A pioneering rock and roll artist, known for his flamboyant stage performances and hits like "Short Fat Fannie" and "Bony Moronie".
Larry Williams is best known for writing and recording some of rock and roll's most iconic classics, including "Bony Moronie", "Short Fat Fannie", "Slow Down", "Dizzy", "Miss Lizzy", "Bad Boy", and "She Said Yeah". These hits, recorded between 1957 and 1959 for Specialty Records, have become staples of the rock and roll canon.
Despite his tremendous success, Williams' life was marked by violence and drug addiction. Yet, he remained a close friend and collaborator of Little Richard, with whom his life intertwined personally and professionally from their meeting in 1955 until his tragic death in 1980.
Williams was born on May 10, 1935, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His family moved west in his early childhood, and he spent time with relatives in Chicago, Illinois, before relocating to Oakland, California in 1945. It was in Oakland that Williams learned to play piano as a boy, an instrument that would become an integral part of his sound.
Williams returned to New Orleans in 1954 and began working for his cousin, singer Lloyd Price, as a valet. He played in the bands of Price, Roy Brown, and Percy Mayfield, before meeting Little Richard in 1955. This chance encounter led to Williams being signed to Specialty Records, where he was groomed by producer Robert Blackwell to replicate Little Richard's success.
Williams' music has had a profound influence on modern rock and roll. The Beatles, along with several other British Invasion groups, recorded several of his songs, further cementing his legacy. John Lennon, in particular, was a great admirer of Williams' work, and his music continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans alike.
"Rock and roll is not just about music, it's about attitude, it's about rebellion, it's about being free."
— Larry Williams
Larry Williams' life and music serve as a testament to the power of rock and roll to transcend boundaries and defy conventions. His legacy continues to inspire and influence new generations of musicians, ensuring that his music remains an integral part of the rock and roll canon.
93 Years Old
A flamboyant and charismatic rock 'n' roll pioneer, known for hits like "Tutti Frutti" and "Good Golly Miss Molly", blending gospel, blues, and boogie-woogie styles.
98 Years Old
A legendary singer-songwriter and pianist who blended boogie-woogie piano with rhythm and blues to create a unique sound, known for hits like "Blueberry Hill" and "Ain't That a Shame".
99 Years Old
Rock 'n' roll pioneer who wrote and performed iconic hits like "Johnny B. Goode" and "Maybellene", blending country, blues, and rhythm to create a unique sound.
97 Years Old
A rock 'n' roll pioneer who blended blues, R&B, and rock to create a unique sound, influencing many famous musicians with his innovative guitar playing and songwriting style.
95 Years Old
A legendary musician who pioneered soul music, blending gospel, blues, and jazz to create a unique sound, and is iconic for his smooth, soulful voice and hit songs like "What'd I Say" and "Georgia on My Mind".
95 Years Old
Pioneering soul and R&B vocalist, known for smooth, velvety voice and iconic hits like "A Change Is Gonna Come" and "You Send Me".
Born in 1920
The "Godfather of Soul" was a legendary musician and performer who revolutionized funk and soul music with his unique sound and energetic stage presence. He is most known for his iconic hits like "I Got You" and "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag".
89 Years Old
A versatile entertainer who blended jazz, pop, and folk to create a unique sound, and starred in films like "State Fair" and "Captain Newman, M.D."
