[2] His parents were cotton sharecroppers, and Lassiter began singing after joining his uncles' gospel group.

While stationed in the Far East, he performed in officers' clubs and took up boxing, competing under the name Artie Wilkins (taking his step-father's surname).

[2] He often sang covers of Ray Charles songs, and formed The Bel-Airs with brothers George and Murrey Green and Douglas Martin.

Lassiter's trio of backup singers — Robbie Montgomery, Frances Hodges, and Sandra Harding – were called The Artettes, and eventually formed the foundation of The Ikettes.

[6][5] Lassiter later became an active member of the Black Panthers in San Mateo, California, and studied alternative history with Huey P. Newton and Eldridge Cleaver, before relocating to Hawaii in 1970.

[2][9] Lassiter spent his final years with his third wife, Ruth Lindgren and two children Miriam and Linnea.

Lassiter's grandson, Andre Montgomery Jr., later starred in the reality television series Welcome to Sweetie Pie's.