Sunday, August 2, 2009
Music Billy Lee Riley, RIP
Posted by Chris Davis on Sun, Aug 2, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Guitars at half mast, please. Billy Lee Riley, the Sun Studio rockabilly artist who recorded atomic age classics such as "Flying Saucers Rock and Roll" and "Red Hot" is dead. It was recently reported that Riley, who had been in poor health since taking a bad fall in 2005, was suffering from the final stages of terminal cancer.
On August 30th, there will be a memorial show in Newport, Arkansas, featuring Sonny Burgess and the Pacers, WS Holland and his band, Travis Wammack, Carl Mann, Smoochy Smith, Ace Cannon and his band, Jr. Rogers, Warren Crow, J.M. VanEaton, Dale Hawkins, C.W. Gattin, and the Blues Brothers Band.
We'll have more to say about this influential and under-sung Memphis artist, in the meantime here's a clip from a live performance in 2003.
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A true Rock'n'Roll legend is gone but will remain in our hearts.
Sad thoughts from France.
Uncle Gil
Billy Lee Riley was one of the most all out balls to the wall rockabilly artists that ever was. God bless him we'll miss him and he'll live in our hearts forever.
DJ Tom Finn (New York City)
Some squares asked me recently who among Bill Haley, Pat Boone or Elvis was the father of Rock and Roll and how things happened. I answered them about Flying Saucers Rock'n'Roll and how some little green men had teach us how to rock in December 1956. So many are wrong, Rock'n'Roll isn’t coming from the USA ... It come from outer space. That's Mister Billy Lee Riley who told me that and he was there when things happened in Memphis. He was not only a witness but also a great original and, with his band on stage, he could drive anybody "Red Hot". On studio, they were able to back any rockabilly cat coming in Memphis without a band.
The Sun sound and legacy owe much to Billy Lee Riley. He will be not only remembered like a great rock'n'roller but also like an exceptionel human.
May him rest in peace down by the riverside.
Imperial
Sound of the 50's.
R.I.P.- BILLY LEE RILEY
Thank you for sharing your music with us over the years...
- - Miss Holley King
(host of "Rock-a-billy & BEYOND")
It was an honor to play piano in your band, Billy Lee. You were a true gentleman and a charismatic artist up to the end.
Billy Lee Riley was one of the true originators, certainly never got the respect and percs he deserved, but those of us who really know the music know that he was one class act and what a debt we all owe him for his influence on other musicians. RIP to a great talent!!!
Thanks to everyone who has loved and honored my Uncles talents. There will never be another Billy Lee Riley. Im sure he's already rocking in heaven down by the riverside. Willie Lee Riley
Willie Lee,
I was so sorry to hear about your Uncle. My Father Jimmy Wilson played piano with him. I was able to speak to your Uncle a few times over the past couple of years which was always a treat for me. He was a wonderful man and so much more then just his music. He will be greatly missed.
Sherri Wilson
Billy Lee Riley family & fans,
Another star from the newly named Rock & Roll Highway (US 67 in NE Ark) has left us with a great collection of musical history. The Benefit on {Sunday Aug 30th} looks to be a hot tribute show at the new Silver Moon Club in Newport, AR. The original silver moon club was lost to a fire decades ago but they have rebuilt behind where the original club stood.
The is a another private club, Bo-Bailey's in Newport that has a very interesting Photo History of the famous Legends of Rock & Roll that have roots in Jackson County and NE Arkansas. The Bo-Bailey's Club is located at the Fortune Inn & Suites in Newport. Billy Fortune & family have brought a unique club to the area. Check this place out, you'll be glad you did! Have a favorite cocktail or a cold beer, shoot a game of pool with friends and check out the old b&w photos of great musicians who played in the area back in the day. From Johnny Cash, Sonny Burgess, Billy Lee Riley to Elvis can be found in the photographs. Even some old local bands going back to the early 1940's when the airbase was active during WWII. Also some local sports legends can be found in photos.
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