Bill Black had two distinct phases of his career in which he made a notable mark on early rock & roll music: first as the rockabilly bass player for Elvis Presley and then as a bandleader of Bill Black's Combo, which scored numerous instrumental hits in the early '60s. It was truly the end of an era. Elvis Presley, Bill Black, Scotty Moore and Sam Phillips - Sun Records 1954. Black was a highly skilled musician and was a major contributor to the unique sound of Elvis early recordings. Tillman Franks, bassist and Johnny Hortons manager, praised Bill in making Elvis a success: Bill Black, the way he hit his bass fiddle, he sounded like a band all by himself. No one would steal Elvis' thunder again', Blackie's' routines were history. Until Now! 'From Memphis, Tennessee, one of the best bassmen in the business'. The line-up for the reformed group included Reggie and Scotty on electric guitars, Michael Leech on bass, Bobby Wood on piano, Ace Cannon on saxophone, Bobby Emmons on organ, D.J. What's the lowdown? Bill, like others involved with Elvis, thought little of the Colonel and had no time for him. His father, Vernon, did. The King was criticised for not attending Bills funeral as he thought his presence would turn the ceremony into a media frenzy focused on him and not the bassist. Posted on . Bill replied, in his typical blunt style', Well, he didn't impress me too damned much!' The best thing to come out of the Vegas stint was the group catching Freddie Bell and the Bell Boys doing an outrageous version of Leiber and Stollers 'Hound Dog'. The band released blues instrumental "Smokie" for Hi Records (Hi 2018) in December 1959. Directly across the street from American Sound, Bill at one time ran Lynn-Lou, a small recording studio. He was a member of Elvis band, the Blue Moon Boys, from 1954 to 1958. Bill and Scotty were heavily involved in constructing a song. Dirty Sticky Floors, Devils Roof, Geppetto, Wild and Free, Shallow Crystals, Justice of the Peace, and Golden Opportunity are all included. But less than 10 years later and Bill was dead.. In a temper, which was rare for him, he threw the guitar down and walked out. The Starlight Wranglers were a Sam Phillips group. Except for the RCA reissue of "Mystery Train" and "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" (with Scotty and Bill), they were no longer credited on record labels. Here he says he'll have a', Brand, spankin' new pose of Elvis for a picture. He decided instead to visit the family privately after the service to express his condolences. This was in an effort to treat a brain tumor that had been found. In 2022, Adam Dunn portrayed Black in the movie Elvis, starring Austin Butler. The reason being that the acoustic instrument was big enough to house the family hound dog! Author Robert Gordon put it well when he said that', Bill Black was an extremely affable, warm-hearted, and humorous guy who loved and appreciated the craziness in rock and roll'. Black later formed Bill Black's Combo. He was going to put us in jail. There were several personnel changes. Nine years older than Elvis, Bill did appear to be further down life's highway, with his hair receding at the sides, even in early photos. "I find I need excitement", he says. Black's body was buried, next to his father, William Patton Black Sr., at Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee. This was while talking with Mae B. Axton', I really am lucky to have those two boys', cause they really are good. Rumors of instrumental releases came and went. Both it and American are now long gone. The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Gary Tallent and Max Weinberg of the E Street Band Induct Bill Black It is easy to forget that, in the beginning, Elvis was only one part of a trio put together by Sam Phillips, which included Bill Black on bass and Scotty Moore on lead guitar. With all that was building and happening behind the scenes, it's really no surprise that Scotty and Bill did eventually leave Elvis, around the middle of September '57. And if that isn't a great recommendation for an Elvis book, then what is? rob stafford daughter chicago fire. On sax, Ace Cannon took over touring duties from Willis who remained in Memphis for the studio work and movie appearances. William Patton Black Jr. (September 17, 1926 - October 21, 1965) [1] was an American musician and bandleader who is noted as one of the pioneers of rock and roll. We have rehearsals, but we never rehearse, if you know what I mean'. When it was asked of D.J. One reason is that they were not being paid enough. With things going so well, the three quit their day jobs, also around October '54. He was a member of some of the most famous groups of all time, including The Who, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who, the Red Hot Chili Peppers Flea, and Atoms For Peaces James Jamerson. During 