Billy Boy Arnold
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| Billy Boy Arnold | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | William Arnold |
| Born | September 16, 1935 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genre(s) | Blues |
| Instrument(s) | Harmonica, Singer |
| Years active | 1952 - present |
Billy Boy Arnold (born William Arnold, 16 September 1935, Chicago, Illinois [1]) is a leading American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter.
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[edit] Life
Born in Chicago, he began playing harmonica as a child, and in 1948 received informal lessons from his near neighbour John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson, shortly before his death. Arnold made his recording debut in 1952 with "Hello Stranger" on the small Cool label, the record company giving him the nickname "Billy Boy".[1]
In the early 1950s, he joined forces with street musician Ellas McDaniel and played harmonica on the March 1955 recording of the Bo Diddley song "I'm a Man" released by Checker Records.[1]
Arnold signed a solo recording contract with Vee-Jay Records, recording the originals of "I Wish You Would" and "I Ain’t Got You". Both were later covered by The Yardbirds, and "I Wish You Would" was also recorded by David Bowie on his 1973 album, Pin Ups.
In the late 1950s Arnold continued to play in Chicago clubs, and in 1963 he recorded a LP, More Blues From The South Side, for the Prestige label, but as playing opportunities dried up he pursued a parallel career as a bus driver and, later, parole officer.[1]
By the 1970s Arnold had begun playing festivals, touring Europe, and recording again. He recorded a session for BBC Radio 1 disc jockey John Peel on 5 October 1977.
In 1993 he released the album Back Where I Belong on Alligator Records, followed by Eldorado Cadillac (1995) and Boogie ’n’ Shuffle (2001).
[edit] Festival appearances
- San Francisco Blues Festival - 1992
- Long Beach Blues Festival - 1994
