Billy Stewart
by request
Singer and pianist Billy Stewart was born on March 24, 1937 in Washington, D.C. Known for his distinctive, soulful style, he started singing at an early age with his family’s Stewart Gospel singers. He sang with the Rainbows, a group that also included Don Covay and Marvin Gaye. Bo Diddley “discovered” Stewart and recruited him to play piano in his band. Chess Records released the “Fat Boy’s” solo debut, “Billy’s Blues,” in 1956.
OKeh Records released “Billy’s Heartaches” in 1957. That song, as well as “Baby, You are my Only Love,” was recorded with the local Marquees, which featured a very young Marvin Gaye. Stewart returned to Chess in the early 1960s, where he recorded his first hit, “Reap What You Sow,” which reached #18 on the R&B charts.
In 1965, his “I Do Love You” and “Sitting in the Park” hit both the R&B and Pop charts. Stewart had a Top 10 hit in 1966 with his radical interpretation, incorporating scat vocals, of Gershwin and Heyward’s “Summertime,” recorded at Chess with session musicians Pete Cosey on guitar, Louis Satterfield on bass, Sonny Thompson on piano and Maurice White on drums. The recording was Stewart’s first crossover Top Ten hit on both the Pop and R&B charts. In January, 1970, while on tour, Stewart and three of his band members were killed when his car plunged into a river in North Carolina.
Information courtesy of WAMA
(Washington Area Music Associations)
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT...
- Moonchild Diva in Motown - found the site by looking for Billy Stewart! I think you answered my question...who played bass on Billy's recordings? SO THANK YOU for clearing up the mystery!
- Billy Stewart , alright, one of my favorites. Also, Jerry Butler, Major Lance, Willy Tee....
Your friend, Dirk H.
- Thanks for Billy Stewart Larry - You have made
my day! Betsy K.
- I look forward to Friday's email. This is great.
Linda L.
- Wow! from your personal E-Mail account. I forward "Its Friday in Athens!!!" on to my friends often. The folks here at work are trying to figure me out. Their 56 year old C.E.O. sits in his office every Friday morning booming out R&B. Though it works for me, its not the type of behavior they expect from someone in my position. BLUES BANKER!
- Thanks for Joe T. Luv'd it! Roy Head and the Traits?
Hope you had a good Turkey Day. T. Turgeon
- I keep waiting for Jackie Wilson and Billy Stewart....I have
decided that like me, you have an older brother or sister
who had you listening to this music as a kid.
Hope all is well your way.
Betsy K.
- How about a little Joe Tex? T. Turgeon
- Thanks, "I LOVE IT! Makes my day! M.N.
- WOW WOW WOW AN OUTSTANDING REVIEW OF THE real STYLE OF MUSIC - Atlanta Cooking
- In my time, this is the most fascinating music I have ever heard. **86
- Keep up the great and extremely important work. We met I believe at Michael Guthrie's house a few weeks ago at the HVARII Reunion. I am a great lover of our R&B and it's great to see someone who truly cares about it. Ole!
T. Turgeon
- Again, the "It's Friday" series is great - I love it
every week and have sent it on to so many folks -
thanks again. Betsy K.
- Aretha is my personal favorite so far! Peggy M.
- LOVE THIS...I NEED SOMETHNG TO GET ME THROUGH THE DAY !!!! C. Lady
- Great! Perfect! Dance Music I Love It!!! Laine L.
- I think you missed your calling as a DJ! Nicki S.
- Keep 'em coming!! I really enjoy listening to "my kind of music". Thank you. Mary M.
- I like getting your email every Friday, keep it coming!
Carlas A.
- DON'T FORGET THE 'QUEEN OF SOUL'........ ARETHA!!!!! YOUR MAKING MY FRIDAYS. RONK
- MY FRIENDS REALLY LIKE FRIDAY IN ATHENS! ONE IS SENDING EVERYONE AT THE COURTHOUSE AN EMAIL. Ron H.
- THANKS SO MUCH EACH WEEK! Nancy W.
- This makes me smile! Ray C.
- Great job, keep up the good work. Terry T.
- I SAVE UNTIL FRI AFTERNOON, BY 5:00 P.M. I'M REVVVVED!!! RONK
- Thanks for this humanitarian service to get us crunk for district wide planning. Wilson Pickett reminds us to put a “spotlight on Otis Redding y’all”. Yeah,yeah, oh yeah. Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-Faaa! Karl S.
- Thanks. What a pleasant surprise to get to work and open this e-mail- glad I started with yours first. Melanie B.
- Thanks for the Friday emails Larry!! I really enjoy them.
Kim S.
- Thanks for the sound of good music. I really do love my oldies but goodies.
- Thanks!!! This is great! Jane B.
- Great site! How about some Sam Cooke???
- Thanks for the music! Steve P.
- I love this! Thanks. Dianne M.
- I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your
Friday emails. Thanks for including me! Betsy K.
- I appreciate the link – good stuff! Jon W.
- I LIKE IT!!!!!! Thanks and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Barbara S.
- THIS IS GREAT!!!!!! Susan R.
- So in your spare time you try to cheer up everyone? Thanks, Lori R.
- I love these songs. Thanks. Terri S.
- Awesome……Thanks for doing this, we all look forward to it every week. I’ve sent it to everyone I know! Debi D.
- I needed this today! Thanks. Susan S.
Good selection for this fabulous Friday!!!!!
- Thanks for the Music this morning. I think I could listen to this all day, if people didn't think I was crazy for MOVING in my chair. Have a great weekend. Joyce G.
- This is awesome! Thanks, Debi D.
