons*
You Got To Help Me
1974
Mack Simmons
Snap Your Finger / Next Time You See Me
1974
Mac Simmons*
Youre So Fine / Blue Light
1974
Mack Simmons
I'm Gonna Keep On Searching Till I Find Mine Part I / Rainy Night In Georgia
1972
Little Mack Simmons*
You Got To Help Me / Mother-In-Law Blues
1970, 7", Dud Sound Records
Little Mack*
Goose Walk / Hard Times
1970, 7", Dud Sound Records
Little Mack Simmons*
Never Leave My Homework Undone / Givin' Me A Hard Time
1970
Little Mack Simmons*
Push and Pull
1969, 7", Single, Mono, MS Records (18)
"Little" Mack Simmons*
A Tribute To Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Stop Looting And Rioting)
1968, 7", Biscayne Records
Little Mack*
Let Hootenanny Blues (Out Of Jail) / I'm Your Fool
1963, 7", Bea & Baby Records, ,
Chicago Blues
Little Mack*
Don't Leave Me Now
1961, Acetate, 7", S/Sided, Ter, Checker
Georgia Hinton* / Little Mack*
I Play For Keeps / I Need Love
1961
Little Mack*
I'm Happy Now / Don't Leave Me Now
1961
Little Mac*
Times Are Getting Tougher
1960, 7", Bea & Baby Records
Little Mac*
You Mistreated Me / Broken Heart
1960
Little Mack*
Come Back / My Walking Blues
1959
Mack Simmons, Sunnyland Slim, Andrew McMahon (2), Willie Williams, Bobby Saxton
Colossal Blues Vol. 1
LP, Comp, Bea & Baby Records
Little Mack* & The Hipps
Mother-In-Law Blues
7", Single, Mono, Miss
Malcolm Simmons*
Lie To Me
7", PM Records (4)
Malcom Simmons*
Mama Was Right / Messing With The Kid
7", Single, PM Records (4)
Little Mack*
Mother-In-Law Blues / You Get To Help Me
7", Puro (2)
Mack Simmons
Skin Tight
Vinyl, ,
Free Funk/Funk
Rev. Malcolm Simmons
Inflation Blues
1980, 7", Sky Hero Productions
Lee Wilson
Knockin' For A Second Chance / Yes!
1976
The Gospel Songbirds*
The Bells / Every Road
1974, 7", Simmons Records (2)
Fenton Robinson
Find A-Way / Cryin The Blues
1974
Artie White
She's The One
1974
Lee "Shot" Williams*
I Found A Love / It Ain't Me No More
1972
Kitty Montgomery
Tired, Tired Of You / Bring Love
7", PM Records (4)
The 3 Simmons*
You Are My Dream
7", PM Records (4)
Buddy Scott
It's Too Late To Worry / Open The Door To Your Heart
7", Single, PM Records (4), ,
Soul
L.C. Cooke*
Last Goodbye
7", PM Records (4), ,
Soul
Arelean Brown
Eagle Stirs His Nest

APPEARANCES +


Mac Sims
Drivin' Wheel / Broken Heart
2025, 7", RE, Palos Records
Various
Down Home Blues - Chicago Volume 2 - Sweet Home Chicago
2019, 5xCD, Comp, RM, Wienerworld Presentation, ,
Chicago Blues
Tail Dragger*
Stop Lyin'
2013, CD, Album, Delmark Records
Fathead
20 Years Deep: The Very Best Of Fathead
2012, CD, Comp, Electro-Fi Records
Various
Stomping At The Klub Foot - Volume 4
2004, CD, Comp, RE, Harry May Record Company
Various
Blowing The Blues: A History Of Blues Harmonica 1926-2002
2003, 3xCD, Comp, Indigo Recordings, ,
Harmonica Blues
Steve Guyger
Past Life Blues
2003
Various
Meat & Gravy From Bea & Baby
2002, 2x CD, ,
Chicago Blues
Lurrie Bell
Blues Had A Baby
1999, CD, Album, Delmark Records, Delmark Records
Mojo Blues Band
Blues Parade 2000 (Volume 1 & 2)
1999, 2xCD, Album, Styx Records
Sunnyland Slim With Bonnie Lee, Big Time Sarah & Zora Young
She Got A Thing Goin' On
1998, CD, Album, Earwig Music
Various
The Blue Horizon Story (1965-1970 Vol. 1)
1997, ,
Electric Blues/Blues Rock/Country Blues
Eddy Clearwater
Boogie My Blues Away
1995, CD, Album, Delmark Records, ,
Chicago Blues/Modern Electric Blues
Various
The Story Of Black & Blue 1963-1976, Volume 1
1994, 2xCD, Comp, Frémeaux & Associés, ,
Chicago Blues/Country Blues/Electric Blues/Piano Blues/Texas Blues
Mojo Blues Band
Blues Roll On!
