NOTE: THIS IS NOT BILLY LEE RILEY'S OFFICIAL MYSPACE PAGE. THIS IS ONLY A PROFILE FOR FANS OF BILLY LEE RILEY'S WORK.
Born on October 5, 1933 in Pocohontas, AR. Billy Lee Riley is a rockabilly singer and multi-instrumentalist. An alumni of Sun Records, he was one of the most crazed, unabashed rockers that label had to offer -- in the company of Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Sonny Burgess, that's saying a lot. Proficient at harmonica, guitar, bass, and drums, Riley contributed as a sideman to many a classic Sun session, and his combo the Little Green Men (most notably guitarist Roland Janes and drummer J.M. Van Eaton) in time became the Sun house band. Riley recorded for a number of labels in a variety of styles, especially effective with blues. Though never commercially successful, Riley's Sun recordings of "Flying Saucer Rock 'n' Roll" and "Red Hot" (both covered in wooden renditions by Robert Gordon) remain landmarks of the genre.
In listing the names of the Sun faithful who toiled at 706 Union who could have been-and should have been-national contenders, several talented names come to mind and with them, perhaps very plausible reasons why they never clicked with a national audience. Sonny Burgess had a booming voice like a tenor sax and a band that absolutely burned, but his wild-ass stage show just couldn't be successfully translated to records. Warren Smith had the voice, looks and will to succeed, but was just too country to make the pop charts past the rockabilly boom of 1956. Hayden Thompson huffed and puffed convincingly enough, but was just too late to make it on Elvis' coat tails past a regional level. But the one man who had the looks, talent and the adaptability to pull it off and didn't even come close to having a hit on Sun was Billy Riley. Known to most rockabilly fanatics as Billy Lee Riley, although the use of his middle name didn't come until the mid to late 60s, his meister work at Sun almost runs the whole development of white artists on the label in microcosm, from raw rockin' simplicity to production chasing after then current market trends. Riley's top notch band, the Little Green Men, were literally the Sun house band from late '56 on, housing the talents of both James Van Eaton on drums and the incredible Roland Janes on guitar, the twin musical glue of the label. With Sam Phillips doing the early sessions, handing over the reigns to producers Jack Clement and Bill Justis (an avowed rock hater from day one, despite his hit with "Raunchy"), they tried just about anything to get that elusive hit. Along the way, they made some of the best rockin' tracks ever logged in at 706 Union, played the blues, did doo-wop covers, and sometimes tried like all git out to piggy back on some current novelty trend and sounded uncomfortable doing it as well. But no matter what they cut, none of it sold in big numbers by any stretch of the imagination. Riley went on from Sun to a plethora of labels recording in a number of styles, never finding a mainstream audience for his talent. But the truth lying in the laser beams of his AVI CD Red Hot! The Best Of Billy Riley tells us that sales figures sometimes don't give the real story, because much music of tremendously high quality came from one Billy Riley. He was, as Sam Phillips himself once described him, a real rockin' mutha.
~ Cub Koda, All-Music Guide
Just stopping by sending some friendly love on your page hope all is great and going well on your end. just wanted to stop threw to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!:D
Christmas is coming soon. Are you looking for a Christmas present and would like to help handicapped children? Than please request the list of donations in kind from HelpCharity, www.MySpace.com/HelpCharity , by sending me an e-mail at Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de . Many donations in kind are autographed.
If you don't have the chance to request the list of donations in kind, please add HelpCharity to your Top Friends!
Thanks for helping me to support handicapped children!
Christian
Founder of HelpCharity Editor & Journalist for Country Music Christian Lamitschka An der Pfingstweide 28 61118 Bad Vilbel Germany Phone: ++49 (0) 6101 544613 Mobil: ++49 (0) 171 6903352 E-Mail: Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de Internet: www.MySpace.com/HelpCharity Internet: www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka
I want to thank you for allowing me as Red Skelton to be a part of your myspace life.
Fall is here and the holidays are approaching. They can be stressful so I'm giving you a gift of laughter.
If by chance you are in Las Vegas or plan on visiting us this season, I would be honored to meet you.
I perform every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night 9pm inside the Royal Resort Hotel showroom located 99 Convention Center Drive (basically corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Convention Center Drive)
The name of the show is Larry G Jones ~Man of 1002 Voices Show.
I'm the opening act as Red Skelton. If you get the chance please stop by and say HI. If you want to see the show here is a discount code for you.
Rocking the Barn 1950's Rockabilly Night-October 23, 2009 Performing artists: Art Adams, Rocking Terry Lee & the Rockaboogie Band, and The Makeshifts ALSO:
Signed artist poster from recent benefit in Arkansas and CD's to be given away. All proceeds for Joyce, Billy's wife. Place: Mike's Music and Dance Barn State Road 46 West Nashville, Indiana 47448 Tickets: $10.00 Call 812-962-3445 for reservations....
Rocking the Barn 1950's Rockabilly Night Performing artists: Art Adams, Rocking Terry Lee & the Rockaboogie Band, and The Makeshifts ALSO:
Signed artist poster from recent benefit in Arkansas and CD's to be given away. All proceeds for Joyce, Billy's wife. Place: Mike's Music and Dance Barn State Road 46 West Nashville, Indiana 47448 Tickets: $10.00 Call 812-962-3445 for reservations....
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