Background
Gaines was born in Waskom, Texas, United States, and relocated with his family to Houston at the age of six.
Gaines was born in Waskom, Texas, United States, and relocated with his family to Houston at the age of six.
Gaines"s recorded work includes his self-penned track, "A Hell of a Night", which first appeared on his 1982 album, Gainelining. He is the younger brother of another blues musician, Grady Gaines. Originally a piano devotee, Gaines moved to playing the guitar in his adolescence.
In his teens he was acquainted with his fellow budding guitarist, Johnny Copeland.
By the age of 14 he had performed onstage backing his hero, T-Bone Walker, and played in the Houston nightclubs before his move to Los Angeles, California. In 1955, Gaines backing work appeared on recordings by Bobby Bland, Junior Parker and Big Mama Thornton.
He later backed Roy Milton and then Chuck Willis, and worked again with Walker. In 1966, Gaines became part of Ray Charles" backing band.
Other backing work for Gaines included sessions with The Everly Brothers, The Supremes, Bobby Darin, Stevie Wonder, and Gladys Knight.
His primary function was as a sideman, but he released his solo album, Gainelining in 1982. Further works followed such as New Frontier Lover (2000). Also, Gaines had a small part in the 1985 film, The Color Purple.
In 2009, Gaines (billed as Roy Gaines & his Orchestra) released Tuxedo Blues, featuring a full big band.
Selections included "Mission Celie"s Blues (Sister)," which Gaines originally performed in The Color Purple. Also included was a cover of Michael Jackson"s "Rock With You." Gaines" co-composed song, "Number Use Crying", has been recorded by George Jones and Ray Charles.