Richard King
New member
I have been doing some work with a young (not really) fellow, Billy Mure, who lives here in Vero Beach. This Sunday is his 93rd birthday party. http://www.spaceagepop.com/mure.htm In talking with him I found that he has QUITE the history in music production and either produced or played guitar on many songs that old geezers such as myself (59 YO) would remember. His lady friend (yes, he's 93 and lives with his lady friend) and I decided that it is time to do a "documentary" on what he has done in his career. The problem is that he is still playing several times a week, so it will only be a documentary up to his 93rd birthday.
A partial list of his projects include:
Played guitar on:
Diana - Paul Anka (1957 #1)
Wheel of Fortune - Kaye Starr (1952 #1)
Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes - Perry Como (1952 #1)
Rag Mop - Ames Brothers (1950 #1)
Oh My Papa - Eddie Fisher (1954 #1)
Cry - Johnny Ray (1951 #1)
White Sport Coat - Marty Robbins (1957 #1)
Splish Splash - Bobby Darin (1958 #3)
Blame it on the Bossa Nova - Steve and Eydie
Come on a My House - Rosemary Clooney (1951 #1)
Among My Souvenirs - Connie Francis (1959 #7)
Heartaches by the Number - Guy Mitchell (1959 #1)
Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Polka Dot Bikini - Brian Hyland (1960 #1)
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter - Billy Williams (1957 #3)
Chances Are - Johnny Mathis (1957 #1)
How Much is that Doggie in the Window? - Patti Page (1953 #1)
See You In September - G-Clefs
Wrote arrangements, produced and/or recorded (also played on):
And That Reminds Me - Della Reese (1957 #12)
Marcie Blane - Bobby's Girl (1962 #2)
White Silver Sands - Don Rondo (1957 #7)
Tell Laura I Love Her - Ray Peterson (1960 #7)
Do You Want to Dance - Bobby Freeman (1958 #5)
Betty Lou's Got a New Pair of Shoes - Bobby Freeman (1958 #37)
Wrote songs recorded by:
Robert Goulet - Billy Eckstein - Sammy Davis Jr. - Cab Calloway - Sammy Kaye - Nashville Brass - nina Simone - Little Peggy March - Russ Conway and many more.
Television shows:
Arthur Godfrey (6 years) - Jimmy Dean (2 years) - Streisand's first TV special - Your Hit Parade (2 years) - Sing Along With Mitch (1 season) - Ed Sullivan - and more
Broadway Shows (played guitar):
Chicago - Hello Dolly - Annie - Sugar Babies - Damn Yankees - Raisin (and more)
Wrote a couple of movie themes and a bunch of jingles. Released about 15 albums under his name on a variety of labels including RCA, MGM, Strand, Everest, Kapp, etc.
Played in the Air Force Band in WWII.
He used his own name, Billy Mure, on most of these productions, but on some, due to being under contract with a label, he used the name Billy Rock.
His memory of the people, songs and sessions is still very sharp. We got together last night and downloaded a bunch of the songs and his recollection amazed me.
All his work was done in the analog domain.
Now the work starts. I have to sit down with him (and his lady friend) and develop a story board and start the work on this project. I'm open if any of you more creative guys have some suggestions.
A partial list of his projects include:
Played guitar on:
Diana - Paul Anka (1957 #1)
Wheel of Fortune - Kaye Starr (1952 #1)
Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes - Perry Como (1952 #1)
Rag Mop - Ames Brothers (1950 #1)
Oh My Papa - Eddie Fisher (1954 #1)
Cry - Johnny Ray (1951 #1)
White Sport Coat - Marty Robbins (1957 #1)
Splish Splash - Bobby Darin (1958 #3)
Blame it on the Bossa Nova - Steve and Eydie
Come on a My House - Rosemary Clooney (1951 #1)
Among My Souvenirs - Connie Francis (1959 #7)
Heartaches by the Number - Guy Mitchell (1959 #1)
Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Polka Dot Bikini - Brian Hyland (1960 #1)
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter - Billy Williams (1957 #3)
Chances Are - Johnny Mathis (1957 #1)
How Much is that Doggie in the Window? - Patti Page (1953 #1)
See You In September - G-Clefs
Wrote arrangements, produced and/or recorded (also played on):
And That Reminds Me - Della Reese (1957 #12)
Marcie Blane - Bobby's Girl (1962 #2)
White Silver Sands - Don Rondo (1957 #7)
Tell Laura I Love Her - Ray Peterson (1960 #7)
Do You Want to Dance - Bobby Freeman (1958 #5)
Betty Lou's Got a New Pair of Shoes - Bobby Freeman (1958 #37)
Wrote songs recorded by:
Robert Goulet - Billy Eckstein - Sammy Davis Jr. - Cab Calloway - Sammy Kaye - Nashville Brass - nina Simone - Little Peggy March - Russ Conway and many more.
Television shows:
Arthur Godfrey (6 years) - Jimmy Dean (2 years) - Streisand's first TV special - Your Hit Parade (2 years) - Sing Along With Mitch (1 season) - Ed Sullivan - and more
Broadway Shows (played guitar):
Chicago - Hello Dolly - Annie - Sugar Babies - Damn Yankees - Raisin (and more)
Wrote a couple of movie themes and a bunch of jingles. Released about 15 albums under his name on a variety of labels including RCA, MGM, Strand, Everest, Kapp, etc.
Played in the Air Force Band in WWII.
He used his own name, Billy Mure, on most of these productions, but on some, due to being under contract with a label, he used the name Billy Rock.
His memory of the people, songs and sessions is still very sharp. We got together last night and downloaded a bunch of the songs and his recollection amazed me.
All his work was done in the analog domain.
Now the work starts. I have to sit down with him (and his lady friend) and develop a story board and start the work on this project. I'm open if any of you more creative guys have some suggestions.