1994, CD, Album, EMI Austria
W.C. Clark*
Heart Of Gold
1994, CD, ,
Texas Blues
Lonnie Brooks
Reconsider Baby
1993
Various
Chess Blues
1992, 4x CD DADC Pressing, Box Set, ,
Electric Blues/Chicago Blues/Harmonica Blues/Rhythm & Blues/Piano Blues/Soul/Memphis Blues
Syl Johnson
Suicide Blues
1985, LP, Album, Isabel Records, ,
Gospel/Chicago Blues
Various
I Didn't Give A Damn If Whites Bought It! - The Ralph Bass Session Vol. 4
1985, LP, Comp, Red Lightnin', ,
Rhythm & Blues/Chicago Blues
Various
Harpin' On It: An Anthology Of Harmonica Blues
1983, LP, Comp, JSP Records
Willie Buck
It's Alright
1982
Syl Johnson
Brings Out The Blues In Me
1980, ,
Soul/Funk
Various
Chicago Rock - With Jump Jackson And Friends
1979
Manuel Arrington
Meet Your Fun Master - Take The Drawers Out Of Yor Boo-dy
1978, LP, Album, Sonic (3)
Sunnyland Slim & Big Time Sarah
Patience Like Job
1978
Various
Hits That Missed
1978
Various
Records Was Cheap To Make Then
1978, Vinyl, ,
Chicago Blues/Rhythm & Blues
Arlean Brown*
Impeach Me Baby / You Gonna Miss Me Baby
1978
Various
Trying To Make A Living
1978
Luther Johnson
Lonesome In My Bedroom
1977
Lonnie Brooks
Sweet Home Chicago
1975
Freddy Youngblood & Joann Addison / Freddy Young*
Hickory Game / That Ain't Right
1974, 7", K-Town Records (7)
Willie Williams
Raw Unpolluted Soul
1973, Vinyl, ,
Chicago Blues
Johnny Young
Plays And Sings The Blues With His Gut-Bucket Mandolin
1972, LP, Album, Blues On Blues
Willie Mabon
Wille Mabon Is Back Funky
1972
Detroit Jr.*
Chicago Urban Blues
1972
The Chances
One More Chance / It Takes More Than Love Alone
1969, 7", Single, Bea & Baby Records
Maurice & Mac
So Much Love
1967
"Little" Mack Simmons & His Boys*
Blues From Chicago
1966, 7", EP, RE, Outasite, Outasite
Mac Sims
Drivin' Wheel / Broken Heart
1962
Detroit Junior
Money Tree / So Unhappy (So Unkind)
1960
Little Mack And His Boys*
Come Back / My Walking Blues
1959
Various
Dansez-Vous Le Bop ? Vol.2
LP, Comp, Black And Blue, Black And Blue,
Arlean Brown*
I Love My Man / Hello Baby
7", Bea & Baby Records
Various
Bea & Baby Records Presents: The Best Of Chicago Blues
CD, Comp, Wolf Records (2)
Ruby Harris, Electric Violin Blues Revue
Almost Home
CDr, Album, Not On Label (Ruby Harris Self-released), Not On Label (Electric Violin Blues Revue Self-released)
Various
Space Funk 2 (Afro Futurist Electro Funk In Space 1976-84)
2023, CD Digipak, ,
Electro/Funk
Various
Rhythm & Western Volume 2 Your Cheatin' Heart
2022, CD, Comp, Koko Mojo Records, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Doo Wop
Various
Boss Black Rockers Vol. 1-10
2022, 10xLP, Comp, Ltd + Box, Koko Mojo Records, ,
Jump Blues/Doo Wop/Rhythm & Blues/Rock & Roll
Various
Boss Black Rockers Vol. 6: Mardi Gras Rock
2020, CD, ,
Doo Wop/Rhythm & Blues/Rock & Roll
Various
Tore Up! (Hot Harps Come Together)
2019, CD, Comp, Koko Mojo Records
Various
Cadillac Baby's Bea & Baby Records (The Definitive Collection)
2019, 4xCD, Comp + Box, Earwig Music, ,