1955, for a short time, the boys went under the united name of the 'Blue Moon Boys'. His place in rock 'n' roll history is beyond question: 'One of the best bassmen in the business'. snow white parrot fish; beowulf's last words to wiglaf; anatomy and physiology of sensory system ppt; examples of wave interference in everyday life Recording for their new company of RCA went well though, despite all of this background 'noise', and Bill contributed a simple but very effective 'plodding' bass line to 'Heartbreak Hotel', the song which would introduce Elvis Presley to the world stage, and young musicians in so many other countries. Shepard, Billy Swan and others. EIN Website content Copyright the Elvis Information Network. How & where do I sell my Elvis collection. This seems to be backed up by the fact that Elvis cut the vocal track sometime after the backing was recorded. The 79-year-olds late wife Linda McCartney bought him the bass as a present during the 1970s. Meanwhile, Bill later made a complete transition to the electric bass and never looked back. I cant play it very well because Im an electric bass guy. why did bill black leave elvisdiscovery turbo shows australia. Combo picked to be one of four American acts supporting Beatles' first U.S. tour. During a break, as Elvis had done during the first recording session, it was Bill that started kidding, slapping the bass and singing that song. In 2005, Clay Steakley portrayed Black in the 2005 CBS miniseries Elvis, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers. There then followed a long period of rehearsals before any actual recording started. Another reason is that they felt Presley was not giving them enough credit for their contributions to his music. See you when I get out'. out of their 100 dollars a week. Scotty left the band, The Blue Moon Boys (Elvis, Scotty, Bill Black and drummer D.J. cook's country adam ried wife . He would grow up to be a well-built man, standing around the six-foot mark. The meeting lasted something like two hours. how did claudia gordon became deaf; why did bill black leave elvis. This is an excellent release no fan should be without it. [5], In July 1954, Sam Phillips, of Sun Records, asked Black and Moore to play backup for the as-yet-unknown Elvis Presley. This is in the strictest confidence. Despite any misgivings, Bill might have held after that first short meeting, the two began to work with Elvis in the tiny studio at 706 Union Avenue, an address they were destined to make world-famous. Elvis Presleys first bass player was Bill Black. It includes.. "Elvis is fun to have around, always got some jazz going, likes to keep up chatter and joking,' says Bill. At the time Doug Poindexter was the featured vocalist. On Thursday, 21st October, he died during an operation to try and remove part or all of the growth. Bruce Thomas (born August 14, 1948) is a rock bassist from England who is best known for his work with the Attractions, a band that performed and recorded alongside Elvis Costello in 1977. Black and Moore said they got $100 a week when they are not on the road, and $200 a week when they are on tour. Groundbreaking Sun sessions and such tracks as 'That's All Right', Just Because', Blue Moon Of Kentucky'.2. Tillman Franks, bassist and Johnny Horton's manager, praised Bill in making Elvis a success: "Bill Black, the way he hit his bass fiddle, he sounded like a band all by himself. Black continued his onstage "clown" persona and developed comedy routines with Presley. Further friction developed within the camp when the group wasn't allowed to back other artists or appear in their own right without Elvis. He's just an all-American boy, and all the American girls like him. Had he lived, it's quite possible that Bill Black too would have put in a guest appearance for old times sake on that '68 show. Mae would later receive co-writer credit, with Tommy Durden and Elvis, for 'Heartbreak Hotel'. Scotty and Bill paying D.J. Part Two The Bill Black Combo, plus his recording studio and publishing. With all the touring, it almost seemed that the large bass had a permanent bunk on the roof of the car back then. By 1956, the friendship was already pulling apart, with Bill, Scotty and D.J. At one point the Colonel is claimed to have wanted to drop Scotty and Bill, and bring in Hank Snow's backing group for Elvis. Johnny Black, Bill's brother and also upright bass player, who knew Elvis at Lauderdale Courts before Bill, recalls visiting Bill at the studio and reported that Bill would be totally absorbed mixing and playing back tracks. 