Larry Williams
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| (May 10, 1935 – January 7, 1980) |
Williams had already become a piano pounder before his family moved from New Orleans to Oakland, CA in the early 1950s…
In 1954, Williams went back to New Orleans for a visit. He began work as Lloyd Price's valet and played in the bands of Price, Roy Brown and Percy Mayfield. In 1955, Williams met and developed a friendship with Little Richard Penniman, who was recording at the time in New Orleans.
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| Little Richard Penniman |
Price and Penniman were both recording for Specialty Records. Williams was introduced to Specialty's house producer, Robert Blackwell, and was signed to record…
Just after Specialty signed Larry Williams, the New Orleans label lost Little Richard, who had been their biggest star and guaranteed hitmaker.
Little Richard decided to abandon rock & roll for the ministry shortly after Williams cut his first single, a cover of Price's "Just Because," with Richard's backing band; "Just Because" peaked at number 11 on the R&B charts in the spring of 1957…
Just Because
After Little Richard left Speciality, the label put all of its energy into making Williams a star...
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| Larry Williams "Makeover" |
Short Fat Fannie was Williams’ first ‘Little Richard-esque” release and it reached #5 on the charts…
Then, Bony Maronie peaked at #14…
And Dizzy Miss Lizzy charted at #69…
Slow Down, was covered by various artists—most notably The Beatles…
Story has it that Williams had been involved with underworld activity since his early teens, and had reputedly been a pimp before he ever recorded music...
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| Larry Williams Publicity Shot |
He recorded a number of songs in 1958 and 1959, with band members such as Plas Johnson on tenor sax and Jewel Grant on baritone, Rene Hall on guitar, Gerald Wilson on trumpet, Ernie Freeman or Williams himself on piano, and Earl Palmer on drums. He was convicted of dealing narcotics in 1960 and served a three-year jail term…
In 1977, Williams pulled a gun on and threatened to kill his long-time friend, Little Richard, over a drug debt. They were both living in Los Angeles and addicted to cocaine and heroin...
Little Richard had bought drugs from him and arranged to pay him later, but did not show up because he was high. Williams was furious. He hunted him down but ended up showing compassion on his long-time friend after Little Richard repaid the debt… 
(This, along with other factors, led to Little Richard's return to born again Christianity and the ministry)
On January 7, 1980, Williams was found dead from a gunshot wound to his head in his Los Angeles, California home. He was 44 years old. The death was deemed suicide, though there was much speculation otherwise. No suspects were ever arrested or charged...
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| R.I.P. LARRY WILLIAMS |
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