Billy Boy Arnold
Billy Boy Arnold
Billy Boy Arnold (born September 16, 1935, Chicago, Illinois) is an American blues harmonica player, singer, and songwriter. He began playing harmonica as a child, and in 1948 received informal lessons from his neighbor John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson, shortly before the latter's death. Arnold made his recording debut in 1952 with "Hello Stranger" on the small Cool label, the record company giving him the nickname "Billy Boy".
In the early 1950s, he joined forces with street musician Bo Diddley and played harmonica on the March 2, 1955, recording of the Bo Diddley song "I'm a Man" released by Checker Records. The same day as the Bo Diddley sessions, Billy Boy recorded the self-penned "You Got to Love Me" which was not released until the box set, "Chess Blues 1947-1967", in 1992.
Arnold signed a solo recording contract with Vee-Jay Records, recording the originals of "I Wish You Would" and "I Ain’t Got You". Both were later covered by The Yardbirds. "I Wish You Would" was also recorded by David Bowie on his 1973 album, "Pin Ups" and by Sweet on their 1982 album, "Identity Crisis".
In the late 1950s, Arnold continued to play in Chicago clubs, and in 1963 he recorded an LP, "More Blues From The South Side", for the Prestige label, but as playing opportunities dried up he pursued a parallel career as a bus driver and, later, a parole officer.
By the 1970s, Arnold had begun playing festivals, touring Europe, and recording again. He recorded a session for BBC Radio 1 disc jockey John Peel on 5 October 1977.
In 1993, he released the album "Back Where I Belong" on Alligator Records, followed by "Eldorado Cadillac" (1995) and on Stony Plain Records with the Duke Robillard Band "Boogie ’n’ Shuffle" (2001). In 2012, he released "Blue and Lonesome" featuring Tony McPhee and The Groundhogs.
In 2014, he was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the 'Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year' category
(Billy Boy Arnold at 3rd Annual Poconos Blues Festival 1994)