I heard about a fundraiser to help Billy Lee Riley before he passed. The fundraiser unfortunately turned into a tribute for Riley and a fundraiser for his widow, Joyce.
If he had stayed with us he would have enjoyed himself. Riley was an original Sun recording artist with Rock and Roll hits in the fifties. His most popular songs are "Red Hot" and "Flying Saucer Rack And Roll". The stage was littered with his cohorts. Musicians that love music so much they're still playing it after more than fifty years.
It was a great show and a great sendoff for a man who dedicated his life to music. Because Billy Lee Riley never quit playing music either. In the sixties and the seventies he was a top LA session man adding his harmonica and guitar to a string of hits. In the eighties Europe discovered his music and over there he was bigger than Elvis. Then in the nineties he recorded his Blues CDs, "Blue Collar Blues" and "Hot Damn" proving that he still had it.
I got to see him play with Larry Donn at Swifton earlier this year. One of the last shows he played. His legs were hurting him so bad he had to leave early. But he still sang great. "Red Hot", "You Win Again", he gave an outstanding performance.
Check the links below for more about Billy Lee Riley on Delta Boogie. We have several chapters of an unfinished autobiography on his Delta Musicians page. And he played at our Bandshell fundraiser, Five Decades Of Great Music.
Riley's music will continue to live on through the many young musicians he has inspired. Anytime they hear the words "My gal is red hot" they will shout back "Your gal ain't doodly squat," and somewhere lounging on a cloud will be Riley with a big smile on his face.
Pictured above is Jim Aldrich playing saxophone with Sonny Burgess and The Pacers. Below Larry Donn and Carl Mann. More pics in the Photo Gallery. Photos by Larry Heyl.
I try to get pictures of everyone but I wasn't there for the whole show and try as I might I do miss some musicians. Thanks to Lacy Mitchell for providing the pictures of Rockin' Luke Stroud. If I missed anyone else please send the pics and I will be glad to add them.
For photos of Billy Lee Riley click on his links below.
Billy Lee Riley Band Page
Billy Lee Riley on Delta Musicians
Billy Lee Riley songs on KGPL
Five Decades Of Great Music
Billy Lee Riley Tribute - Photos
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Sonny Burgess hosted the show
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Marcus Grady playing with Jeannie and The Guys
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CW and JT getting it
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Doug Greeno
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WS Holland
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The Dukes were there too
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Tim and Jesse Hoggard and Terry Carter
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Jeannie Hendrix
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Jim Aldrich an original Pacer
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Jimbo Malthus singing "Red Hot"
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JR Rogers our state representative
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Kenny Crider
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Kern Kennedy and Jerry Kattawar
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Matt Pierce
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The Pacers
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Sleepy Labeef
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Dale Hawkins
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CW Gatlin
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Smoochie at the piano
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Sonny Burgess and The Pacers
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Eric Brownderville playing the bass
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Dennis James, Harmonica Man
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Guitar Man
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Guitarist
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Smoochie
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CW and JT
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Marcus, Jeannie, and Luke
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Rockin' Luke Stroud
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