Billy Boy Arnold facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Billy Boy Arnold
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Arnold in 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Arnold |
| Born | September 16, 1935 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1952–present |
| Relatives | Jerome Arnold (brother) |
William "Billy Boy" Arnold is an American blues musician. He was born on September 16, 1935. He is known for playing the harmonica, singing, and writing songs. Billy Boy taught himself how to play the harmonica. He has played with many famous blues artists. Some of these include Bo Diddley, Howlin' Wolf, and Muddy Waters.
Contents
The Story of Billy Boy Arnold
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Billy Boy Arnold was born in Chicago, Illinois. He was one of 16 children in his family. He started playing the harmonica when he was a child. In 1948, he got some informal lessons. These lessons were from his neighbor, John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson. This was just before Williamson passed away.
Early Recordings and Nickname
Billy Boy Arnold first recorded music in 1952. His first song was "Hello Stranger." It was released on a small record company called Cool. The record company gave him the nickname "Billy Boy."
In the early 1950s, he teamed up with street musician Bo Diddley. Billy Boy played harmonica on Bo Diddley's song "I'm a Man." This song was recorded on March 2, 1955. It was released by Checker Records. On the same day, Billy Boy recorded his own song. It was called "You Got to Love Me." This song was not released until much later, in 1992.
Solo Career and Famous Songs
Billy Boy Arnold then signed a solo record deal. He joined Vee-Jay Records. There, he recorded his original songs "I Wish You Would" and "I Ain’t Got You." Both of these songs became very popular. They were later covered by the famous band the Yardbirds. "I Wish You Would" was also recorded by David Bowie in 1973. The band Sweet also recorded it in 1982.
In the late 1950s, Billy Boy kept playing in clubs in Chicago. In 1963, he recorded an album called More Blues From The South Side. This album was for the Prestige label. As there were fewer chances to play music, he also worked other jobs. He became a bus driver and later a parole officer.
Touring and Later Albums
By the 1970s, Billy Boy Arnold started playing at music festivals. He toured in Europe and began recording music again. He was part of the American Blues Legends '75 tour. This tour was put together by Big Bear Music. He also recorded a session for BBC Radio 1 in 1977. In 1979, he recorded songs in London. These songs later became the Catfish album in 1999. He worked with Tony McPhee and the Groundhogs on that album.
In 1993, he released the album Back Where I Belong. This was on Alligator Records. After that, he released Eldorado Cadillac in 1995. In 2001, he released Boogie ’n’ Shuffle with the Duke Robillard Band. In 2012, Arnold released Blue and Lonesome. This album also featured Tony McPhee and the Groundhogs. Another album, The Blues Soul of Billy Boy Arnold, came out in 2014. It was a tribute to Sonny Boy Williamson.
In 2014, he was nominated for a Blues Music Award. This was for "Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year." In November 2021, a book about Billy Boy Arnold was published. It is his own story, called "The Blues Dream of Billy Boy Arnold." He wrote it with Kim Field. His younger brother, Jerome Arnold, is a bass player. They have recorded music together.
Billy Boy Arnold's Music
Billy Boy Arnold has released many albums throughout his career. Here are some of them:
Studio Albums
- More Blues on the South Side (1966)
- Kings of Chicago Blues Vol. 3 (1973)
- Blow the Back Off It (1975)
- Checkin' It Out (1979)
- Ten Million Dollars (1984)
- Back Where I Belong (1993)
- Eldorado Cadillac (1995)
- Boogie 'n' Shuffle (2001)
- Consolidated Mojo (2005)
- Billy Boy Arnold Sings Sonny Boy (2008)
- Billy Boy Arnold Sings Big Bill Broonzy (2012)
- The Blues Soul of Billy Boy Arnold (2014)
Live Albums
- Live at the Venue 1990 (2000)
Compilation Albums
- American Blues Legends '75 (with various artists, 1975)
- Crying and Pleading (1980)
- Goin' to Chicago (1995)
- Catfish (1999)
- Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowouts – "Still Here and Gone" 1993–2007 (live with various artists, 2007)
- Remembering Little Walter (with various artists, 2013)
See also
In Spanish: Billy Boy Arnold para niños