1. Black performed as an exaggerated hillbilly with blacked-out teeth, straw hat and overalls. They tried a few songs, but nothing clicked. He was kind of mocking Bill Monroe, singing in a high falsetto voice. READ MORE:Elvis' love for his drummer Ronnie Tutt shared in tributes by Priscilla and Linda. Always seeming to be in need of a good meal. The single version, like most of his Sun work, features fine bass work from Bill. Between the 23rd April and 6th May 1956, Elvis, Scotty, Bill and D.J. String of hit singles and popular LP releases.2. [10] When the other two musicians joined in, Phillips taped the song. In 1963, Bob Tucker joined the Bill Black Combo as a road manager and guitar/bass player. Sign up for a free 30 day trial at the link to listen to unlimited music on Amazon Music! It was the beginning. The song ends with Elvis' rhythm guitar and a waning bass, without any contribution from Scotty. Later outfits, like the Mar-Keys and Booker T. and The MG's, would owe much to the music made by the Combo in its heyday. Scotty and Bill's friendship seems to have grown fast and strong. That's all it was. He's living just as clean and religious a life as any entertainer. Combo winning Billboard instrumental award three times. On April 4, 2009, Bill Black was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 'Blackie' with John 'Ace' Cannon and Hank Hankins, The Bill Black Combo - with 'Ace' Cannon, Hank Hawkins and a very young Bobby Emmons (later included on Chips Moman's Elvis Memphis Sessions) playing keyboards. It was too much sitting around with little else to do. Not only was he white, but also he sang pop and country ballads, not the rhythm and blues Sam was used to hearing. Elvis auditioned for him. Visually, a glimpse of Bill's act behind Elvis was caught during the 'Milton Berle Show', on the deck of the U.S.S. Eventually they would have two daughters, Nancy, Leigh-Ann and a son Louis. 6. During 1956, when asked for his favorite tracks, Bill named 'That's All Right' and 'Hound Dog'. There was also a 1000 Christmas bonus. nc high school coaching jobs; why did bill black leave elvis. Fontana was Elvis drummer from 1957 to 1968 and was a key member of the Memphis Mafia. Other notable Elvis drummers include Ronnie Tutt, who played on many of Elvis most famous recordings, and Karl Perazzo, who currently plays with the Elvis tribute band Elvis Lives. (These three were million sellers)Don't Be Cruel - #11 - 1960.Blue Tango - #16 - 1960.Hearts Of Stone - #20 - 1961.Ole Buttermilk Sky - #25 - 1961. Hits included 'Smokie Part 2' (HI 2018), written by Bill, and 'White Silver Sands' (Matthews) (HI 2021), in 1959 and '60. Interview with Dick Grob, Elvis' Head Of Security: Hollywood veteran Michael Hoey talks to EIN: Interview with 'Elvis Films FAQ' author Paul Simpson: "My Fast Life" Rare Elvis Presley 1964 Interview: Allyson Adams 'The Rebel and The King' Interview: Elvis Paradise Hawaiian Interview - with Peter Noone, Sam Thompson, Elvis' bodyguard, 2011 Interview. The fact is, I may sell them out there all night long!'. in October '93, when talking about a mid-SO's trip to San Antonio, Texas'.We all went down to (Scotty's) aunt's and ate food there. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Then that night, after the job, we went back to the hotel. But for a white artist at that time it was easier . Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley and Bill Black - 1954. Author Paul Belard has tracked down so many interviews and news articles, with it all combining to make an enthralling look into the life of bass-man Bill Black. Elvis Don't Be Cruel is featured along with The Bill Black combo version of the same song. Combo winning Billboard instrumental award three times.3. Elvis Australia was founded in 1996 www.elvis.com.au was literally born from the concept of wanting to represent 'Elvis in Australia', so www.elvis.com.au Read more. Bill Black's Combo cut more than 20 albums, toured the United States and Europe and won awards as the best instrumental group in America in 1966 and 1967. Black worked at the Firestone plant. The house band for these sessions was the Shylo Band, featuring guitarist/songwriter Ronnie Scaife, nephew of Cecil Scaife, famed Sun Studio engineer. He called a halt to such things. Hell, thats differentthat's a pop song now, nearly bout. Canadian tour of 157 - Elvis' only performances outside the U.S. He gets so worked up during 'Blue Suede Shoes' that, at one point, he looks like he's just about to ride his instrument off into the sunset! Bill himself stopped road work in the early '60s, when ill health started to take its toll. He plucked like crazy at the strings of his 'dog house', and sang the lyrics in a high falsetto voice, bringing both amusement and inspiration to those present. . As Elvis did everything to the extreme womanizing, pill-taking, gunning, eating he also dieted with little to no concern for his personal well-being. Knowing that you are a man of your word and faithfully devoted to us your complete silence has me worried. He started playing his guitar and sang along with him". Bill Black was one of the key players at the start of the rock 