He was born in Philadelphia, but grew up on the South Side of Chicago where he learned guitar while at DuSable High School.
After returning to Chicago he made his first recording in 1950, as guest vocalist on saxophonist Eddie Chamblee's "Every Shut Eye Ain't Sleep".
[3] A cover version by Ella Mae Morse reached number 26 on the pop chart,[6] and the song was recorded by Bill Haley in 1956.
He continued to tour, with Dinah Washington and others, and performed on Alan Freed's shows including the week-long Easter Jubilee of Stars in Brooklyn in April 1955.
[4] After several singles on Checker, Overbea moved in 1956 to the Argo label, another Chess subsidiary specifically established to market pop music.