Bill Harvey (bandleader)

William G. Harvey (October 1918 – October 6, 1964)[1] was an American rhythm and blues saxophonist and bandleader.

Born in Winona, Mississippi, he moved with his mother to Memphis, Tennessee, as a child.[1] He became the leader of one of the most successful performing bands in Memphis immediately after World War II, establishing a residency at Mitchell's Hotel on Beale Street. In 1950, he signed a deal with Don Robey's Peacock Records in Houston, Texas, and his band featured on many of the successful R&B records released by Peacock and Duke Records during the 1950s, including those by Marie Adams, Big Mama Thornton, Bobby "Blue" Bland, and Little Junior Parker.[2] He also led Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's touring band.[3] In 1952, he signed with B.B. King to become the blues singer and guitarist's bandleader, a role he continued for the next four years.[4][5][6]

Harvey suffered from diabetes and, after having both his legs amputated, died in Memphis in 1964, aged 46.[1]

References

1. Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues – A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara: Praeger Publishers. pp. 224–225. ISBN 978-0313344237.
2. 45 Discography for Duke Records, Global Dog Productions. Retrieved 19 October 2016
3. Lauterbach, Preston (2011). The Chitlin' Circuit and the Road to Rock'n'Roll. New York: W. W. Norton. p. 202. ISBN 978-0-393-34294-9.
4. "Charles Sawyer, "Riley B. King—A Timeline", Harvard University. Retrieved 19 October 2016
5. Colin Escott (2005). "B.B. King: A Golden Anniversary (2000)". In Richard Kostelanetz; Jesse Reiswig (eds.). The B.B. King Reader. Milwaukee: Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 9–14. ISBN 9780634099274.
6. Chris Gray (May 27, 2015). "The Many Houstonians Who Helped Make B.B. King a Star". Houston Press. Retrieved January 10, 2023.