Originally Posted by
stevenash
Whip it, whip it good.
True legendary story.
Stagger Lee was not a nice fella, oh no he was not.
At the turn of the century, in the 1890's Stagger Lee (Lee Sheldon) was a pimp and a saloon gambler.
He pretty much terrorized the po' sections of St. Looie Misery.
Stacker Lee had a gambling partner, his name was Bill Lyon.
Billy was a journeyman, was a horse buggy driver and worked as a levee hand on the mighty banks of the raging Mississippi River as well.
On Christmas Ever of 1895 Billy Lyons and Stacker Lee were shooting dice in a saw dust drinking joint when the two men snotted on King Kong liquor began arguing politics (legend has it the argument was over a dice roll, but witnesses all say it was politics) well push came to shove when Stagger grabbed Billy Lyons brand new Stetson hat, Billy attempted to snatch the hat back, and got two in the gut (legend has it it was two between the eyes, but not true) it was the stomach.
Stagger shot po' old Billy dead.
Lloyd Price made the story popular with his top Billboard selling hit called "Stagger Lee" back before your pal Nasher was in diapers, when the T-Rex roamed my daddy's back yard for grazing purposes.
The song was covered by a local Jersey band, and one of my favorite musicians "Southside" Johnny Lyons and the Asbury Jukes.
Give the story a listen, Southside explains the legend at around the 5:00 mark the video is old and a tad grainy, but I still love it.
(I can explain the WNEW-FM and Allison Steele reference at the six minute mark, it's a local thing)
I submit for your listening pleasure, you'll be glad you did, and no need for thanks, glad to do it.