Wilburt "Red" Prysock was born on February 2, 1926, in Greensboro, North Carolina. He learned to play the saxophone during his service in the U.S. Army and gained recognition as a member of Tiny Bradshaw's group, contributing the lead saxophone solo to their hit "Soft" in 1952. Prysock signed with Mercury Records in 1954 and achieved his breakthrough with the instrumental hit "Hand Clappin'" in 1955. He released several albums including Battle Royal, Swing Softly Red, and Rock 'N Roll. Throughout his career, he collaborated with notable artists such as Tiny Grimes, Roy Milton, Cootie Williams, and his brother Arthur Prysock. Prysock passed away on July 19, 1993, in Chicago at the age of 67.
