Larry Williams
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- See Larry Williams (trader) for the technical analyst and financial trader.
| Larry Williams | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Lawrence E. Williams |
| Born | May 10, 1935 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States[1] |
| Origin | New Orleans |
| Died | January 7, 1980 (aged 44) Los Angeles, California[1] |
| Genre(s) | Rock and roll Rhythm and blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, Piano |
| Years active | 1950s - 1980 |
| Label(s) | Specialty |
Larry Williams (May 10, 1935 – January 7, 1980[1]) was an American rhythm and blues and rock and roll singer, songwriter and pianist from New Orleans, Louisiana. Williams is best known for writing and recording some rock and roll standards from 1957 to 1959 for Specialty Records, including "Short Fat Fannie", "Bony Moronie" and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy"[1] (see also: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll).
Contents |
[edit] Career
As a child in New Orleans, Williams learned how to play piano.[1] When he was a teenager, he and his family moved to Oakland, California, where he joined a local R&B group called the Lemon Drops.[1] In 1954, when he was 19 years old, Williams went back to New Orleans for a visit.[1] Having started his career as the chauffeur of Lloyd Price, his three biggest successes were "Short Fat Fannie", which was his first hit, reaching #5 in Billboard's pop chart, "High School Dance", which also made #5, and "Bony Moronie", which peaked at #14. Both "Short Fat Fanny" and "Bony Moronie" sold over one million copies, gaining gold discs.[2]
Several of his songs achieved later success as revivals by The Beatles ("Bad Boy", "Slow Down", and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy"); The Rolling Stones ("She Said Yeah"); and John Lennon's versions of "Bony Moronie" and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy".
Williams' first records were released by Specialty, when that record label's biggest star (and Williams's friend from 1955 in New Orleans), Little Richard, first left rock and roll in July 1957 to pursue the ministry.[1] Groomed by pioneering R&B record producer, Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell, as Little Richard's successor, Williams' records had the same raw, shouting vocals and piano-driven intensity.[3]
Williams had been involved with underworld activity since his early teens, and had reputedly been a pimp before he ever recorded music. After 1957 Williams did not have much success selling records. He recorded a number of songs in 1958 and 1959, including "Heebie Jeebies", with band members such as Plas Johnson on tenor sax and Alvin "Red" Tyler on baritone, Barney Kessel on guitar, Gerald Wilson on trumpet, Ernie Freeman or Williams himself on piano, and Earl Palmer on drums. Williams was convicted of dealing narcotics in 1960 and served a jail term, setting back his career considerably.[1] However, Williams made a comeback in the mid 1960s with a band that included Johnny "Guitar" Watson, which paired him musically with Little Richard at the Okeh Club.[1] This period garnered few hits but produced some of his best and most original work. There was also a brief dalliance with disco in the 1970s.
Williams' wild lifestyle continued, and by the late 1970s violence took its toll on him and his friends.
In 1977, Little Richard narrowly escaped being shot by his long-time friend, Williams, over a drug debt. Williams was wildly angry but ended up showing compassion on his old friend by letting him go.[4] This, along with other factors, led to Penniman's return to born again Christianity and the ministry, but Williams would not escape LA's seedy underworld.
[edit] Death
On January 7, 1980, Williams was found dead from a gunshot wound to his head in his Los Angeles, California home.[1] He was 44 years old. The death was deemed suicide, though there was much speculation otherwise.[1] No suspects were ever arrested or charged.
A Southern Illinois blues singer by the name of Martin Albritton claims to be the "real" Larry Williams, alive and well. This claim originated at about the time Larry Williams was found dead. Albritton has toured the country performing under the moniker of "Big" Larry Williams, and has gone so far as to claim that he recorded the hits "Bony Moronie" and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy". He did record an album in 1991 called "Street Party" with the Mellow Fellows band, previously headed by Big Twist. While touring with the Mellow Fellows in New York, Albritton was confronted by a family member of Larry Williams, and asked to cease any future reference to "Larry Williams". Albritton refused, and presently continues to use the name. No litigation has been discussed.
[edit] Selective list of recorded cover versions
- "Bony Moronie": John Lennon, Johnny Burnette, Dr. Feelgood, Flying Burrito Brothers, Johnny Winter, Little Richard, Paul Jones, Showaddywaddy, The Who, Jumpin' Gene Simmons, The Shadows, Ritchie Valens, Bill Haley & His Comets, The Creation, Freddy Fender, The Aztecs, The Rebel Rousers, The Standells, Hush.
- "Bony Moronie" (plus Spanish version as "Popotitos"): Mike Ríos con Los Relámpagos, Alejandra Guzmán, Serú Girán, Luis Miguel, Dúo Dinámico, Ricky Martin
- "Slow Down": Alvin Lee, Blodwyn Pig, Episode Six, The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Johnny Hallyday, The Jam, Brian May, The Young Rascals
- "Groovy Little Suzy": Little Richard
- "Bad Boy": The Beatles
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:difexqr5ldfe~T1. Retrieved on 16 December 2008.
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 97. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ Charles A. White, The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Authorized Biography, Omnibus Press, 2003, pages 77-78
- ^ Charles A. White, The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Authorized Biography, Omnibus Press, 2003, pg. 186
