Died On This Date (August 2, 2009) Billy Lee Riley / Rockabilly Pioneer
themusicsover Billy Lee Riley
October 5, 1933 – August 2, 2009
Born to poverty in Arkansas, Billy Lee Riley moved to Memphis after a stint in the army during the ’50s. Having learned to play the guitar from the local black farm workers, Riley set out to make a name for himself in music. He was soon recording for Sam Phillips at Sun Studios. During his Memphis years, Riley released such hit records as “Flying Saucers Rock and Roll,” and “Red Hot.” In the early ’60s, Riley moved to Los Angeles where he played on records by the likes of the Beach Boys, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. He retired from music during the ’70s but returned during the ’90s, releasing the Grammy-nominated Hot Damn! in 1997. Billy Lee Riley died of colon cancer on August 2, 2009. He was 75.
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