Billy Cox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Billy Cox
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| Background information | |
| Born | October 18, 1941 Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | |
| Years active | 1961–present |
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William Cox (born October 18, 1941) is an American bassist. He is most famous for playing with the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Billy Cox is the only musician still alive who regularly played with Hendrix.
They first played together in the Army. Later, in 1969, Cox joined Hendrix's band at Woodstock. This group was sometimes called "Gypsy Sun and Rainbows." After that, he played in a trio with drummer Buddy Miles. They recorded the live album Band of Gypsys. Later, he toured with Hendrix and Mitch Mitchell on The Cry of Love Tour.
Besides Jimi Hendrix, Billy Cox has also played with many other famous artists. These include Sam Cooke, Etta James, Little Richard, and The Charlie Daniels Band. He continues to perform today with tribute bands like the Band of Gypsys Experience.
Contents
Early Life and Meeting Jimi Hendrix
Billy Cox was born in Wheeling, West Virginia. He grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He met Jimi Hendrix in 1961 while they were both serving in the Army. They were at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Billy heard Jimi playing guitar and was very impressed. They quickly became good friends and started playing music together.
After leaving the Army, they moved to Nashville. They formed a band called the King Kasuals. They played at many clubs, including the Del Morocco. Sometimes, they traveled to play in other cities like Indianapolis.
Jimi Hendrix later left Nashville and became very famous. Before he left, he asked Billy to join him. But Billy didn't have enough money to travel. So, he wished Jimi well. During this time, Billy played bass on TV shows like "Night Train" in Nashville.
Playing with Jimi Hendrix
In 1969, Jimi Hendrix called Billy Cox to join him in New York. Billy became Jimi's studio bassist. After Jimi's first band, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, broke up, Billy played with Jimi's new group. This group was called Gypsy Sun and Rainbows. They performed at the famous Woodstock festival.
Later, Jimi formed another band with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles. They recorded the live album Band of Gypsys. After this, Billy toured with Jimi and Mitch Mitchell on The Cry of Love Tour. Sometimes, they were even called the "Jimi Hendrix Experience."
Billy Cox played bass on many of Jimi Hendrix's albums released after Jimi's death. These include The Cry of Love and Rainbow Bridge. Many of these songs were later put together on the album First Rays of the New Rising Sun. This album tried to show what Jimi's fourth studio album might have been like.
After Jimi Hendrix
Music in the 1970s and 1980s
In 1971, Billy Cox released his own album called Nitro Function. He also played with other musicians, including the Charlie Daniels Band. He continued to work on music and perform live. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Billy stayed involved with Jimi Hendrix's music. He helped with many of the albums released after Jimi's death.
1990s and Beyond
In the 1990s, Billy Cox started taking part in tribute tours for Jimi Hendrix. He played with other musicians who had worked with Hendrix. In 1999, he appeared on an album called Midnight Daydream.
Billy also helped with the album First Rays of the New Rising Sun. He often speaks at music classes at universities. He shares his experiences with young musicians.
In 2004, Billy Cox and Buddy Miles got together again. They re-recorded songs from the Band of Gypsys album. This new album was released in 2006 and was called The Band Of Gypsys Return.
Today, Billy Cox still plays with the Experience Hendrix tour. This is a tribute band that features many great guitarists. In 2009, he released his solo album Last Gypsy Standing. That same year, he was honored and added to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.
Recent Years
Billy Cox now owns a video production company. He has produced many blues and gospel shows. He also helped write books about Jimi Hendrix, like Jimi Hendrix Sessions.
He has received many awards for his music. In 2011, he was added to the West Virginia Music Hall Of Fame. He released another album, Old School Blue Blues, in 2011. He continues to tour with "The Experience Hendrix Tour" every year. His latest album, Unfiltered, came out in 2014.
In 2019, Billy Cox, Jimi Hendrix, and Buddy Miles were inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame. This was for their amazing work as the Band of Gypsys. Billy was there to accept the award and performed live.
Music Albums
Here are some of the albums Billy Cox has released or played on:
Solo Albums
- Nitro Function (1971)
- Last Gypsy Standing (2009)
- Old School Blue Blues (2011)
- Unfiltered (2014)
Albums with Other Artists
- Them Changes, Buddy Miles (1970)
- Charlie Daniels, Charlie Daniels (1971)
- 5, J.J. Cale (1979)
- Midnight Daydream, Bruce Cameron (1997)
- The Band of Gypsys Return, with Buddy Miles and others (2006)
Albums with Jimi Hendrix
Billy Cox played on many of Jimi Hendrix's studio and live recordings.
Studio Recordings
- The Cry of Love (1971)
- Rainbow Bridge (1971)
- War Heroes (1972)
- First Rays of the New Rising Sun (1997)
- Valleys of Neptune (2010)
- People, Hell & Angels (2013)
- Both Sides of the Sky (2018)
Live Recordings
- Woodstock (1994) - from the 1969 performance
- Band of Gypsys (1970) - from the Fillmore East concerts
- Live at the Fillmore East (1999)
- Isle of Wight (1971) - from the 1970 tour
- Blue Wild Angel: Live at the Isle of Wight (2002)
- Live at Berkeley (2003)
See also
In Spanish: Billy Cox para niños
