With the band: 1972–1976
Instruments: Bass
A Gulf Coast Friendship
Lamar Williams was born on January 14, 1949, and grew up in Gulfport, Mississippi. There he became friends with a young drummer named Jai Johanny Johanson, whom the world would later know as Jaimoe. Like many young men of his generation, Lamar was drafted. He served in the Army in Vietnam and then came home to music.
Answering the Call
When Berry Oakley died in November 1972, the band had to find a new bassist in the middle of recording Brothers and Sisters. Jaimoe recommended his old friend, and Lamar joined that December. He played on most of the album, including the hits “Ramblin’ Man” and “Jessica.”
Berry had roamed the neck as a melodic lead voice. Lamar brought a deep, steady groove rooted in soul and R&B, and that foundation gave Chuck Leavell, Dickey Betts and the drummers room to stretch out during the band’s stadium years. He stayed through Win, Lose or Draw and the 1976 live album Wipe the Windows, Check the Oil, Dollar Gas, and he also toured with Gregg Allman’s solo band.
Sea Level
After the band broke up in 1976, Lamar joined Chuck Leavell and Jaimoe to start Sea Level, a jazz-flavored rock band that made several albums before it split up in 1980.
Remembering Lamar
Lamar Williams died of cancer in Los Angeles on January 21, 1983. He was only 34, and many people believe his illness came from his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He rests at Biloxi National Cemetery.
His son, vocalist Lamar Williams Jr., keeps his music alive. Lamar Jr. has sung with Les Brers and Oteil & Friends, and in 2026 he released an album with former ABB bassist Oteil Burbridge.