Malcolm "Little Mack" Simmons never quite became a household name but his lively, inventive harp playing graced numerous singles and albums. Simmons was a long time fixture on the Chicago blues scene since the 50's and in the 90's embarked on a successful comeback recording a pair of fine records and playing regularly in Chicago until his passing.

  Simmons was born in Twist, Arkansas in 1933 and enjoyed a childhood friendship with James Cotton. The two would skip school and blow harp all day. At 15 he hit the road for St. Louis running into the legendary Robert Nighthawk who offered him his first club gig. After getting married the couple hit the road to the windy city.

  In 1955 Simmons formed his own band with such up-and-comers as Detroit Jr. and Eddie King. Around this time he hooked up with the small Bea & Baby label cutting some fine singles like "Jumpin' at Cadillac's", "Come Back To Me" and "Times Are getting Tougher." Simmons went on to cut two 45s at Chess then recorded for a handful of local labels, such as C.J., Palos, Dud, Pacer and New Breed.

  Simmons continued to gig as the 70's dawned and began a lucrative sideline selling drugs. The profits financed Simmons purchase of Club Zodiac and he transformed the upper floor into his own recording studio. Having the studio led to the formation of his own P.M. Simmons label. Simmons cut a number of fine 45's as well as recording Chicago artists like Fenton Robinson, Arelean Brown, Eddie Shaw and Syl Johnson.

  The 80's were a hard time for Simmons who despite a strong local following failed to break out to a wider audience. His drug activities finally caught up with him in 1982 when he was arrested although he ended getting off with a suspended sentence. For the rest of the 80's Simmons virtually disappeared from the blues scene.

  The 90's saw Simmons reemergence with records out on Wolf, St. George and a pair of high profile albums on the Electro-Fi label. Before his death he was playing regularly at Rosa's Lounge in Chicago.

Selected Discography

-Come Back To Me Baby, 1994 (Wolf)

-High & Lonesome, 1995 (St. George)

-Little Mack Is Back, 1997 (Electro-Fi)

-Somewhere On Down The Line, 1998 (Electro-Fi)

-The Best Of Chicago Blues: Bea & Baby Vol. 1 & 2 (Wolf)- Collects a number of Mack's early singles.