Billy Wright

by Bill DahlA prime influence on Little Richard during his formative years, Prince of the Blues Billy Wrights hearty shouting delivery was an Atlanta staple during the postwar years.Wright was a regular at Atlantas 81 Theatre as a youth, soaking up the vaudevillians before graduating to singing and dancing status there himself. Saxist Paul Hucklebuck Williams caught Wrights act when they shared a bill with Charles Brown and Wynonie Harris at Atlantas Auditorium, recommending the teenaged singer to Savoy Records boss Herman Lubinsky.Wrights 1949 Savoy debut, Blues for My Baby, shot up to number three on Billboards R&B charts, and its flip, You Satisfy, did almost as well. Two more of Wrights Savoy 78s, Stacked Deck and Hey Little Girl, were also Top Ten R&B entries in 1951. The flamboyant Wright set his pal Little Richard up with powerful WGST DJ Zenas Sears, who scored the newcomer his first contract with RCA in 1951. Its no knock on Richard to note that his early sides sound very much like Wright.Wright recorded steadily for Savoy through 1954, the great majority of his sessions held in his hometown with hot local players (saxist Fred Jackson and guitarist Wesley Jackson were often recruited). After he left Savoy, Wrights recording fortunes plummeted — a 1955 date for Don Robeys Peacock discery in Houston and sessions for Fire (unissued) and Carrollton in 1959 ended his discography. Wright later MCed shows in Atlanta, remaining active until a stroke in the mid-70s slowed him down.