Billy Jack Wills

Western Musician. Born in Memphis, Texas, he was a vocalist, songwriter, guitar player, best known for being a member of the western swing band the Texas Playboys. After developing genres of jump blues, R&B and be-bop music as the Billy Jack Band in the 1940s, he with his brothers formed the Texas Playboys in 1950. The group enjoyed a strong Northwest following, touring, performing on radio shows, plus cut the hit records "Rockabye Baby Blues", "Teardrops From My Eyes", "For You, My Love" and covered the rock-a-billie classic "There's Good Rocking Tonight" in 1953. Before the Texas Playboys disbanded in 1954, they also released the singles "Faded Love" and "Crazy, Man, Crazy". Wills went out on the road, joined Jimmie Rivers and the Cherokees, plus played on various radio broadcasts before retiring from music in 1960.

Maintained by: Find A Grave Record added: Jul 10, 2000

Find A Grave Memorial# 10526

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via brother James Robert 'Bob' Wills by SmartCopy: Feb 16 2015, 0:05:57 UTC