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. replied that that wasn't so', No. Bill's final recordings with Elvis came on Sunday, 1st February 1958, when they cut 'My Wish Came True', Doncha' Think It's Time', Your Cheatin' Heart', and 'Wear My Ring Around Your Neck'. And I'll have about four or five million of them. Elvis was on a 12, 500 dollar fee, per week. out of their 100 dollars a week. [5], In July 1954, Sam Phillips, of Sun Records, asked Black and Moore to play backup for the as-yet-unknown Elvis Presley. Elvis would chat with him, tell him about his father, Bill. I haven't played a Flexdisc in years. This song feels just as fresh today as it was close to seventy years ago.. Last edited on 23 February 2023, at 08:46, List of artists who reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart, "Official Legal Title of Crudup's (and Elvis's) "That's All Right", "Elvis Presley's Sun Recordings: SUN Studios, Memphis Tennessee: Elvis Articles:: 'For Elvis Fans Only' Official Elvis Presley Fan Club", "RCS Label Shot for RCA Victor (N.J.) 6357", "RCS Label Shot for RCA Victor (N.J.) 6380", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bill_Black&oldid=1141091970, This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 08:46. Elvis Presleys first bass player was Bill Black. This seems to be backed up by the fact that Elvis cut the vocal track sometime after the backing was recorded. As well as the 'Hayride', which they would perform on at least fifty times, well into 1956, there were countless one-night stands which also made them tight as a unit and helped establish them. The line-up included: Bill Black - bass.Carl McVoy - piano.Reggie 'Reg' - Young - guitar.Martin Wills - saxophone.Jerry Arnold - drums. Not only was he white, but also he sang pop and country ballads, not the rhythm and blues Sam was used to hearing. 'Elvis' Fact or Fiction: What's Real and What's Not in - Variety rob stafford daughter chicago fire. We extend our deepest sympathies to his friends and family at this difficult time, and we hope that his music will live on through his legacy. His father, Vernon, did. Hancock, at the Naval Station, San Diego, on Tuesday, 3rd April 1956. . With Scotty as leader, they issued the Sun single 'Now She Cares No More For Me' / 'My Kind Of Carrying On' (SUN 202), on Saturday, 1st May 1954. Very sadly Bill Black died of a brain tumour in October 1965, he was only 39 years old. They married a year later, in 1946. Black and Moore continued to work with Presley until 1958 . Apart from Bill, there were younger brothers Johnny', Jack' (who would also become a musician), and Kenny, and sister Mary-Ann. They received rave reviews in Rolling Stone and People magazine and video airplay on MTV. [9] During the break, Presley began "acting the fool" with Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right (Mama)," a blues song. Black was an important part of the early Presley sound with his slap stand-up bass and ebullient onstage manner. We never rehearse outside of record sessions. During 1956, when asked for his favorite tracks, Bill named 'That's All Right' and 'Hound Dog'. One reason is that they were not being paid enough. Nine years older than Elvis, Bill did appear to be further down life's highway, with his He also looked a little 'chubby'. Each one of them has an individual style of their own'. Scotty confirmed that, If it hadnt been for Bill, we would have bombed many times in the early days.. [1] Directly across the street from American Sound, Bill at one time ran Lynn-Lou, a small recording studio. I somehow think not. Gladys and later Elvis was also buried there, prior to their being moved to Graceland on Sunday, 2nd October 1977. The line was being drawn. His friendship with rockabilly star Glen Glenn A born joker in both image and nature. Bill's death obviously hit Elvis very hard and the book includes this positive note - 'Bill's children acknowledged Elvis was always kind to them. Elvis Presley's songs are unforgettable - they have stood the test of time, especially his singles of the 1950s, a decade in which he had a song at No. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. There have been many Elvis drummers over the years, but the most famous is probably D.J. There was also a 1000 Christmas bonus. On entering the army in 1958, according to Scotty Moore, Elvis never said 'goodbye' but', So long. Don't pay him no mind'. John Entwistles influence on bass playing was undeniable, and his death at the age of 66 leaves a huge void in the music world. "It makes me feel good when I make people happy, listening and dancing to my music". Possibly the restriction of access too was on the orders of the Colonel. The research is impressive, as are all the delightful stories about this great musician. 