Rhythm & Blues
Various
Stirring Up Some Blues - The Original Sound Of UK Club Land
2019, CD, Comp, Jasmine Records
Various
HardCore Harp
2017
Various
Slabs Of Humdingers Volume Two
2014
Various
Jerk Boom Bam! Vol 10
2013, LP, Comp, Jerk Boom! Bam! Records
Various
Sin City Jukebox Volume Five
2011, CDr, Comp, Spoonful
Various
Martin Luther King’s Blues: African-American blues and gospel songs on MLK 1963-1968
2010, CD, Comp, Agram Blues,
Various
Light: On The South Side
2009, ,
Chicago Blues/Funk/Soul/Rhythm & Blues
Various
Maximum Mojo (The Best Of Electro-Fi Records 1997-2007)
2007, 2xCD, Comp, Electro-Fi Records,
Various
This Is The Blues Harmonica - Vol. 2
2004, CD, Comp, Delmark Records,
Various
Funky Funky Chicago
2004
Various
Sweet Home Chicago : A History Of Chicago Blues
2003, 3xCD, Comp + Box, Indigo Recordings, ,
Chicago Blues
Various
Sanctuary Blues Sampler
2002, CD, Comp, Promo, Smplr, Cat, Sanctuary, Castle Music
Various
The Blues...
2001, CD, Album, Comp, Dig, Suave
Various
Upside 'n' Down Tight - Electro-Fi's Finest 1997-2000
2000, CD, Comp, Electro-Fi Records,
Various
Chicago Ain't Nothin' But A Blues Band
1999, CD, Album, Comp, Delmark Records, Delmark Records
Various
Chicago Blues Rockin' After Midnight
1998, CD, Comp, St. George Records
Various
Meat And Gravy - The Best Of Cadillac
1997, CD, Comp, Blue Boar Records, Culture Press
Various
Chicago Blues Harmonica
1996, CD, Comp, Wolf Records (2),
Various
Soulful Kinda Seventies - 50 Classic Uptempo Movers
1994
Various
Chicago Blues Festival 1974-1976, Vol. 3
1993, CD, Black And Blue
Various
The Real Chicago Blues Today - 60's Style
1987, LP, Comp, P-Vine Special, Chess
Various
Dansez-vous Le Bop?
1987
Various
Bachelor Blues
1982, LP, Comp, Neon Records (17)
Various
Nothing But The Blues
1971, 2xLP, Comp, Mono, CBS
Various
C.J.'s Roots Of Chicago Blues
1970, LP, Comp, Blue Flame Records (3), Blue Flame Records (3), ,
Chicago Blues
Various
Chicago Blues 60's Style
LP, Comp, Chess
Various
A Blues Anthology
3xLP, Comp + Box, Black And Blue,
Various
The Best Of Harmonica Blues
CD, Comp, Wolf Records (2), ,
Harmonica Blues
Various
70's Soul Hotwax Vol. 2 - A Collection Of Rare Uptempo Soul
CD, Comp, Goldmine Soul Supply
Various
Twist It Baby!
CDr, Comp, Spoonful,
Various
Chicago Blues From C.J. Records - Volume 1
CD, Comp, Wolf Records (2),
Various
Bea & Baby Records Presents: The Best Of Chicago Blues Vol. 2
CD, Comp, Wolf Records (2)
Various
Deep & Gritty: The Sound Of The City Vol 12: Windy City Soul - Part 3
CDr, Comp, Sounds Good To Me,
Various
Bea & Baby Presents: The Best Of Chicago Blues Vol. 3
CD, Comp, Wolf Records (2)
Various
Chicago Down Home Harmonica Vol. 1
CDr, Comp, Ol Chicago Records, Ol Chicago Records, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Chicago Blues/Harmonica Blues
The Knight Bros.* / Little Mack*
Love (Can't You Hear Me) / I Need Love
2016, 7", Single, RE, Unofficial, Checker (2), Checker (2)