A rough, rowdy rock & roll singer, Larry Williams had several hits in the late '50s, several of which -- "Bony Maroney," "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy," "Short Fat Fannie," "Bad Boy," "She Said Yeah" -- became genuine rock & roll classics and were recorded by British Invasion groups; John Lennon, in particular, was a fan of Williams, recording several of his songs over the course of his career.
As a child in New Orleans, Williams learned how to play piano. When he was a teenager, he and his family moved to Oakland, CA, where he joined a local R&B group called the Lemon Drops. In 1954, when he was 19 years old, Williams went back to New Orleans for a visit. During his trip, he met Lloyd Price, who was recording for Specialty Records. Price hired the teenager as his valet and introduced him to Robert "Bumps" Blackwell, the label's house producer.
Soon, the label's owner, Art Rupe, signed Williams to a solo recording contract. Just after Specialty signed Larry Williams, Specialty lost Little Richard, who had been their biggest star and guaranteed hitmaker. Little Richard decided to abandon rock & roll for the ministry shortly after Williams cut his first single, a cover of Price's "Just Because," with Richard's backing band. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/larry-williams-mn0000135024/biography
Thanks for dropping that knowledge @music_xplosion — Little Richard abandoning Rock & Roll amidst Williams' signing feels like a genuinely significant (and overlooked) touchstone in the shaping of popular music.
11 Comments (since 7 Apr 2014)
music_xplosion
A rough, rowdy rock & roll singer, Larry Williams had several hits in the late '50s, several of which -- "Bony Maroney," "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy," "Short Fat Fannie," "Bad Boy," "She Said Yeah" -- became genuine rock & roll classics and were recorded by British Invasion groups; John Lennon, in particular, was a fan of Williams, recording several of his songs over the course of his career.
music_xplosion
As a child in New Orleans, Williams learned how to play piano. When he was a teenager, he and his family moved to Oakland, CA, where he joined a local R&B group called the Lemon Drops. In 1954, when he was 19 years old, Williams went back to New Orleans for a visit. During his trip, he met Lloyd Price, who was recording for Specialty Records. Price hired the teenager as his valet and introduced him to Robert "Bumps" Blackwell, the label's house producer.
music_xplosion
Soon, the label's owner, Art Rupe, signed Williams to a solo recording contract. Just after Specialty signed Larry Williams, Specialty lost Little Richard, who had been their biggest star and guaranteed hitmaker. Little Richard decided to abandon rock & roll for the ministry shortly after Williams cut his first single, a cover of Price's "Just Because," with Richard's backing band. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/larry-williams-mn0000135024/biography
music_xplosion
Covered (amongst others) by the Standells http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq6Yip1AWh4 and the Sonics http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Bony+Moronie/1SKIg8?src=5
stuckey
Thanks for dropping that knowledge @music_xplosion — Little Richard abandoning Rock & Roll amidst Williams' signing feels like a genuinely significant (and overlooked) touchstone in the shaping of popular music.
debutch
@music_xplosion Interesting info. Nice one!
ingridwildeman
My mom used to sing this song to me all the time, because I was such a bony maronie...still kinda am....lol
vinyltapradio
Nice pick, but it's not working. Message says it's restricted
music_xplosion
@stuckey Thanks for that comment. I'm happy you liked it!
music_xplosion
@decarter Thanks :) I'm glad you enjoyed it!
music_xplosion
@ingridwildeman Sweet comment :) Glad you liked it!