Billy "The Kid" Emerson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Billy "The Kid" Emerson
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Emerson in Belgium, 1979
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Robert Emerson |
| Born | December 21, 1925 Tarpon Springs, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | April 2023 (aged 97) |
| Genres | Rock and roll, R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, preacher |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 1945–2000s |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | Ike Turner Kings of Rhythm Phineas Newborn |
William Robert Emerson (born December 21, 1925 – died April 2023) was an American singer and songwriter. He was known as Billy "The Kid" Emerson during his music career. Later in life, he became a preacher, known as Rev. William R. Emerson. He was famous for his R&B and rock and roll music, especially his 1955 song, "Red Hot."
Billy Emerson started recording music in the early 1950s. He joined Ike Turner's band, Kings of Rhythm. He recorded songs with big record labels like Sun, Chess, and Vee-Jay. Later, he even started his own record company called Tarpon Records. He worked with many other blues musicians, including Earl Hooker and Sonny Boy Williamson II.
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The Early Life of Billy Emerson
Billy Emerson was born in Tarpon Springs, Florida, on December 21, 1925. He learned to play the piano in church. He played in many local bands around his hometown.
In 1943, he joined the United States Navy. After World War II ended, he went back to playing music. He performed around Tampa with groups like the Billy Battle Band. He got his nickname "Billy The Kid" when he was in a band where everyone dressed like old-time outlaws.
Joining the Air Force and Music
In 1952, Billy Emerson received a scholarship to attend Florida A&M University. However, he decided to join the United States Air Force during the Korean War. While he was stationed in Greenville, Mississippi, he met a band leader named Ike Turner.
Ike Turner asked Billy to join his band, the Kings of Rhythm. Turner also worked as a talent scout for Sun Records. This meant he looked for new musical talent. He helped Billy Emerson get a recording session.
Billy Emerson's Music Career
Billy Emerson's first song, "No Teasing Around," came out in February 1954. He released another song with Ike Turner playing guitar. After that, he left Turner's band and joined a group led by Phineas Newborn.
Billy Emerson continued to work with Sun Records as a songwriter. He wrote and recorded "When It Rains, It Really Pours." This song was later recorded by the famous singer Elvis Presley. He also wrote "Red Hot." This song became a big hit for other artists like Billy Lee Riley and Bob Luman. Even though it was popular for others, it wasn't a huge success for Billy Emerson himself.
Moving to New Record Labels
In late 1955, Billy Emerson moved to Vee-Jay Records in Chicago. He made songs like "Every Woman I Know (Crazy 'Bout Automobiles)." This song was later covered by other bands, including Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs.
Soon after, Emerson joined Chess Records as a recording manager. While at Chess, he recorded songs like "Holy Mackerel Baby." He also released a song with Willie Dixon's band.
As a songwriter, Billy Emerson wrote many songs for other artists. These included Junior Wells, Willie Mabon, and Buddy Guy.
Starting His Own Record Company
After recording for several smaller labels, Billy Emerson started his own company. He named it Tarpon Records in 1966. He released the first song for singer Denise LaSalle through his company. He also continued to release his own music. He kept playing in clubs and went on blues tours in Europe.
Later Life and Legacy
In the late 1970s, Billy Emerson decided to focus on his religion. He began to compose gospel music. By 2005, he was known as Rev. William R. Emerson and had a church in Oak Park, Illinois.
In 2009, a company called Bear Family Records released a collection of his songs. It was called Red Hot: The Sun Years, Plus. This album included 33 of his songs from Sun, Vee Jay, and Chess Records.
Billy Emerson was honored for his contributions to music. He was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. In 2017, he received the Florida Folk Heritage Award. This award recognized his work as a songwriter, performer, and producer.
Billy Emerson passed away in April 2023, at the age of 97.
Discography
Compilation albums
- 2009: Red Hot: The Sun Years, Plus (Bear Family Records)
Other album appearances
- 1967: The Mar-V-Lus Sound of R&B & Soul (President Records)
- 1997: Red Hot About the Blues (Titanic Records)
- 1974: The Sun Story 1952-1968 (Sun Records)
- 1976: Sun - The Roots Of Rock, Volume 3: Delta Rhythm Kings (Charly Records)
- 1984: Sun Records: The Blues Years 1950-1956 (Sun Records)
- 1988: Black Music Originals, Vol. 3 (Sun Records)
- 1989: Black Music Originals, Vol. 4 (Sun Records)
- 1991: The Ultimate Sun Blues Collection (Disky Records)
- 1992: Way After Midnight (Sun Records)
- 1994: The Complete Sun Singles, Vol. 1: From The Vaults (Bear Family Records)
- 1995: The Complete Sun Singles, Vol. 2: From The Vaults (Bear Family Records)
- 1998: Chicago Soul Cellar (Rare Soul Uncovered from M-Pac! Records) (Charly Records)
- 2001: The Kings of Rhythm featuring Ike Turner: The Sun Sessions (Varèse Sarabande)
- 2004: Vee Jay Records - Chicago Hit Factory (Charly Records)
- 2010: Ike Turner: That Kat Sure Could Play! The Singles 1951-1957 (Secret Records Limited)
Singles
- 1954: "No Teasing Around" / "If Lovin' Is Believing" (Sun 195)
- 1954: "The Woodchuck" / "I'm Not Going Home" (Sun 203)
- 1955: "Move Baby Move" / "When It Rains It Pours" (Sun 214)
- 1955: "Red Hot" / "No Greater Love" (Sun 219)
- 1955: "Something For Nothing" / "Little Fine Healthy Thing" (Sun 233)
- 1956: "Don't Start Me To Lying" / "You Won't Stay Home" (Vee-Jay 175)
- 1956: "Tomorrow Never Comes" / "Every Woman I Know" (Vee-Jay 219)
- 1957: "Somebody Show Me" / "The Pleasure Is All Mine" (Vee-Jay 247)
- 1957: "You Never Miss The Water" / "Do Yourself A Favor" (Vee-Jay 261)
- 1958: "Give Me A Little Love" / "Woodchuck" (Chess 1711)
- 1959: "Holy Mackerel Baby" / "Believe Me" (Chess 1728)
- 1959: "I'll Get You, Too" / "Um Hum, My Baby" with Willie Dixon's Band (Chess 1940)
- 1962: "I Never Get Enough" / "When It Rains It Pours" (Mad 1301)
- 1963: "The Whip (Part 1)" / "The Whip (Part 2)" (M-Pac! 7207)
- 1963: "I Get That Feeling" / "Hot Spring Water" (USA 751)
- 1964: "I Took It So Hard / When It Rains It Pours" (USA 777)
- 1965: "Aunt Molly, Part 1" / "Aunt Molly, Part 2" (Constellation 148)
- 1965: "I Took It So Hard" / "Every Woman I Know" (Chirrup 0002)
- 1965: "I Took It So Hard" / "Every Woman I Know" (Tarpon 6601) reissue
- 1966: "A Dancin' Whippersnapper" / "The Whip (Part 2)" (Tarpon 6602)
- 1967: "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" / "Zulu" (Tarpon 6604)
- 1967: "When It Rains It Pours" / "It Do Me So Good" (Tarpon 6606)
- 1968: "I Did The Funky Broadway (Part 1)" / "I Did The Funky Broadway (Part 2)" (Tarpon 6607)
- 1980: "A Dancin' Whippersnapper" / "Zulu" (Rooster 44)
