Larry Williams, though born in New Orleans in 1935, recorded in Los Angeles for Art Rupe’s Specialty label – the home of Little Richard.
Williams formed his first group at the age of 16, and when the band split up he spent a brief spell playing bass with Fats Domino‘s band.
When Little Richard abandoned rock ‘n’ roll in 1957 to follow his faith, Speciality Records called on Williams to fill his place on their roster.
Having endured a troubled early life and then become Lloyd Price’s valet, Williams cut a slew of hit singles – including Short Fat Fannie and Bony Moronie – whose impact on UK beat acts proved to be immense.
His work particularly attracted the attention of The Beatles who covered no fewer than three of his songs – Dizzy Miss Lizzy, Slow Down and Bad Boy – bringing him some much-needed income.
Something of a hell-raiser, Williams continued to record and perform (and produce) – but only when he wasn’t imprisoned for drug convictions.
His last album, Here’s Larry Williams, (1978) featured the modish reinvention Bony Moronie (Disco Queen).
In January 1980, Williams was found dead in his home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 44.
Related Posts
Long Ryders, The Hailing from Los Angeles, The Long Ryders formed in November 1981 and based their sound on a blend of psychedelia,…
Penguins, The Curtis Williams was a member of vocal group The Hollywood Flames formed in Watts, Los Angeles in 1949. However, in…
Little Richard Little Richard made the kind of Rock 'n' Roll you think only exists in the movies. Richard pounds the piano,…
Association, The Formed in California in 1965, The Association enjoyed a brief reign in the international music charts during the mid-60s. They…
Smith Smith formed in Los Angeles in 1969 and were discovered by 1960s rocker Del Shannon in a nightclub there. Shannon…
Juicy Lucy Juicy Lucy was formed in 1968 from the ashes of a psychedelic garage band called The Misunderstood, who had released…
Hank Williams Hiram King "Hank" Williams was born in Alabama and began playing guitar at the age of eight. As a teenager,…
Smiley Lewis Hailing from New Orleans, Smiley - real name Overton Lemon - recorded initially for Deluxe before joining Imperial in 1950.…
