Billy Lee Riley got screwed. Just as his career was getting started, "Flyin' Saucers Rock 'n' Roll" was released on Sun Records. He had the voice and the chops, and he had the band, the Little Green Men. The band was good enough that the backed others at Sun, including Jerry Lee Lewis. Long story short, Sam Phillips put his money on Jerry Lee and did little to promote Riley. Riley left Sun and recorded for a succession of other labels, including his own, but none had the reputation and visibility of Sun. That's why most people don't know the name Billy Lee Riley.
What if the tables were turned? What would have happened if Riley got the push, leaving Lewis to fend for himself? Would Riley be as big or bigger than Lewis? I doubt it, Lewis was a little more wild. But there's no question that Riley's contribution to rock 'n' roll would be more recognized.
There's a reason why I'm posting yet again about Riley. I think everybody should know Riley's music, even if it's only his two best known songs, "Flyin' Saucers Rock 'n' Roll" and "Red Hot". The old links I had for those songs went dead, so there's new links down there, including an alternative take of "Red Hot". That's a good enough morsel for those of you already familiar with the original.
What if the tables were turned? What would have happened if Riley got the push, leaving Lewis to fend for himself? Would Riley be as big or bigger than Lewis? I doubt it, Lewis was a little more wild. But there's no question that Riley's contribution to rock 'n' roll would be more recognized.
There's a reason why I'm posting yet again about Riley. I think everybody should know Riley's music, even if it's only his two best known songs, "Flyin' Saucers Rock 'n' Roll" and "Red Hot". The old links I had for those songs went dead, so there's new links down there, including an alternative take of "Red Hot". That's a good enough morsel for those of you already familiar with the original.
~ NOTE: ALL MEDIA IS HOSTED BY THE BLOGS & SITES NAMED BELOW ~
Listen:Billy Lee Riley - Flyin' Saucers Rock 'n' Roll mp3 at Rocky 52
Billy Lee Riley - Red Hot mp3 at Rocky 52
Billy Lee Riley - Red Hot (alternate take) mp3 at Mp3 Rockabilly
Billy Lee Riley - Pearly Lee mp3 at Mp3 Rockabilly
Billy Lee Riley - Is That All to the Hall (Mr. Ball) mp3 at Rocky 52
Billy Lee Riley - Searchin' mp3 at Mp3 Rockabilly
3 comments:
Red Hot and "Flying Saucer" are two of my favorite rockabilly records, and it's a shame that Riley wasn't a bigger star. The same thing happened at Motown -- the label had more talent than they could promote, and lots of great singers languished while all the attention went to Berry Gordy's favorites.
Coincidentally I'm just now reading Peter Guralnick's book about Sam Phillips -- on your recommendation. It's a good read.
Marc
Isn't that book great? I thought I knew quite a bit about Phillips but that book was a revelation. Had no idea about all of the radio stations and that his whole mindset seemed to be geared towards letting raw wild musicians be themselves, raw and wild, and often imperfect.
A few years back, there was a great documentary on Phillips and there was a scene with a bunch of Sun artists sitting around, all with rosy tales about Phillips, bordering on ass kissing. Riley was the only one who had the huevos to say that he felt like he got screwed.
You know, I read Guralnick's Elvis biography years ago, and that has quite a lot of info on Sam Phillips and Sun. I initially wasn't sure I needed to read more -- but I'm really glad I decided to do it. I'm still fairly early in the book -- right in the middle of the chapter titled "Perfect Imperfection," as a matter of fact.
Marc
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