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. When Elvis was at Humes High School, he was on the boxing team. by Charlie Kerlinger | Nov 27, 2022 | Famous Musicians. The Holifield's owned record stores and also booked concerts by artists such as Johnny Cash and Elvis. The combination made for the classic rock and roll sounds, which paved the way and still effects listeners like a million volts all these years later'.Blackie' was every bit as important within that unit as any of the other three, even if he's not as well written up as them. 1. for 59 weeks and 4 No. The final show surfaced on 'Elvis Aron Presley' in 1980. The Combo linked up with another musical phenomenon when, along with fellow American artists the Exciters, Jackie DeShannon, and the Righteous Brothers, they supported The Beatles on their first tour of the States during late summer 1964 (19th August - 20th September). [3][28] Presley was criticized for not attending the funeral, but he believed that his presence would turn it into a media frenzy. While he had been doing his military service in Virginia in the mid-'40s, Bill had met 15-year-old Evelyn. (August 1117, 2007). Scotty hung in there, doing some recording and session work with people like Jerry Lee Lewis. This was in an effort to treat a brain tumor that had been found. I've never seen him blow his top more than once or twice, and that was when he was just worn out.". Your daddy would come down through there and get everybody to laughing and loosen them up. Bill had left home before the Presley's moved into the building. It was too much sitting around with little else to do. [23] A follow-up release, "White Silver Sands" (Hi 2021), was a Top 10 hit (#9) and, like its predecessor, topped the R&B charts for four weeks.[3][22]. 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. The Inside Story of Elvis Presley's Iconic 1968 Comeback Special Despite this, Bill usually appears to have slits for eyes and a face A born joker in both image and nature. The attention inspired Marshall Crenshaw to record Bens Im Sorry (But So Is Brenda Lee) for his Downtown album. Elvis Don't Be Cruel is featured along with The Bill Black combo version of the same song. I cant play it very well because Im an electric bass guy. No one would steal Elvis' thunder again', Blackie's' routines were history. Black's body was buried, next to his father, William Patton Black Sr., at Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee. He then moved out to Corpus Christi, but would head home to Memphis with his wife after hearing 'That's All Right', and knowing that something was breaking musically in the city. Elvis Presley lived most of his life and career in the limelight. More info. "Would He Still Be King?". 'Blackie' with Joe Coughi, owner of Poplar Tunes record store and 'Hi Records' studio. With his natural gifts of humor, warmth, and chat, Bill also had the job of hawking early Elvis photographs at those mid-SO's shows. 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. He returned home to have his then-wife tell him that Bill had passed on a few days before. READ MORE:Elvis' love for his drummer Ronnie Tutt shared in tributes by Priscilla and Linda. He helped an insecure, 19-year-old truck driving Mississippi kid called Elvis, change the world through music, and more than a little humor, going on to build a successful second career with his Combo and that 'Untouchable Sound'. This caused a lot of bitterness at the time, including threats to quit. 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. . The first months of 1957 were taken up by the making of Elvis' second movie, 'Loving You'. Quite often it was his joking around that took some of the heat off of Elvis, making the crowd laugh at Black's comedy routines, and stopping them running the Mississippi Tupelo Flash out of town on a rail! Nothings going to happen with it.. Bill Black's connection with the very influential Hi Records Studios (Al Green etc) We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. All of this was sometimes done while he was wearing an oversized pair of bloomers! Other joys include a unique foreward by bassist Suzi Quatro we are the engine that drive the car- tributes to Blackie from other bass players and plenty of comments from Scotty Moore. First RCA sessions and such tracks as 'Heartbreak Hotel', Don't Be Cruel', My Baby Left Me', Hound Dog'.5. [26] The studio recorded many Bill Black Combo albums (with billings such as "The Best Honky Tonk Band in America" and "The band who opened for the Beatles")[citation needed] and produced number-one country hits for Charly McClain, T.G. How & where do I sell my Elvis collection. This features a fine section on all the key players, the protagonists being Bill Black, Scotty Moore, Sam Phillips, DJ Fontana, Elvis Presley - plus The Starlight Wranglers - all of whom are neatly encapsulated. Elvis auditioned for him. Highly recommended. The balance fit the group's performances. Johnny Black can be seen in Alan Freed's rock exploitation movie', Rock, Rock, Rock', made in Hollywood during 1957. There is some film footage from the period too. While in the Army, he met Evelyn, who played guitar as a member of a musical family. Known as 'The Untouchable Sound', chart success saw them receive Billboard's 'Most Played Instrumental Group' award no less than three times in those years. Black himself had been ill for the past year and a half and unable to travel. 