Larry Williams

Larry Williams
Background information
Birth name	Lawrence Eugene Williams
Born	(1935-05-10)May 10, 1935 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.[1]
Died	January 7, 1980(1980-01-07) (aged 44) Los Angeles, California, U.S.[1]
Genres	Rock and roll R&B funk soul
Occupations	Singer songwriter musician record producer
Instrument(s)	Vocals, piano
Years active	1954–1979
Labels	London Chess Okeh Fantasy

Lawrence Eugene Williams (May 10, 1935 – January 7, 1980)

Williams' life mixed tremendous success with violence and drug addiction. He was a longtime friend of Little Richard, with whom his life intertwined personally and professionally from their meeting in 1955 to Williams' death in 1980.^[3]

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 10, 1935, Williams moved west with his family early in his childhood. He spent some time with relatives in Chicago, Illinois, before relocating to Oakland, California in 1945.^[4] Williams learned to play piano as a boy. As a teen he joined a local R&B band in Oakland, Calif., when his parents relocated there.

Williams returned to New Orleans in 1954 and began working for his cousin, singer Lloyd Price, as a valet. He played in the bands of Price, Roy Brown, and Percy Mayfield.^[1] In 1955, Williams met and developed a friendship with Little Richard, who was recording at the time in New Orleans.^[5] Price and Little Richard were both recording for Specialty Records. He was introduced to Robert Blackwell, Specialty's house producer, and was signed to the label.^[1]

In 1957, Little Richard was Specialty's biggest star, but he left rock and roll to pursue the ministry. Williams quickly was groomed by Blackwell to try to replicate his success. Using the same raw, shouting vocals and piano-driven intensity, Williams scored with a number of hit singles.^[1][5]

Williams' three biggest successes were "Short Fat Fannie", which was his bestseller, reaching No. 5 in Billboard's pop chart, "Bony Moronie", which peaked at No. 14, and its flip-side "You Bug Me Baby" which made it to No. 45. "Short Fat Fannie" and "Bony Moronie" each sold over one million copies.^[6]

After 1957, Williams did not have much success selling records. He recorded a number of songs in 1958 and 1959, including "

Williams also began acting in the 1960s, appearing on film in Just for the Hell of It (1968), The Klansman (1974), and Drum (1976).^[10]

In the 1970s, he briefly was involved with

Williams' lifestyle involved recreational drug use and abuse which resulted in trouble with the law.

Williams was married to Ina Marie Williams, although they were eventually estranged.[12]

On January 7, 1980, Williams' body was found by his mother at his home in Los Angeles, California from a gunshot wound to the head.^[1] He was 44 years old.^[12] His death was deemed suicide, though there was speculation that he was murdered because of his involvement in drugs and allegedly prostitution.^[1] No suspects were arrested or charged. Williams was interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California.

An Illinois drummer and blues singer named Martin Albritton claimed to be Larry Williams, alive and well. This claim originated at about the time Larry Williams was found dead.^[