Larry Williams

Infobox musical artist
Name = Larry Williams


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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Lawrence E. Williams
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Born = May 10, 1935
Died = January 7, 1980
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Genre = Rock and roll
Rhythm and blues
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Years_active = 1950s - 1980
Label = Specialty
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:"See Larry Williams (trader) for the technical analyst and financial trader."

Lawrence E. Williams (May 10, 1935 – January 7, 1980) was an American rhythm and blues and rock and roll singer, songwriter and pianist from New Orleans, Louisiana. Having started his career as the chauffeur of Lloyd Price, Williams is best known for writing and recording some Rock 'n' Roll standards from 1957 to 1959 for Specialty Records, including 'Short Fat Fannie", "Bony Moronie" and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" (see also: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll).

His three biggest hits were "Short Fat Fannie", which was his first hit, reaching #5 in Billboard's Pop charts, "High School Dance", which also made #5, and "Bony Moronie", which peaked at #14.

Several of his songs achieved later success as revivals by The Beatles ("Bad Boy", "Slow Down", and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy"); The Rolling Stones ("She Said Yeah"); and John Lennon ("Bony Moronie" and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy").

Williams' first records were released by Specialty Records, when that label's biggest star (and Williams's friend from 1955 in New Orleans), Little Richard, first left Rock 'n' Roll in July 1957 to pursue the ministry. Groomed by pioneering R&B producer Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell as Little Richard's successor, Williams' records had the same raw, shouting vocals and piano-driven intensity. [Charles A. White, The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Authorized Biography, Omnibus Press, 2003, pages 77-78]

Williams had been involved with underworld activity since his early teens, and had reputedly been a pimp before he ever recorded music. In the late 1950s his music career suffered a setback when he was arrested for dealing narcotics. However, Williams made a comeback in the mid-sixties with a band that included Johnny "Guitar" Watson, which paired him musically with Little Richard at the Okeh Club. This period garnered fewer hits but produced some of his best and most original work. There was also a brief dalliance with disco in the seventies.

Williams' wild lifestyle continued, and by the late 1970s violence took its toll on him and his friends.

In 1977, Little Richard Penniman narrowly escaped being shot by his long-time friend, Williams, over a drug debt. [Charles A. White, The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Authorized Biography, Omnibus Press, 2003, pg. 186] This, along with other factors, led to Penniman's return to born again Christianity and the ministry, but Williams would not escape.In 1980, Williams was found dead from a gun-shot wound in his Los Angeles, California home. Fact|date=February 2007 The death was deemed suicide, though there was much speculation otherwise.Fact|date=February 2007 No suspects were ever arrested or charged.

elective list of recorded cover versions

*"Bony Moronie": Livin' Blues, John Lennon, Johnny Burnette, Dr. Feelgood, Flying Burrito Brothers, Johnny Winter, Little Richard, Paul Jones, Showaddywaddy, The Who, Jumpin' Gene Simmons, The Shadows, Ritchie Valens, Bill Haley & His Comets, The Creation, Bobby Comstock, Freddy Fender, Howie Casey and The Seniors, The Aztecs, The Rebel Rousers, The Standells, Fresh, Electric Junkyard.

*"Bony Moronie", Spanish version as "Popotitos": Mike Ríos con Los Relámpagos, Teen Tops, Alejandra Guzmán, Serú Girán, Luis Miguel, Dúo Dinámico, Ricky Martin

*"Dizzy Miss Lizzy": Plastic Ono Band, The Beatles, New York Dolls, Flying Lizards

*"She Said Yeah": The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Engerling Blues Band (GDR) , Paul McCartney, Russ Ballard, Flamin' Groovies

*"Slow Down": Alvin Lee, Blodwyn Pig, Episode Six, The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Johnny Hallyday, The Jam, Brian May, The Young Rascals

*"Short Fat Fannie": Little Richard, Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers, Ronnie Self, The Dovells

*"Groovy Little Suzy": Little Richard

*"Bad Boy": The Beatles

Notes

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/shakin_stacks/larrywilliams.txt]
* [http://tsimon.com/williams.htm]
* [http://www.nndb.com/people/655/000070445/ Article with a picture at NNDB]
* [http://koti.mbnet.fi/wdd/larrywilliams.htm Larry Williams discography]