Ace Cannon
John "Ace" Cannon was an American tenor and alto saxophonist. He played and toured with Hi Records stablemate Bill Black's Combo, and started a solo career with his record "Tuff" in 1961, using the Black combo as his backing group. "Tuff" hit #17 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1962, and the follow-up single "Blues " hit #36 that same year. In April 1965, he released Ace Cannon Live ; according to the liner notes by Nick Pesce the album was recorded in front of a live audience inside Hi's recording studio, and Pesce claims this was the first time such an album had ever been recorded.
Cannon was inducted into both the Rock and Soul Hall of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2000. In May 2007, his hometown of Calhoun City, Mississippi, hosted its first annual Ace Cannon Festival, and on December 9, 2008, he was honored with induction into the Mississippi Musicians' Hall of Fame.
After years of traveling and entertaining fans the world over, he moved back to Calhoun City in the late 1980s, where he resided until his death. He played numerous dates each year, and would be found most days working on his golf game at his home course.
He died at his home on December 6, 2018, at the age of 84.Discography
Albums
- 1962 - Tuff Sax
- 1964 - Plays the Great Show Tunes
- 1964 - Aces Hi
- 1965 - Live
- 1966 – Christmas Cheers from Ace Cannon
- 1966 - Sweet & Tuff
- 1967 - Memphis Golden Hits
- 1969 - Ace of Sax
- 1972 - Cannon Country - Ace, That is!
- 1972 - Country Comfort
- 1973 - Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me
Singles
- A Peaked at #3 on US R&B charts
- B Peaked at #73 on US Country Singles