Chuck Willis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chuck Willis
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Harold Willis |
| Born | January 31, 1926 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | April 10, 1958 (aged 32) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1949–1958 |
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Harold "Chuck" Willis (born January 31, 1926 – died April 10, 1958) was a talented American singer and songwriter. He was famous for his blues, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll music. His biggest songs were "C. C. Rider" (1957) and "What Am I Living For" (1958). Both of these songs became number one hits on the Billboard R&B chart. People called him The King of the Stroll because of his performances of a popular 1950s dance called the stroll.
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Life and Music Career
Chuck Willis was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1926. A radio DJ named Zenas Sears discovered him at a talent contest. Sears became his manager and helped him sign with Columbia Records in 1951.
After one song with Columbia, Willis started recording for Okeh, a part of Columbia. He became a very popular R&B singer and songwriter there. He often wrote his own songs. In 1956, he joined Atlantic Records. He quickly found success with songs like "It's Too Late" and "Juanita."
His most famous song was "C.C. Rider." This song reached the top of the US Billboard R&B chart in 1957. It also sold very well in the pop music world. "C.C. Rider" was a new version of an old blues song. Its relaxed beat helped create a new dance called The Stroll. When Chuck Willis performed, he and his band would do this side-to-side dance.
Dick Clark, a famous TV host, played "C. C. Rider" on his show, American Bandstand. This helped "The Stroll" become a very popular dance. Willis's next song, "Betty and Dupree," was another "stroll" song that also did well. Because of these songs and the dance, Chuck Willis became known as "King of The Stroll." His song "Going to the River" was also a hit, reaching number four on the R&B chart.
Chuck Willis often wore a turban when he performed. His friend Screamin' Jay Hawkins suggested this idea. Because of this, Willis was also called the "Sheik of Shake." In the early 1950s, he had his own weekly TV show in Atlanta. Famous guest artists like Ray Charles and Sam Cooke appeared on his show. Zenas Sears said that Chuck was a great songwriter. He also said that Willis was a good performer who made everyone feel comfortable.
How He Wrote Songs
Chuck Willis put a lot of effort into writing his songs. They were often deep and emotional. He would not record a song until it was perfectly ready in his mind. He used different ways to write. Zenas Sears said Willis would drive around and sing into a tape recorder.
Roy Gaines, who was Willis's bandleader, remembered that Chuck would sometimes stay in a hotel room for days. He would not see anyone until he finished writing a song. For example, he stayed in his room for a week to write "It's Too Late."
Ruth Brown, another singer who toured with Willis, said he wrote on yellow legal pads. She asked him to write a song for her, and he wrote "Oh What a Dream." Jerry Wexler, a record producer, said Willis would bring complete song lyrics to the studio. Then, he would work with the band to create the music.
His Passing
Chuck Willis had been sick with stomach ulcers for many years. He passed away during surgery in Chicago on April 10, 1958. He was 32 years old.
His death happened when his music career was at its highest point. His last song, "What Am I Living For," had just been released. The other side of the record was "Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes." After he passed away, "What Am I Living For" became the more popular song. It sold over one million copies and earned a gold disc. It was also the top R&B song of 1958. This song was one of the first rock and roll records released in stereo sound.
His Influence on Music
Many artists have performed Chuck Willis's songs. His early hit, "Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go)," was covered by many singers. These included Ruth Brown, Little Richard, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, James Brown, and Delaney and Bonnie. This song was even used as the title for an episode of the TV show "Grey's Anatomy."
His song "It's Too Late" was also covered by famous artists. Some of them were Otis Redding, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, and Derek and the Dominos. In 2005, parts of Otis Redding's version were used in a song by Kanye West.
Elvis Presley covered Chuck Willis's songs "I Feel So Bad" and "C. C. Rider." Other artists like The Five Keys and Peaches and Herb had hits with "Close Your Eyes." Ruth Brown and Conway Twitty also had hits with "Oh What a Dream."
The band The Band covered "Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes" on their 1972 live album Rock of Ages. Chuck Willis's cousin was also a musician named Chick Willis.
Images for kids
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Chuck Willis, "The King of the Stroll"
