DION PAYTON

             

Dion Payton is one of the underground legends of Chicago blues. His acidic, rocking blues guitar and dry vocals made him a huge local draw at clubs like Kingston Mines during the ‘80s and ‘90s. More recently, Dion has been sitting in at various local clubs, but not performing on a regular basis.

The Greenwood, Mississippi native gained recording experience on Chess Records with gospel groups like the Violinaires before going on the road with Millie Jackson, Albert King and O.V. Wright. Dion first caught the attention of Alligator while playing rhythm guitar and co-arranging Lonnie Brooks’ 1983 album, Hot Shot. After leaving Lonnie, Dion assembled the 43rd Street Blues Band in January of 1985, and they served as weekend house band for Kingston Mines for many years, earning a legion of fans. He was tapped for The New Bluebloods recording, which introduced ten younger generation Chicago blues artists. Dion’s original composition on that album, “All Your Affection Is Gone,” became a well-known tune on local bandstands and was eventually covered by Michael Burks on his I Smell Smoke CD. Unfortunately, as of this time, Dion has no other available commercial recordings, and the power of his music is only known to the fans that catch one of his rare live appearances.

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Dion Payton (born October 21, 1950 in Greenwood, Mississippi) is an American Chicago blues guitarist and singer, who gained popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s in Chicago clubs.

Payton gained recording experience at Chess Records with gospel groups such as the Violinaires before touring with Millie Jackson, Albert King and O.V. Wright. He first caught the attention of Alligator Records while playing rhythm guitar and co-arranging Lonnie Brooks's 1983 album, Hot Shot. After leaving Brooks, Payton assembled the 43rd Street Blues Band in 1985, which served as the weekend house band at the blues club Kingston Mines for many years. The band's name referred to the location of the Checkerboard Lounge, where they served as Junior Wells's backing band. Accompanying Payton on rhythm guitar was Joanna Connor. Payton signed a recording contract with Virgin Records but never released any albums with Virgin or other record labels. His only commercial recording is his "All Your Affection Is Gone," from the New Bluebloods compilation album released by Alligator in 1987.

Payton now performs infrequently in the Chicago area.