Peck Kelley

About

Jazz artist known for Peck's Bad Boys, a 1920s band comprised of notables such as Jack Teagarden and Pee Wee Russell.

Before Fame

He performed in Missouri and Louisiana early on, but became frustrated with worker's union politics and the paperwork involved in getting permits.

Trivia

He made rare recordings in 1957 with the Dick Shannon quartet and loved the results, but asked that they not be released. They were, of course, but not until after his death.

Family Life

He was intensely private and refused to discuss details of his personal life. He was the subject, however, according to many jazz historians, of Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar, Will Bradley's 1930s hit.

Associated With

He preferred to play in Texas and rarely played elsewhere, turning down offers from numerous well-known artists, including Bing Crosby.