'n' roll explosion yet there has never been a good biography about his personal story and involvement in Elvis's incredible journey until now. Bill believed, and rightly so, that he and Scotty were important and should have no problem talking with Elvis, more so than all the females and hangers-on who contributed little or nothing to the act. I suspect the reason why he hadn't adopted it is because he was known for his on-stage . Bill Black adding his pounding beat to Johnny Horton recording sessions Bill is happier leading his own combo than he was in those mad days with Elvis. When Elvis was at Humes High School, he was on the boxing team. Elvis Presley lived most of his life and career in the limelight. Elvis would chat with him, tell him about his father, Bill. replied that that wasn't so', No. The new film will focus on the relationship between the star and his manager during his career from the 1950s through to the 1970s. Her singer/songwriter/actor son, Hoyt, would compose another track known to Elvis fans', Never Been To Spain', covered in the '70s. But its a great sound and as long as the part Im doing is simple, I can manage it., DON'T MISSElvis Presleys three non-negotiable rules for new girlfriends WATCH[VIDEO]Elvis Presley's Blue Hawaii co-star Angela Lansbury on 'caring' King[BLUE HAWAII]Elvis ex Mindi Miller's first date with The King: Remarkable energy[MINDI MILLER]. This includes a lengthy Memphis Press-Scimitar interview from December 1956. The manager came out. Bill Black looked for a future elsewhere, he went after his dream, and a more permanent career within music. There are a number of reasons why Scotty Moore and Bill Black left Elvis Presley's band. Elvis certainly capitalized on this through his choice of material and performance stylehis sexualized scandalousness was linked in large part to the fact that he was imitating, or referencing,. His son Louis would frequently visit Graceland. Regarding That's All Right Belard neatly explains, "Listening to "That's All Right" with the speakers turned up, one can revel in the gloriously rich colors this trio creates. At the start of Bill's musical career, his choice was known as a 'dog house' bass. Tragically, Bill died of a brain tumour on October 21, 1965 aged just 39 during his third operation to eradicate the growth. "That is something that you saw in his SAP for this particular D.C. crime bill, and if Congress sends him a bill making D.C. a state, he'll always, always be sure to sign it, because he's been talking about that for the last two decades, but vetoing the bill heading to his desk now won't make D.C. a state, and so those are the things . After various attempts at songs, the group 'stumbled upon' the sound which gave them 'That's All Right (Mama)', on Tuesday, 6th July 1954. 2. . No part of any article on this site may be re-printed for public display without permission. This done them nothing but good and they went on to become one of the most popular instrumental groups in the States during that final year of the '50s and the early '60s. Elvis Presley was a completely different person in private says ex, Paul McCartney with Bill Black's bass today, (Image: MARY MCCARTNEY/MPL COMMUNICATION), Elvis' love for his drummer Ronnie Tutt shared in tributes by Priscilla and Linda, Elvis Presleys three non-negotiable rules for new girlfriends WATCH, Elvis ex Mindi Miller's first date with The King: Remarkable energy, Lisa Marie felt weight of Elvis' legacy recording cathartic album, Elvis: Linda Thompson's story of The Kings lavish generosity. It was becoming harder and harder to see Elvis, with the growing 'mafia' that now surrounded him. [18][19], Black played on early Presley recordings including "Good Rockin' Tonight", "Heartbreak Hotel", "Baby Let's Play House", "Mystery Train", "That's All Right", and "Hound Dog", and eventually became one of the first bass players to use the Fender Precision Bass (bass guitar) in popular music, on "Jailhouse Rock", in the late 1950s. 1. After Elvis had left, Scotty asked Bill what he thought. But less than 10 years later and Bill was dead. Nine years older than Elvis, Bill did appear to be further down life's highway, with his hair receding at the sides, even in early photos. April 21, 2009. This was after it had done some 20, 000 miles. Keith Alverson Interview - 'Strictly Elvis: 1973-74-75': Mindi Miller, Elvis' girlfriend, interview with EIN: (Interview) Bill "Superfoot" Wallace talks to EIN: Go here to EIN's exclusive interview with Wayne Jackson -. The commentary on Bill Black's importance and style of his bass playing even made me go back to re-visit some Elvis fifties classics once again, helping me discover something new. The show was carried by 190 CBS stations across the south, between 8pm.- 11pm., and there's no way to measure the huge boost this gave the boys and their style of music.