Billy Rich

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Billy Rich
Birth nameEddie Wilbur Rich
Born (1949-04-07) April 7, 1949 (age 75)
funk
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, arranger
Instrument(s)Bass guitar, vocals
Years active1956–present
Websitebillrichmusic.com

Eddie Wilbur "Billy" Rich (born April 7, 1949) is an American electric bassist and blues musician. He is known for his association with

Denver, Colorado. On July 29, 2004, Billy was inducted into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame, and is a member of the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame
.

Childhood

Bill Rich was born to Milton Rich and Callie "Chaney" Rich. Bill's brother,

Silvertone
.

Bill played primarily guitar for about seven years. At one point he had a double neck Danelectro guitar with a bass on the bottom. He found he enjoyed the bass neck, and decided to switch. His first bass was a Japanese "knockoff" of a Fender Jazz called a Conrad. Rich states his guitar influences are Chuck Berry, Lonnie Mack, and Duane Eddy. His bass playing influence was James Jamerson, who played bass on many Motown recordings.[1]

Early career

Two months after graduating from high school,

The Buddy Miles Express, along with his brother Herbie Rich in 1968. The three were inducted into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame together many years later. Their first gig was at the Whisky a Go Go, a show in which Jimi Hendrix joined them on stage. Hendrix joined with Billy and with The Buddy Miles Express at various times during this period.[1] Billy Rich wrote the song "69 Freedom Special" for The Buddy Miles Express (on the album Electric Church), and Hendrix produced it.[2][3]

He was invited by Hendrix's producer, Allen Douglas, to play bass on Hendrix's

Band of Gypsies album, but he had a prior engagement. Two months later, Douglas invited Rich to do the John McLaughlin Devotion album with him in New York, which he did.[1]

Taj Mahal

In 1972, Billy began playing with Taj Mahal, an association which has continued on and off until today. Along with Rich, this trio started with Mahal and Kester Smith on Drums, a lineup which has changed over time, but has quite frequently featured Rich.[1] With Taj, Bill has toured Europe, South America, Africa, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Fiji Islands.[4]

Solo work and other associations

In the 1970s, Rich spent some time in

R&B, Jazz, Rock, Samba, Pop and Bluegrass. In 1993 Bill played violin for Christian Contemporary Music Top 40 Artist Daniel W Merrick on his album entitled "Aliyah" which helped inspire the singer/songwriter to release country songs in 2021 produced by "Beach Boys" cousin Randy Green of AudioTraxWest Recording studio in Portville, New York.[5] Bill toured for two-and a-half years with the bluegrass ensemble, The Tony Furtado Band.[1]

Rich's work was an influence on many other musicians, such as Jaco Pastorius and tuba player Howard Johnson.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Press Kit & Articles". BillRichMusic.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  2. ^ Jimi Hendrix - from the Benjamin Franklin Studios 3rd Edition Part 1, By Gary Geldeart, Steve Rodham - Page 26
  3. ^ Jimi Hendrix - From The Benjamin Franklin Studios Part 2, By Gary Geldeart, Steve Rodham - Page 90
  4. ^ Nebraska Music Hall of Fame website - BILL RICH
  5. ^ "Aliyah by Daniel W Merrick - DistroKid".
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