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. Actor Blake Gibbons portrayed Black in the short-lived 1990 TV series Elvis, starring Michael St. Gerard. Legend has it that Bill just couldn't get the bass line right on the smaller instrument, and the bass track was everything to the number. Always seeming to be in need of a good meal. List Of Elvis Drummers Sidenote: From the Sept 9 1956 Ed Sullivan Show Elvis was paid $6029, Col Parker took $4166 while Scotty Moore and Bill Black only got paid $165 each! 17 U.S. pop hit, and made number one on the "black" music charts. He very much wanted to be a part of whatever it was. Elvis offered then another 50 dollars and, for a short time, the rift was healed. Why did Scotty leave Elvis band? - Quora Bill and Scotty were heavily involved in constructing a song. Confident and clear as bells, Elvis' playing is soon invigorated by Bill's bass. The band hadn't been used on 1956's 'Love Me Tender'. Sidenote: The book also comes with a neat Bonus of a flexi-disc. The reason being that the acoustic instrument was big enough to house the family hound dog! String of hit singles and popular LP releases. why did bill black leave elvis. Review by Piers Beagley. r/Elvis - Did Bill Black play a standup acoustic bass behind Elvis Bill Black/Combo Post-Elvis Peaks: 1. On this twofer, David Hood in the bass chair with Muscle Shoals Swamper, you can get away with listening to extended live slabs of Traffic On The Road. 16/06/2022 . He's big-hearted, naturally high-strung, not hot-tempered. As I've already noted, some thought Johnny was the better of the two. The lineup was Black (bass), Joe Lewis Hall (piano), Reggie Young (guitar), Martin Willis (saxophone), and Jerry Arnold (drums). This was during the making of the classic 'Jailhouse Rock' movie, Elvis' third. . 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. 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. This includes 45 pages about the second part of his career plus 70 pages of tributes, a look at his legacy, lots of rare photographs plus his vinyl releases. When did Bill Black leave Elvis? In 1983, he formed the Ben Vaughn Combo. They'd met and become friends at the 'Hayride', where Dominic Joseph was the staff drummer. On Thursday, 21st October, he died during an operation to try and remove part or all of the growth. But feelings were running deeper it seems. I, for one, was more than a little amazed at the number of places I had to look to collect this information, which I hoped to put together in a form which would help in some way towards righting a wrong, and giving a somewhat clearer picture of just how important Bill was in the Elvis Presley story and beyond it. The Bill Black Combo was formed soon after the parting with Elvis. Sign up for a free 30 day trial at the link to listen to unlimited music on Amazon Music! [2][3] His father played popular songs on the banjo and fiddle to entertain the family. was mainly due to the others in the group being wiry and angular. wasn't at the funeral either. 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. William Patton Black Jr. was born on September 17, 1926, in Memphis, Tennessee, to a motorman for the Memphis Street Railway Co. Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley and Bill Black - September 9,1954. Black's main stand-up bass is today owned by ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, who received the instrument as a birthday present from his wife Linda in the late 1970s. Bill kept his bass at the Moore house since by then the Black's already had two children and little room for the huge instrument. He was going to put us in jail. "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 . Visually, a glimpse of Bill's act behind Elvis was caught during the 'Milton Berle Show', on the deck of the U.S.S. Elvis said, From Memphis Tennessee, One of the best bassmen in the business. Colonel Tom also told Bill to cut back on the clowning around on stage. They tried a few songs, but nothing clicked. Designer was called 'man who dressed the King' - Los Angeles Times Black later formed Bill Black's Combo . Bill Black looked for a future elsewhere, he went after his dream, and a more permanent career within music. As the story goes, he (Bill Black) couldn't get the bass part right on the electric bass so he got frustrated and walked out. 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]. According to his son, Black said his goal was always to give his audience "a few moments of entertainment and maybe a little bit of humor that'll tickle 'em for a while. Elvis sense of rhythm was uncanny. Elvis Presley: Why The King's Cousin Says He Kept His - Outsider Yours truly Bill Black. Nonetheless, he insisted that the band continue without him. Bob Tucker worked for the University of Memphis as Professor of Music Business while leading the combo. Another reason is that they felt Presley was not giving them enough credit for their contributions to his music. Bob Tucker replaced him on dates. You hear a competent unit before a largely unresponsive audience of older gamblers. 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. [3], He began playing the upright double bass, modeling his "slap bass" technique after one of his idols, Fred Maddox, of Maddox Brothers and Rose. [11] Black remarked, "Damn. why did bill black leave elvis why did bill black leave elvis 'Elvis: Ohama, Nebraska '74' FTD in-depth Review: Elvis / Orchestra Copenhagen 2018 Concert Review: 'The Complete 50s Movie Masters And Session Recordings' In-Depth Review: Bicycle Rider: Thoughts on The Searcher: (Book Review) Counting Down Elvis His 100 Finest Songs (Mark Duffett). Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley and Bill Black - 1954. The number of photographs and relevant memorabilia in the book is extremely impressive and the design very stylish- with each chapter introduced by an old-fashioned silver gelatin styled image. Overall Verdict: Packed full of rare photos and new stories to add to the Elvis' legacy, this is a truly fascinating book. It would be very fitting if the trio ofRonnie Wood,Nicky Hopkins, and Ian McLagan all contributed a single cut to the collection. This was mainly due to the others in the group being wiry and angular. Bill Black was a talented musician, and he was a key part of the Elvis Presley sound. Country radio stations said Elvis sounded too Black to play, and the stations that played rhythm and blues said he sounded too much like a hillbilly. Blackie | Bill Black and Elvis Presley | Elvis Articles [16] Their recordings at Sun were released with the credits as "Elvis Presley, Scotty and Bill." 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. See you when I get out'. Despite this, Bill usually appears to have slits for eyes and a face split in half by a huge grin. He also looked a little 'chubby'. 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. Starting back in 2017 author Paul Belard has published multiple books looking back at Elvis' legacy often examining a specific time period, but never an in depth biography. ", Over the next 15 months, the trio released five singles, toured across the South, and appeared regularly on the Louisiana Hayride. Elvis: How did Elvis' bassist Bill Black die and what's his connection D.J. 1. Sam Phillips' Impact on Elvis Presley at Sun Records - Elvis History Blog Canadian tour of 157 - Elvis' only performances outside the U.S. In December 1956, Bill said', When we get together with Elvis and the Jordanaires we have a lot of fun. The early part of the book also explains how Blackies joking antics on-stage often saved an Elvis performance from a difficult crowd. McCartney has used the instrument on various recordings of his since 1979. He's living just as clean and religious a life as any entertainer. Further friction developed within the camp when the group wasn't allowed to back other artists or appear in their own right without Elvis. Finally, they were both interested in pursuing other musical projects. He wanted it made clear who the star was. Hell, thats differentthat's a pop song now, nearly bout. Hollywood's new leading man, 31, told . This was mainly due to the others in the group being wiry and angular. 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. You can unsubscribe at any time. "He was a comedian who could warm up a crowd. With Elvis receiving 50% of the fees, and Scotty and Bill splitting the other 50%, paying D.J. This includes a lengthy Memphis Press-Scimitar interview from December 1956. [17], In 1955, Black went to RCA Victor along with Presley and Moore when Presley's contract was sold to that company. [3], Albums with themes included Bill Black's Combo Plays Tunes by Chuck Berry, Bill Black's Combo Goes Big Band, Bill Black's Combo Goes West, and Bill Black's Combo Plays the Blues. 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'. Carl McVoy, an original group member, was the cousin of Sun rocker Jerry Lee Lewis, plus Mickey Gilley and evangelist Jimmy Swaggart. Fun and games still continued away from the spotlight. There must have been fifteen or twenty people there, kids, so they all jumped in behind him. Memphis Mansions Henrik Knudsen fortuitously befriended Bill Black's family and was entrusted with the familys treasured scrapbook. This was Wink Martindale's going away party. A fabulous photo of Elvis, Scotty Moore and Bill Black having lunch with 'Pop' 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. The Dark Truth Behind Elvis - Grunge.com They were introduced by Frank Page and performed both sides of that first release (SUN 209). The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. This was while talking with Mae B. Axton', I really am lucky to have those two boys', cause they really are good. For someone who played such a large part in the early years of the Elvis legend, helping provide the music and establishing the hillbilly cat, it's more than a little surprising how few and spread about are the details of Bill Black. It made for a strange mix. Eight of the recordings by Bill Black's Combo placed in the Top 40 between 1959 and 1962. The story of how Parker successively forced both Scotty and Bill Black to quit the band is particularly disturbing, and the fact that Elvis did not stand up for his friends is also rather sad. - Elvis, on stage, 1954. may be re-printed for public display without permission. He and Reggie Young would play on Elvis' classic Memphis '69 sessions, which would play such a major part in his late 60's comeback, producing the outstanding album From Elvis In Memphis. 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. And if that isn't a great recommendation for an Elvis book, then what is? Elvis did another song in his shows that I'm stealing, 'You Gave Me a Mountain.' I'm bringing that back, too." With all the touring, it almost seemed that the large bass had a permanent bunk on the roof of the car back then. It even added its sound to The Beatles 'reunion' track', Real Love', in 1995. With the move to RCA, their contribution was not diminished. It is also essential to realise that the all-important flip-side Blue Moon of Kentucky might not have happened without Bill Blacks input.. "A few days after the taping of "That's All Right" the trio was back in the studio to record a B-side for a single release.