Lawrence “Big Twist” Nolan (1937–1990)

Lawrence Millard Nolan was born September 23, 1937, in Terre Haute, Indiana. He moved to Murphysboro in 1956 and married his wife, Yvonne, in 1965, together they had seven children. A vocalist, drummer, and harmonica player, “Big Twist,” as he came to be known, got his start singing in church and later performing in Juke Joints and Roadhouse of Southern Illinois. In the mid-1970s “Big Twist” joined Pete Special and Terry Ogolini to form Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows. Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows produced four albums on the Flying Fish and the Alligator Record Labels and became one of the most popular touring R&B acts of the 1970s and 80s. Their popularity led them to tours across the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean Islands, as well as appearances on multiple national television broadcasts. Notable artists and groups that recorded, toured, or performed with Big Twist were B. B. King, James Brown Jimmy Buffet, Johnny Winter, Koko Taylor, Muddy Waters, Ray Charlse, The Band, and many others. When Big Twist Died in 1990, his obituary was published in hundreds of newspapers around the world. He is buried in Tower Grove Cemetery just west of Murphysboro.