Billy Strange
 |
This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (January 2010) |
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2010) |
| Billy Strange | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | William Everett Strange |
| Born | September 29, 1930 Long Beach, California |
| Died | February 22, 2012 (aged 81) Nashville, Tennessee |
William Everett "Billy" Strange (September 29, 1930 – February 22, 2012) was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and actor.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Billy Strange was born in Long Beach, California on Sept. 29, 1930.[1]
[edit] Recordings and songwriting
Strange teamed up with Mac Davis to write several hit songs for Elvis Presley, including "A Little Less Conversation", the theme from Charro!, and "Memories". Strange also composed the musical soundtrack for two of Elvis' films Live a Little, Love a Little and The Trouble with Girls. He also wrote "Limbo Rock" for Chubby Checker.[citation needed]
Strange recorded many cover versions of James Bond movie themes for GNP Crescendo Records and provided the instrumental backing and arrangement for Nancy Sinatra's non-soundtrack version of "You Only Live Twice" as well as Nancy and Frank Sinatra's "Somethin' Stupid". He was recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame for his pioneering contribution to the genre.[2] Billy Strange was inducted into the Musicians Hall Of Fame & Museum.
Strange played guitar on numerous Beach Boys hits, including "Sloop John B" and the groundbreaking Pet Sounds album. He also played a guitar for Nancy Sinatra, Jan & Dean, The Ventures, Willie Nelson, The Everly Brothers, Wanda Jackson, Randy Newman, and Nat King Cole, among others. One of his most famous performances is on Nancy Sinatra's version of Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down).
Strange arranged and conducted all of Nancy Sinatra's Reprise albums as well as Nancy Sinatra's and Lee Hazlewood's 1972 RCA Records release, Nancy & Lee Again and their 2003 album, Nancy & Lee 3. He also arranged the 1981 Nancy Sinatra and Mel Tillis album, Mel & Nancy. He arranged and conducted for Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Duane Eddy, and Elvis Presley. One of his most famous arrangements was "These Boots are made for Walkin'" for Nancy Sinatra. Strange also performed the vocals for Steve McQueen in Baby the Rain Must Fall.[3](NOTE: Glen Yarbrough sang 'Baby the Rain Must Fall)
"A Little Less Conversation (Junkie XL Remix)", which he wrote with Scott Davis, was on the soundtrack of both the DreamWorks animated feature films Shark Tale (2004) and Megamind (2010).[4]
He sang his own composition, "The Ballad of Bunny and Claude", in the Merrie Melodies Bunny And Claude (We Rob Carrot Patches) (1968) and The Great Carrot-Train Robbery (1969).[4]
[edit] Personal life
Strange was married to singer and actress Joan O'Brien from 1954 to 1955. They had a son, Russell Glen Strange, born October 4, 1955.
He was also married to Betty Jo Conrad from 1960 to 1978. They had a daughter together, Kelly Kimberly Strange, born on November 11, 1964, and a stepson from Betty's previous marriage, Jerry Joseph Mitchell, born October 23, 1954.
While separated from Betty Jo, Strange moved from CA to TN to open & run a publishing firm for the Sinatra's and lived with/dated Tricia "LeAnn" King. They had a daughter, Mary "Micah" King (Strange), she was born on December 23, 1976 in Lawrenceburg, TN.
He was married to singer Jeanne Black in his last years.
Billy Strange died on February 22, 2012, age 81.
[edit] Selected filmography
As actor:
- Coal Miner's Daughter, as Speedy West, (1980)
Soundtrack:
- Elvis, (1968)
- The Simpsons, 1 episode, (1995)
- Ocean's Eleven, (2001)
- Smallville, 1 episode, (2002)
- Everybody Loves Raymond, 1 episode, (2003)
- Bruce Almighty, (2003)
- Shark Tale, (2004)
- Megamind, (2010)
[edit] Selected discography
- Billy Strange Plays Roger Miller
- Great Western Themes
- The James Bond Theme / Walk Don't Run '64
- English Hits of '65
- In the Mexican Bag
- Billy Strange and The Challengers
- Strange Country
- 12 String Guitar
- Railroad Man
- Secret Agent File (compilation)
- Mr. Guitar
- Super Scary Monster Party (compilation)
- Goldfinger
- James Bond Double Feature
- De Sade (film soundtrack)
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-billy-strange-20120224,0,767015.story
- ^ RAB Hall of Fame: Billy Strange
- ^ Official site for Billy Strange
- ^ a b Ethan Minovitz, Ethan (22 February 2012). "Guitarist and songwriter Billy Strange dies at 81". Big Cartoon News. http://blog.bcdb.com/guitarist-songwriter-billy-strange-dies-81-3222/. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
