Billy Young (singer)
William D. Young (born May 25, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter of the 1960s. He was discovered, produced, and promoted by Otis Redding. He is best known for his one major success, "The Sloopy",[1][2][3][4] although he actively recorded music from 1963 to 1984 mostly in the genres of soul music and rhythm and blues.[5]
Personal life
Young was born in Dangerfield, Texas.
He later moved to the west coast of the United States. His early recordings were possibly for the Crest recording label as a member of the Classics, but the first 45 recordings under his own name was for Original Sound in 1963. On this album, Young sings in a high register with falsetto phrases.
When he moved to Macon, Georgia, Young became influenced by Otis Redding. The song "Same Thing All Over" was cut under Redding’s supervision at FAME Studios in Macon, Georgia.
Partial discography
- "The Sloopy", 1965, written by Otis Redding[6]
- "Same Thing All Over", 1965, written by Otis Redding[7]
- "Nothing's Too Much (Nothing's Too Good)", 1967, written William D. Young[8]
- "Burning Up", 1974[9]
References
- Herring, Jeanne (2000). Macon, Georgia. Black America. Arcadia Publishing. p. 113. ISBN 0738506001.
Charles Welch, Billy Young, and Pearly Brown all contributed to the flavorful musical history of Macon. These artists received their start as hometown talents and blossomed into major stars.
- Brown, Geoff (2002). Otis Redding: Try a Little Tenderness. Mojo Heroes. Canongate Books Ltd. p. 114. ISBN 1841953164.
Billy Young, a friend of Phil Walden's from the US Army service, ...
- "Black Music & Jazz Review". 3. 1980.
Otis Redding was the lynchpin in the Memphis Renaissance... supporting Billy Young with "The Sloopy" (Jotis 469) and Loretta Williams with "Baby Cakes" (Jotis 471), even writing for newcomers.
Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - Lamaison, Jean Louis (1977). Soul Music (in French). p. 67. ISBN 978-2226004840.
Si le public blanc n'était pas encore prêt pour Otis Redding, les Noirs américains par contre l'étaient depuis longtemps ... Pour Jotis Records il produisit Billy Young qui eut un petit succès avec « Sloopy » et une chanteuse de Mobile, Alabama, ...
- "Billy Young (2)". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
- Guralnick, Peter (2003). Sweet soul music: rhythm and blues et rêve sudiste de liberté (in French). Allia. ISBN 2844851304.
Les première et troisième sorties du label en 1965 - "Do the Sloopy" par Billy Young, un artiste de Macon, et "Baby Cakes" par Loretta Williams, une découverte d'Otis Redding - ne firent pas grand-chose ...
- "BILLY YOUNG— SAME THING ALL OVER (East Time-Walco, BMI)". Billboard. 17 July 1965. p. 14.
A soulful blues ballad from the pen of Otis Redding is given a strong reading by Young. Should spiral up the BB chart ...
- "Mercury Buys Masters From Indie Producers". Billboard. May 13, 1967. p. 8.
Mercury Records executive Charles Fach last week bought masters of four singles and one album — all from top independent record producers. Acquired from producer Otis Redding is "Nothing Too Much" by Billy Young; it was produced by the Volt Records artist in Muscle Shores, Ala. The deal for the master was handled by Mercury's Nashville a&r director Jerry Kennedy.
- "Billy Young (2) – "Burning Up"". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved August 20, 2018.