Billy Wright
A prime influence on Little Richard during his formative years, "Prince of the Blues" Billy Wright's hearty shouting delivery was an Atlanta staple during the postwar years.
Wright was a regular at Atlanta's 81 Theatre as a youth, soaking up the vaudevillians before graduating to singing and dancing status there himself. Saxist Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams caught Wright's act when they shared a bill with Charles Brown and Wynonie Harris at Atlanta's Auditorium, recommending the teenaged singer to Savoy Records boss Herman Lubinsky.
Wright's 1949 Savoy debut, "Blues for My Baby," shot up to number three on Billboard's R&B charts, and its flip, "You Satisfy," did almost as well. Two more of Wright's Savoy 78s, "Stacked Deck" and "Hey Little Girl," were also Top Ten R&B entries in 1951. The flamboyant Wright set his pal Little Richard up with powerful WGST DJ Zenas Sears, who scored the newcomer his first contract with RCA in 1951. It's no knock on Richard to note that his early sides sound very much like Wright.
Wright recorded steadily for Savoy through 1954, the great majority of his sessions held in his hometown with hot local players (saxist Fred Jackson and guitarist Wesley Jackson were often recruited). After he left Savoy, Wright's recording fortunes plummeted -- a 1955 date for Don Robey's Peacock discery in Houston and sessions for Fire (unissued) and Carrollton in 1959 ended his discography. Wright later MCed shows in Atlanta, remaining active until a stroke in the mid-'70s slowed him down.
© Bill Dahl /TiVo
-
Don't You Want a Man Like Me? (Remastered)
Soul - Released by RevOla on 26 Aug 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Have Mercy Baby - The Best Of
Soul - Released by Nifty Music, Inc. on 1 Mar 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Do You Want A Man Like Me?
Blues - Released by Cherry Red Records on 1 Jan 1980
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Blues For My Baby: Collected Recordings 1949-59
Blues - Released by Acrobat on 6 Oct 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
Billy's Boogie Blues (His Complete Savoy Singles As & Bs 1949-1954)
Blues - Released by Jasmine Records on 28 Aug 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Conversation
Pop - Released by Fire Hour Music Group on 8 Dec 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Blues for My Baby
Blues - Released by Redwood Records on 17 Mar 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Power Of a Woman
Country - Released by Billy Wright on 1 Feb 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Prince Of The Blues
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by 4Beat on 10 Jan 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Don't You Want a Man Like Me?
Blues - Released by Poppydisc on 9 Sep 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
1949-1951
Blues - Released by Classics Blues & Rhythm Series on 10 Jun 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Jump Blues
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Music Manager on 1 Sep 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
My Virtual Memphis
Blues - Released by Billy Wright on 11 Jan 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Sunrise
International Pop - Released by Billy Wright on 19 Apr 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
If I Didn´t Love You
Blues - Released by THUNDERBIRD on 7 May 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Billy Wright - Music History
Blues - Released by Vintage Jukebox on 11 Aug 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Hey Little Girl
Pop - Released by Black Sheep Music on 16 Aug 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo