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Jockey, chanteur et compositeur Country né le 28 Aout 1928 à Bessemer (Alabama).
Dans le milieu des années 40, "Texas" Bill Strength parcouru le Missouri, le Kansas,
le Colorado, l' Arkansas et le Tennessee. Il se produisit également au Louisiana
Hayride et au Grand Ole Opry tout en poursuivant sa carriere de DJ. Il décedera
le 1er Octobre 1973 à la suite d'un accident de voiture. Il sera élu
au Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame en 1990.
Although
much better known for his career as a radio personality, Texas Bill Strength
also cut a series of country and rockabilly efforts, including a session for the
legendary Sun Records backed by former
Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty Moore.
Born August 28, 1928 in Bessemer, Alabama, Strength was all of 16 when he won an
amateur contest at Houston's Joy Theater -- local station KTHT was in the market
for a cowboy act, and soon he was working part-time on the air. In 1945 Strength
began deejaying full-time for St. Joseph, Missouri station KFEQ, followed by a
stint singing for Sioux Falls, South Dakota radio KSOO -- after a tenure with
Denver's KMYR, he returned to Houston, in quick succession appearing on KLEE,
KATL and KNUZ. During this time, Strength also cut a series of little-heard
singles for the 4-Star label, among them "Who's the Lucky One" and "I'm Doing a
Peach of a Job." In early 1950 he was hired by the Congress of Industrial
Organizations (CIO) to promote the organization via radio and convention
appearances -- for 4-Star, he even cut the labor anthem "We Will Overcome." He
also continued his radio career for Atlanta's WGST and Decatur's WEAS, and in
late 1950 signed to Coral Records, debuting with "Black Coffee Blues."
Strength's "Coral" stint would prove the most successful and long-lived of his
peripatetic recording career -- he enjoyed his biggest hit there with "You Can't
Have My Love," a duo with the underrated Tabby West, and also scored with
singles including "Nobody Knows This More Than Me" and "I Was Only Teasing You."
In 1954 Strength was named "Mr. DJ USA" by influential Nashville station WSM,
and by year's end he relocated to Memphis station KWAM, where he witnessed the
birth of rock & roll via the emergence of Sun acts
Elvis Presley,
Johnny Cash and
Carl Perkins. After accepting a
position with St. Paul, Minnesota's KEYD, home to fellow DJs/singers
Roy Drusky and
Dave Dudley, Strength signed to Capitol
Records for efforts including "Cry, Cry, Cry," "Turn Around" and "Do You Think
I'm Happy" -- in the Twin Cities, he also hosted a children's television show,
Adventures With Texas Bill. But as his long battle with alcoholism grew more
severe, Strength returned to Memphis in mid-'60, accepting Sun promotional
manager Cecil Scaife's offer to record for the label -- with
Moore on guitar and D.J. Fontana on
drums, he cut seven songs, with only "Guess I Better Go" and "Senorita" ever
receiving commercial release. After a short stay with Bakersfield, California
station KUZZ, Strength returned to the Twin Cities, first for KTCR and later for
WMIN. He remained there for the rest of his life, recording the occasional
single for labels like Starday ("Nervous as a Cat"), Golden Wing ("Let the Chips
Fall") and Bangar ("Paper Boy Boogie"). During the early 1970s, he also penned
for the monthly Upper Midwest & Western News Scene a column entitled "Down
Memory Lane," documenting stories about his life and experiences in the music
business. On August 5, 1973, Strength was paralyzed from the waist down
following an auto accident -- he then slipped into a coma, dying on October 1 at
the age of 45. He was inducted into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame in 1990.
http://www.hillbilly-music.com/artists/story/index.php?id=11253
Talents : Vocals, Guitar, Songwriter, Disc Jockey
Style musical : Traditional Country, Hillbilly Boogie, Rockabilly
PAPER BOY BOOGIE (1952)
Let's Make Love Or Go Home One (1954)
CRY, CRY, CRY (1955)
THE YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS (1955)
But Do You Think I'm Happy
(1956)
GUESS I'D BETTER GO
(1960)
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Years in activity :
| 1910 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 2000 | 10 | 20 |
DISCOGRAPHY
78 t. & Singles
| 1949 | 78 t. CIRECO 102 (US) | . |
[Jerry Irby and His Texas Ranchers:] 49 Women (Jerry Irby & His "Texas" Ranchers) / Little I And Big You ("Texas" Bill Strength & His Saddle Ranchers) |
| 07/1949 | 78 t. 4 STAR 1334 (US) | . | "Texas" Bill Strength & His SADDLEPALS - If I Could Buy Your Love / Please Don't Ever Forget Me |
| 07/1949 | SP 4 STAR 45-1334 (US) | . | "Texas" Bill Strength & His SADDLEPALS - If I Could Buy Your Love / Please Don't Ever Forget Me |
| 12/1949 | 78 t. 4 STAR 1402 (US) | . | "Texas" Bill Strength & His SADDLE PALS -Action Speaks Louder Than Words / Mister Moon Sailing High |
| 12/1949 | SP 4 STAR 45-1402 (US) | . | "Texas" Bill Strength & His SADDLE PALS -Action Speaks Louder Than Words / Mister Moon Sailing High |
| 05/1950 | 78 t. 4 STAR 1465 (US) | . | "Texas" Bill Strength & His SADDLEPALS - Who's The Lucky One / Black Coffee Blues |
| 05/1950 | SP 4 STAR 45-1465 (US) | . | "Texas" Bill Strength & His SADDLEPALS - Who's The Lucky One / Black Coffee Blues |
| 1950 | 78 t. TEXAS BILL STRENGTH OP-102 (US) | . | We Shall Overcome / Shall We Gather At The River |
| 07/1950 | 78 t. 4 STAR 1499 (US) | . | We Shall Overcome / Shall We Gather At The River |
| 07/1950 | SP 4 STAR 45-1499 (US) | . | We Shall Overcome / Shall We Gather At The River |
| 10/1950 | 78 t. 4 STAR 1532 (US) | . | "Texas" Bill Strength & His SADDLE PALS - I'm Doin' A Peach Of A Job / It Could Be A Wonderful World |
| 10/1950 | SP 4 STAR 45-1532 (US) | . | "Texas" Bill Strength & His SADDLE PALS - I'm Doin' A Peach Of A Job / It Could Be A Wonderful World |
| 03/1951 | 78 t. 4 STAR 1554 (US) | . | Frown On The Moon / I'm Walking In Heaven |
| 03/1951 | SP 4 STAR 45-1554 (US) | . | Frown On The Moon / I'm Walking In Heaven |
| 01/1952 | SP 4 STAR X-36 (US) | . | "Texas" Bill Strength & His SADDLE PALS - We Shall Overcome / Shall We Gather At The River |
| 02/1952 | 78 t. CORAL 64117 (US) | . | Cherry Pie / Is Someone Else the Lucky One Tonight |
| 02/1952 | SP CORAL 9-64117 (US) | . | Cherry Pie / Is Someone Else the Lucky One Tonight |
| 06/1952 | 78 t. CORAL 64133 (US) | . |
Paper Boy Boogie
/
I Was Only Teasin' You |
| 06/1952 | SP CORAL 9-64133 (US) | . |
Paper Boy Boogie
/
I Was Only Teasin' You |
| 03/1953 | 78 t. CORAL 64139 (US) | . | I Found My Love / It's A Shame |
| 03/1953 | SP CORAL 9-64139 (US) | . | I Found My Love / It's A Shame |
| 01/1954 | 78 t. CORAL 64152 (US) | . | Rain Or Shine / Heart Don't Complain |
| 01/1954 | SP CORAL 9-64152 (US) | . | Rain Or Shine / Heart Don't Complain |
| 06/1954 | 78 t. CORAL 64171 (US) | . | Alone / Country Love |
| 06/1954 | SP CORAL 9-64171 (US) | . | Alone / Country Love |
| 06/1954 | 78 t. CORAL 64177 (US) | . |
Tabby WEST &
Texas Bill STRENGTH -
Let's Make Love Or Go Home One
/ You Can't Have My Love |
| 06/1954 | SP CORAL 9-64177 (US) | . |
Tabby WEST &
Texas Bill STRENGTH -
Let's Make Love Or Go Home One
/ You Can't Have My Love |
| 11/1954 | 78 t. CORAL 61284 (US) | . | Nice To Be Living / Nobody Knows This More Than Me |
| 11/1954 | SP CORAL 9-61284 (US) | . | Nice To Be Living / Nobody Knows This More Than Me |
| 08/1955 | 78 t. CAPITOL 3217 (US) | . |
Cry, Cry, Cry
/
The Yellow Rose
Of Texas
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| 08/1955 | SP CAPITOL F3217 (US) | . |
Cry, Cry, Cry
/
The Yellow Rose
Of Texas
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| 11/1955 | 78 t. CAPITOL 3282 (US) | . | Turn Around / When Love Comes Knockin' |
| 11/1955 | SP CAPITOL F3282 (US) | . | Turn Around / When Love Comes Knockin' |
| 04/1956 | 78 t. CAPITOL 3294 (US) | . | When The Bright Lights Grow Dim / It Ain't Much Bit It's Home |
| 04/1956 | SP CAPITOL F3394 (US) | . | When The Bright Lights Grow Dim / It Ain't Much Bit It's Home |
| 02/1957 | 78 t. CAPITOL 3477 (US) | . | Where Did My Heart Go / Gotta Lotta Love |
| 02/1957 | SP CAPITOL F3477 (US) | . | Where Did My Heart Go / Gotta Lotta Love |
| 10/1956 | 78 t. CAPITOL 3568 (US) | . |
North Wind /
But Do You Think I'm Happy
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| 10/1956 | SP CAPITOL F3568 (US) | . |
North Wind /
But Do You Think I'm Happy
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| 1956 | SP CAPITOL CR1348 PS (JAP) |
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North Wind / But Do You Think I'm Happy |
| 1956 ? | SP CAPITOL 7P-88 (JAP) |
