WE ARE PROUD TO INDUCT LEE SIMS INTO THE POP BOP ROCK HONOR ROLL!

Colorado’s Country Pioneer Still Going Strong!

Lee Sims released several recordings on either Band Box or one of it’s subsidiary labels. I located Lee through his web site (click image below). These days Lee resides in Aurora, Colorado and continues to perform and record great country music.

Lee Sims was born in 1950 in Columbus, Georgia to parents Marie and Ernest.

Lee began his music career at the age of 12 when he learned both traditional and lap steel guitar playing. His first performance came in Junior High School which was followed quickly by Lee forming his own band and turning professional! His first band was called the “Torques” of which Lee reflects “a pretty lame name but we were young”.

Lee graduated from Aurora Central High School in 1969. He has been married now for 46 years to Kathy. Their children include Steven Robert and Jennifer Lynn. The Sims enjoy their two grandchildren Steven Lee and Liam!

Lee Sims News Timeline

April 30th, 1969 – Lee Sims Country Trio at the Post N Pike

March 1975 – Lee Sims & Platte River Band – Greeley

CLUB 70 LEE SIMS — Lee Sims – Club 70 – Denver

July 16th, 1978 – The Harlows – Nederland

August 13th thru 16th, 1980 – Louisville

September 6th, 1981 – KLAK Super Sunday Elitch Gardens

Lee and his Platte River Band were a regular act at the Zanzabar

ZANZABAR 79 — 1978 – Lee Sims – Zanzabar – Aurora

Lee has been recognized as one of the premier country stars coming out of Colorado. Lee’s accolades include:

2001 Entertainer of the Year in Colorado
2003 Entertainer of the Year in Colorado
Inductee into the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame
Three-time Golden Music Award Winner in Nashville 2001 for:
- Male Vocalist of the Year
- Country Group of the Year
- Country Album of the Year

Lee has met many national country stars and performed along side of Buck Owens, Waylon Jennings, George Strait and Tanya Tucker to name a few.

Lee with Charlie Pride at the Grand Ole Opry

Lee with Ricky Skaggs at the Grand Ole Opry

Lee Sims – Band Box Denver and More

I asked Lee about his time with Band Box and the following are his recollections:

“I began recording for Band Box owner Vicky Morosan in 1967 on the Band Box label. I don’t have all the info such as the catalog numbers associated with the releases however the songs were “Marie” b/w “Truck Driving Flame”. then in 1968 “Denver County Jail” b/w “If You Don’t Know.

“These two records were recorded at Band Box studios on Sheridan Blvd and were both recorded and engineered by Vicky Morosan. The two records on the Keyboard label (#709 “Husbands & Wives ” b/w “Paralyze My Mind”) and Rustique (#711 “Indian Tears” b/w “Married to Wine”) were both recorded in 1969 at a studio on the corner of Alameda & Pearl Street. I don’t recall the studio name but it will come to me eventually and I will get back to you.”

(POP NOTE: very likely was the Western Cine studio)

“I also recorded an The Fabulous Lee Sims’ that was recorded at Jackson studios which I believe was on the corner of Evans & S. Lipan.

“Vicky was always eager to help an artist and it was our involvement in the 1967 (Band Box) project that led to our relationship with the later projects.”

(POP NOTE: The two Band Box titles provided by Lee could easily be a couple of the missing titles shown as blank on the Band Box catalog sheets).

“I performed with The Lee Sims Country Trio up until the release of the “Indian Tears” and “Married to Wine” cuts at which time the group became “Lee Sims and the Ronnie Steele Trio”. The album release was a Lee Sims solo project. We worked mostly private clubs Elks/Moose lodges and Eagles however we did work the old Lulu’s Inn in Watkins, Colorado and the Merchant Inn in Limon, the Bar Lake Inn in Brighton, and Evelyn’s Holiday Inn in Morrison, Colorado.” (just to name a few)

(POP NOTE: It appears that all of these venues are long gone with the exception of Lulu’s).

Lee continues:

“I would like to add that the writer’s last name on “Indian Tears” was “Messinger”. Your email kinda came out of the blue so I will continue to search the brain cells for details. Thank you for your extensive investigations into this time period it is certainly and honor to mentioned with the great artists you have collected.”

POP NOTE: Thank You Mr. Sims!