Larry Williams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Larry Williams
Background information
Birth name	Lawrence Eugene Williams
Born	(1935-05-10)May 10, 1935 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Origin	New Orleans
Died	January 7, 1980(1980-01-07) (aged 44) Los Angeles, California
Genres	Rock and roll R&B funk soul
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter musician record producer
Instruments	Vocals, piano
Years active	1954–1979
Labels	Specialty, London, Chess, Okeh, Fantasy
Associated acts	Little Richard

Larry Williams (born Lawrence Eugene Williams; May 10, 1935 – January 7, 1980) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He was known for his exciting rhythm and blues and rock and roll music. Larry Williams came from New Orleans, Louisiana.

He became famous in the late 1950s. He wrote and sang many classic rock and roll songs. Some of his most popular hits include "Bony Moronie" and "Short Fat Fannie". Many famous bands, like The Beatles, loved his music. They even recorded some of his songs. Larry Williams was also a close friend of the musician Little Richard. Their lives were connected both personally and in their music careers.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Larry Williams was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 10, 1935. When he was young, his family moved west. He lived for a while in Chicago, Illinois. In 1945, his family settled in Oakland, California.

As a boy in New Orleans, Larry learned to play the piano. As a teenager in Oakland, he joined a local R&B band. In 1954, he went back to New Orleans. He started working for his cousin, singer Lloyd Price. Larry was Price's chauffeur and valet. He also became a pianist for Price and other R&B singers. These included Roy Brown and Percy Mayfield. All of them recorded music for Specialty Records.

After playing for other artists, Larry Williams signed his own deal. This happened with Specialty Records in 1957. The record company hoped he could become a big star. Their biggest artist, Little Richard, had temporarily left rock and roll.

Music Career Highlights

In 1955, Larry Williams met Little Richard in New Orleans. They became good friends. Both Little Richard and Lloyd Price recorded for Specialty Records. Larry was introduced to Robert Blackwell, who produced music for Specialty. Soon after, Larry Williams signed with the label.

By 1957, Little Richard was Specialty's top artist. But he decided to leave rock and roll to become a minister. Robert Blackwell quickly helped Larry Williams. He wanted Larry to achieve similar success. Larry used a powerful, shouting voice and strong piano playing. This style helped him create several hit songs.

Larry Williams had three very successful songs. "Short Fat Fannie" was his biggest hit. It reached number 5 on the Billboard pop chart. "Bony Moronie" reached number 14. Its other side, "You Bug Me Baby," made it to number 45. Both "Short Fat Fannie" and "Bony Moronie" sold over one million copies.

After 1957, Larry Williams had less success selling records. He recorded many songs in 1958 and 1959. One of these was "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy." It reached number 69 on Billboard's Pop chart in 1958. He recorded "Heebie Jeebies" with talented musicians. These included Plas Johnson on saxophone and Earl Palmer on drums. Specialty Records dropped him in 1959. He then recorded for Chess Records, but he did not have any more hits.

Larry Williams made a comeback in the mid-1960s. He formed a funky soul band with Johnny "Guitar" Watson. This brought him back to working with Little Richard. Little Richard had returned to secular music. Larry produced two of Little Richard's albums. These were for Okeh Records in 1966 and 1967. These albums helped Little Richard get back on the Billboard album chart. Larry also directed Little Richard's live shows. Larry Williams also recorded his own music with Johnny Watson. Some of these songs had moderate success on the charts.

In the 1960s, Larry Williams also started acting. He appeared in movies like Just for the Hell of It (1968). He was also in The Klansman (1974) and Drum (1976). In the 1970s, he briefly explored disco music.

Later Life and Passing

Larry Williams was married to Ina Marie Williams. They later became separated.

On January 7, 1980, Larry Williams was found dead. He was at his home in Los Angeles, California. He was 44 years old. No one was arrested for his death. Larry Williams was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.

Someone Else Claiming to be Larry Williams

A drummer and blues singer from Illinois, Martin Albritton, claimed to be Larry Williams. This happened around the time the real Larry Williams died. Albritton had played drums for Bobby "Blue" Bland in the 1960s. He toured as "Big" Larry Williams. He said he recorded hits like "Bony Moronie."

While touring in Chicago, singer Etta James met Albritton. She knew the real Larry Williams. She confronted Albritton about his claims. Larry Williams' family asked Albritton to stop using his name. Martin Albritton passed away on August 24, 2017.

Larry Williams' Legacy

Many of Larry Williams' songs became popular again. The Beatles covered "Bad Boy", "Slow Down", and "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy." The Rolling Stones recorded "She Said Yeah." John Lennon also covered "Bony Moronie" and "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy."

In 2014, Larry Williams was honored. He was added to the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

Discography

Albums

• Here's Larry Williams - 1959 (Specialty Records)
• Slow Down With Larry Williams (The Missing And Unissued Sides) - 1960 (Specialty Records)
• Larry Williams On Stage! Recorded Live - 1964 (Sue Records)
• The Larry Williams Show featuring Johnny "Guitar" Watson - 1965 (Decca Records, UK)
• Two For the Price of One (with Johnny "Guitar" Watson) - 1967 (Okeh Records)
• Larry Williams' Greatest Hits - 1967 (Okeh Records - re-recordings of Specialty hits)
• That Larry Williams: The Resurrection of Funk - 1978 (Fantasy Records)
• Unreleased Larry Williams - 1986 (Specialty Records - never before released tracks)

Singles

See also

In Spanish: Larry Williams (músico) para niños