Billy Myles facts for kids
Billy Myles (born August 29, 1924 – died October 9, 2005) was an American songwriter and singer. He was famous for his Rhythm and Blues (R&B) music in the 1950s and 1960s. Billy Myles wrote many popular songs. Some of his most well-known songs include "Tonight, Tonight" by The Mello-Kings. He also wrote "(You Were Made for) All My Love" for Jackie Wilson. Another hit was "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" recorded by Freddie King and later by Eric Clapton.
Billy Myles' Music Journey
Billy Myles was great at writing love songs. These were often in the doo-wop style or what was called 'Uptown Blues'. He sometimes worked with singers like Jackie Wilson and Brook Benton to write songs. Many famous artists recorded his music. These included Jackie Wilson, Brook Benton, Little Willie John, Freddie King, and Gladys Knight. Billy Myles has over 1170 songs registered with BMI. BMI is a group that helps musicians get paid when their songs are played.
Billy Myles also recorded his own songs. He released singles on labels like Ember, Dot, and King. His only song to become a big hit was "The Joker (That's What They Call Me)". This song became popular in the U.S. and Canada in 1957. It reached number 25 on the Pop charts and number 13 on the R&B charts.
He worked as a songwriter for Herald/Ember labels. The owner, Al Silver, thought "The Joker" was not right for the group The Mello-Kings. So, he released Billy Myles' own recording of the song. Because the song was so successful, Billy Myles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1958. He was on the show with Buddy Holly. In 1959, he also appeared in a UK film called Swing Beat.
The famous blues guitarist Freddie King recorded Myles' song "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" in 1960. Later, Eric Clapton, who loved Freddie King's music, also recorded this song. Clapton's version was on his album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs in 1970. This album is very important in classic rock music. Billy Myles' song, like the album's title song "Layla", is a very well-known track.
Billy Myles lived in Greenville, North Carolina. He managed his own music company called Selbonn Music Inc. The name "Selbonn" is "Nobles" spelled backward. He ran his company until he passed away in October 2005. Today, his son, Steven Myles Nobles, manages the music publishing company.
Songs Written by Billy Myles
Here are some of the songs Billy Myles wrote:
- 1957 "Tonight Tonight" - The Mello-Kings (US Pop #77). This song was later recorded by Dion, Timmy Thomas, The Tokens, and The Four Seasons.
- 1957 "The Joker (That's What They Call Me)"/"Honey Bee" - Billy Myles (US Pop #25, R&B #13). The Hilltoppers also recorded a version of "The Joker."
- 1958 "King of Clowns"/"So In Need of You" - Billy Myles
- "Price Of Your Love"/"I’m Gonna Walk" - Billy Myles
- 1959 "Chapel of Dreams" - The Dubs (US Pop #74)
- 1960 "(You Were Made for) All My Love" - Jackie Wilson (US Pop #12). This song won an award from BMI.
- 1960 "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" - Freddie King. This song was later covered by Derek and the Dominos, Eric Clapton, Little Milton, and Van Morrison.
- "I Love That Woman" - Freddie King
- 1961 "Your One and Only Love" - Jackie Wilson (US Pop #40)
- 1961 "The Greatest Hurt"/"There'll Be No Next Time" - Jackie Wilson (US Pop #34)
- "My Love Is" - Little Willie John. This song was later covered by Diana Krall and Holly Golightly.
- 1962 "Careless Hands" - Baby Washington
- "Let's Go Again (Where We Went Last Night)" - Hank Ballard And The Midnighters
- "The Hoochi Coochi Coo" - Hank Ballard And The Midnighters
- "If Ever I Should Fall in Love" - Gladys Knight and the Pips
- "Bye Bye Baby" - Johnny Copeland
- "I Won't Cry Anymore" - Big Maybelle
- "Tell Me Who" - Big Maybelle
- "Love, Oh Love" - Mongo Santamaría
- "No Love (But Your Love)" - Johnny Mathis
- "Nobody But Me" - Lou Rawls
- "Your Love Alone" - Brook Benton
