Billy Swan
b. Billy Lance Swan, 12 May 1942, Cape Giradeau, Missouri, USA. Swan grew up listening to country stars such as Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell and then fell under the spell of 50s rock 'n' rollers. At the age of 16, he wrote "Lover Please', which was recorded by a local plumber who also had an early morning television show, Mirt Mirley And The Rhythm Steppers. Elvis Presley's bass player, Bill Black, approved and recorded it with his Combo in 1960 before passing it to Clyde McPhatter. McPhatter's version went to number 7 on the US charts, but was overshadowed in the UK by the Vernons Girls, whose version made number 16. Swan, who had insurance money as a result of losing an eye in an accident, moved to Memphis, primarily to write for Bill Black's Combo. He befriended Presley's uncle, Travis Smith, who was a gate guard at Graceland. Soon, Swan was also minding the gate and attending Elvis" late-night visits to cinemas and funfairs. Swan decided that he would be more likely to find work as a musician in Nashville, but the only employment he found was as a janitor at Columbia's studios. He quit while Bob Dylan was recording Blonde On Blonde, offering his job to Kris Kristofferson who had entered the building looking for work. Billy swanned around for some time, mainly working as a roadie for Mel Tillis, before meeting Tony Joe White and producing demos of his "swamp rock". Swan was invited to produce White officially and their work included Black And White, with its million-selling single, "Polk Salad Annie".
Listen to Billy Swan
at Finetune.
Albums
- (1975) The Best Of Billy Swan
Top Tracks
- I Can Help
- Lover Please
- Don't Be Cruel
- Everything's The Same (Ain't Nothing Changed)
- Vanessa
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