• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Events
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • THE SPORTS CREDENTIAL
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album Releases
    • Single Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Search
  • Menu

Guitarist/Producer Billy Strange Dies

February 24, 2012/in Featured, Obituary /by Robert K Oermann

Billy Strange, a member of the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville, has died at age 81.

Equally notable as a top studio guitarist, record producer, songwriter and music arranger, Strange was born in 1930 and raised in Long Beach, CA. He was performing with his parents by age fourteen. He initially worked as a country guitarist, backing Spade Cooley, Roy Rogers, The Sons of the Pioneers, Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant in the 1950s. He also served a stint in Count Basie’s band.

He rose to become a top session guitarist in L.A., a member of the ensemble known as “The Wrecking Crew.” As such, he backed everyone from The Beach Boys to Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Records by The Everly Brothers, Nat King Cole, Randy Newman, Willie Nelson, Dean Martin, Rick Nelson, Jan & Dean, Love, Johnny Cash, The Hondells, Doris Day, Wanda Jackson, Wayne Newton, The Ventures, Pat Boone and many more contain his guitar stylings.

Strange’s distinctive, inventive arrangements include Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walking,” Cher’s “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” and the Nancy and Frank Sinatra duet “Somethin’ Stupid.”

Recording for GNP Crescendo, Billy Strange issued a dozen instrumental albums in the 1960s. He was also a member of the pop band The Avalanches.

As a songwriter, Strange co-wrote “A Little Less Conversation,” “Charro,” “Clean Up Your Own Back Yard” and “Memories” for Elvis Presley, “Limbo Rock” for Chubby Checker and a number of instrumentals for Speedy West, Jimmy Bryant and Herb Alpert.

Billy Strange moved to Nashville in the 1970s. He initially ran Sinatra’s publishing company’s office in Music City. In the 1980s, record executive Jimmy Bowen hired him to produce a series of country comeback albums on Dot Records for Jeanne Pruett, George Hamilton IV, Justin Tubb, Helen Cornelius and other veteran stars.

Billy Strange was induced into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007. He is also a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He died in Nashville on Wednesday, February 22. He is survived by his wife, singer Jeanne Black, as well as two children. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Robert K Oermann
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.
Latest posts by Robert K Oermann (see all)
  • Country TV Pioneer Bayron Binkley Passes - May 4, 2022
  • A ‘First Friend’ Remembers Naomi - May 3, 2022
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Luke Combs Gives Taste Of New Music With ‘Tomorrow Me’ - April 28, 2022
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png 0 0 Robert K Oermann https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Robert K Oermann2012-02-24 14:45:282012-02-24 14:45:28Guitarist/Producer Billy Strange Dies

RECENT NEWS

  • Country TV Pioneer Bayron Binkley Passes May 4, 2022
  • Kane Brown & Co-Writers Commemorate A Handful Of Firsts At ‘One Mississippi’ No. 1 Party May 4, 2022
  • Travis Tritt & Chris Janson To Embark On Co-Headlining ‘The Can’t Miss Tour’ This Fall May 4, 2022
  • John Anderson Tribute Album Featuring Eric Church, Luke Combs, More Set For August May 4, 2022
  • Tyler Hubbard Signs With EMI Nashville, Plans Upcoming Solo Project May 4, 2022
  • My Music Row Story: CAA’s Marc Dennis May 4, 2022
  • BBR Appoints Katie Kerkhover To VP Of A&R, Sara Knabe To Exit May 4, 2022
  • Marty Stuart’s ‘Late Night Jam’ Returns With Billy Strings, Emmylou Harris, More May 4, 2022
  • Brantley Gilbert & Jelly Roll Team Up For ‘Son Of The Dirty South Summer Tour 2022’ May 4, 2022
  • CMA Foundation Names 2022 Music Teachers Of Excellence Honorees May 4, 2022
  • Dolly Parton To Be Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame This November May 4, 2022
  • On The Row: Jessica Willis Fisher Reclaims Her Voice On ‘Brand New Day’ May 3, 2022
  • Elvie Shane, Morgan Wade, Breland Announced As Opry NextStage Class Of 2022 Members May 3, 2022
  • BMG Re-Ups Leadership, Jon Loba Adds Publishing Duties To Responsibilities May 3, 2022
  • Ernest Tubb Record Shop To Celebrate 75th Anniversary Tonight With Midnite Jamboree Show May 3, 2022

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2022 Music Row Enterprises, LLC – All rights reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Scroll to top