Billy Williamson (guitarist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Billy Williamson
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Williamson in 1958
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| Background information | |
| Born | February 9, 1925 Conshohocken, Pennsylvania |
| Died | March 22, 1996 (aged 71) Swarthmore, Pennsylvania |
| Instruments | Steel guitar |
| Years active | 1949–1963 |
| Associated acts | Bill Haley & His Comets |
William Famous Williamson (born February 9, 1925 – died March 22, 1996) was an American steel guitar player. He was a key member of the famous rock and roll band Bill Haley & His Comets. He played with them from 1949 to 1963.
Life and Music Career
William was one of the first members of Bill Haley's bands, first called The Saddlemen and then The Comets. He often acted as the show's host, or "emcee," during live concerts. He also made people laugh, providing "comic relief" for the audience. Sometimes, he even played the lead guitar.
He was with the band when they recorded their huge hit song, "Rock Around the Clock" in 1954. He also appeared with the band on famous TV shows. These included the Milton Berle Show and the Ed Sullivan Show in 1955.
Williamson was special because he was the only member of The Comets, besides Bill Haley, who sang lead on songs. He sang on "Hide and Seek" and "B.B. Betty." He also helped write many songs with Bill Haley. His wife, Catherine Cafra, also helped write songs, including the 1958 hit "Skinny Minnie."
He appeared in several rock and roll movies. These included Rock Around the Clock and Don't Knock the Rock in 1956. He was also in "Hier bin ich - hier bleib' ich" (Here I Am, Here I Stay) in 1959. Later, he appeared in Jóvenes y rebeldes and Besito a Papa in 1961.
Williamson left The Comets in early 1963. It is said that he never played music again after that. He passed away in 1996 when he was 71 years old.
In 2012, William Williamson was honored. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This happened because a special group wanted to fix a past mistake. They felt The Comets should have been inducted with Bill Haley in 1987.
Songs He Wrote
Williamson was also a talented songwriter. In 1958, he helped write the song "Week End." This song became a hit, reaching number 35 on the Billboard pop chart. It was released by The Kingsmen, a group made up of members from The Comets.
He also helped write "The Catwalk," which was another song by The Kingsmen. Some of his other songs include "Shaky," "Two Shadows," and "Birth Of The Boogie." He also wrote "Pat-a-Cake" and "A Rockin' Little Tune." He helped write "Teenage Love Affair" for The Cook Brothers. He also co-wrote "Wee Willie Brown" and "You Were Mean Baby" for Lou Graham.