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North Wind (北風 /) But Do You Think I'm Happy ( でも俺は幸せかい) |
| 04/1957 | 78 t. CAPITOL 3701 (US) | . | I Wanna Ride, Ride, Ride (On Your Merry-Go-Round) / Six Fools |
| 04/1957 | SP CAPITOL F3701 (US) | . | I Wanna Ride, Ride, Ride (On Your Merry-Go-Round) / Six Fools |
| 1960 | SP TOPPA 45-1024 (US) | . |
Picture Of My Heart / Watching The World Go By |
| 09/1960 | SP SUN 45-346 (US) | . |
Bill STRENGTH -
Guess I'd Better Go
(with GENE LOWERY SINGERS) / Senorita |
| 1962 | SP Golden Wing GW-3013 (US) | . |
Let The Chips Fall / Foolish Pretender |
| 1963 | SP GOLDEN RING GR-3024 (US) | . | Tears In My Beer / Let’s Make Love (& TINA) |
| 11/1964 | SP BANGAR BA-00649 (US) | . | Paper Boy Boogie / Bells Of Memory |
| 1965 | SP STUDIO CITY SC 1036 (US) | . |
Million Memories (Texas Bill STRENGTH) / Cattle Call (Tiny Tina, The Yodeling Queen) |
| 1965 | SP TWIN TOWN TT 704 (US) | . |
As Much Yours As Mine / Promise |
| 1966 | SP TWIN TOWN TT 712 (US) | . | Call Of The Wild / Lake Lonely |
| 1967 | SP NASHVILLE NV-5291 (US) | . | The Moment I Found You / The Best Thing In Life Is Love |
| 1971 | SP STARDAY 45-927 (US) |
Hillbilly Hades / Nervous As A Cat |
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| 1971 | SP ReCar 45-9001 (US) | . |
Hillbilly Hades / Nervous As A Cat |
| 1973 | SP Brite Star BSP 2448 (US) | . |
Somehow, Someday, Someway / Nothing Is Sweeter Than You |
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Unissued Tracks
| 1960 | SUN unissued - (Charly LP 30150 (#15)) | Call Of The Wild |
Album
| 1971 | LP 12" Re-Car RC 2022 (US) |
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TEXAS BILL STRENGTH'S GREATEST HITS - Let The Chips Fall / Foolish Pretender / The Moment I Found You / The Best Thing In Life Is Love / As Much Yours As Mine / Call Of The Wild / Lake Lonely / I'm Gonna Catch You / Betty Lou / Let's Make Love / Bells Of Memory / Paper Boy Boogie | ||
| 1982 | LP 12" Castle LP-8204 (GER) |
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Country and Western In The 40’s and 50’s, - vol. 4 - Texas Bill Strength - Turn Around / When Love Comes Knockin’ / Gotta Lotta Love / Where Did My Love Go / Six Fools / I Wanna Ride, Ride, Ride On Your Merry-Go-Round / The Yellow Rose Of Texas / Cry, Cry, Cry / Country Love / Alone / Is Somebody Else The Lucky One Tonight / Cherry Pie / It Could Be A Wonderdul World / I'm Doing A Peach Of A Job / Let's Make Love Or Go Home One (with Tabby West) / You Can't Have My Love (with Tabby West) |
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| 02/2007 | CD BACM CD D 186 (UK) |
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| 2013 | CD BACM CD D 415 (UK) |
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Texas Billy Strength Vol. 2 - Please Don’t Ever Forget Me - Prisoner’s Song (with Johnny Bond) [radio] / Turn Around (with Carl Perkins) [radio] / Never (with Betty Foley [Atlanta, GA, 1954] / What More Can I Do (with Jerry Reed] [Minneapolis, radio, 1954] / Someday You’ll Call My Name (with Melody Ranch Boys) [Atlanta, GA, 1954] / Y’All Come (with Melody Ranch Boys) [Atlanta, GA, 1954] / When I Lost My Baby (previously unissued) / Try To Think How Lonesome I Would Be (previously unissued) / There’s No Way Out (previously unissued) / That Lucky Old Sun [radio] / Substitute Love / Post No Bills / Please Don’t Ever Forget Me / King Size Broken Heart (previously unissued) / Mr. Moon Sailing High / Molly Darlin‘ [radio, July-54] / Little Red Wagon / I’m Walking In Heaven / If I Could Buy Your Love / Actions Speak Louder Than Words / I Was Only Teasin‘ You / It’s Nice To Be Living / Million Memories / Tears In My Beer / Nobody Knows This More Than Me / Guess I’d Better Go / Heart Don’t Complain / Picture Of My Heart / Rain Or Shine / Senorita |
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| ???? | CD HMC ? (US) |
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Paper Boy Boogie - Actions Speak Louder Than Words / Mr. Moon Sailing High / Black Coffee Blues / Paper Boy Boogie / Cherry Pie / Rain Or Shine / It's Nice To Be Living / Country Love / Let's Make Love Or Go Home / Turn Around / Cry Cry Cry / When Love Comes Knockin' / Gotta Lotta Love / North Wind / Six Fools / Watching The World Go By / Tears In My Beer / Hillbilly Hades / Nervous As A Cat / Little Red Wagon |
© Rocky Productions 15/04/2019
