Larry Williams (Lawrence E. Williams or Larry E. Williams, 10 May 1935 – 7 January 1980) was an American rhythm and blues and rock and roll singer, songwriter and pianist from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is best known for writing and recording some Rock 'n' Roll standards from 1957 to 1959 for Specialty Records, including 'Short Fat Fannie", "Bony Moronie" and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" (see also: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll).
Several of his songs achieved later success as revivals by The Beatles ("Bad Boy", "Slow Down", and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy"); The Rolling Stones ("She Said Yeah"); and John Lennon ("Bony Moronie" and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy").
Williams' first records were released by Specialty Records, as that label's biggest star, Little Richard, left Rock 'n' Roll in July 1957 to pursue the ministry. Groomed as Richard's successor, Williams' records had the same raw, piano-driven intensity.
Williams had been involved with underworld activity since his early teens, and had reputedly been a pimp before he ever recorded music. In the late 1950s his music career suffered a setback when he was arrested for dealing narcotics. However, Williams made a comeback in the mid-sixties with a band that included Johnny "Guitar" Watson, which paired him musically with Little Richard at the Okeh Club. This period garnered fewer hits but produced some of his best and most original work. There was also a brief dalliance with disco in the seventies.
Williams' wild lifestyle continued, and by the late 1970's violence took its toll on him and his friends.
In 1977, Little Richard Penniman narrowly escaped being shot by his long-time friend, Williams, over a drug debt. This, along with other factors, led to Penniman's return to born again Christianity and the ministry, but Williams would not escape.
In 1980, Williams was found dead from a gun-shot wound Los Angeles, California home. The death was deemed suicide, though there was much speculation otherwise. No suspects were ever arrested or charged.
A Southern Illinois blues singer by the name of Martin Albritton claimes to be the "real" Larry Williams - alive and well. He has toured the country performing under the moniker of "Big" Larry Williams, and has gone so far as to claim that HE recorded the hits Bony Moronie and Dizzy Miss Lizzy. He did record one legitamate album in 1991 called "Street Party" with the Mellow Fellows band, previously headed by Big Twist.
Larry R. Williams is a stock and commodities trader and technical analyst. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon, with BS in Journalism.
Larry Williams is an American horn player. He has distinguished himself as a multifaceted musician whose artistry led the late Philip Farkas (former Principal Horn of the Chicago Symphony and master teacher), to describe him as "an outstanding artist-soloist with fine tone, excellent intonation, superb accuracy, and superior musicianship".
Ebony magazine listed Mr. Williams as one of the "50 Leaders of Tomorrow" in 1995.
The Maine Sunday Telegram described Larry as "a phenomenally good horn player, with the brilliance for solo work and the ear to blend perfectly with a string quartet that has been playing together for years".
Williams is currently an active soloist, recitalist, and member of the Lyric Brass Quintetblank">http://www.lyricbrass.com, Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brasshttp://www.classactsontour.com, and serves as Principal Horn of The Soulful Symphony, and is a member of The Sphinx Symphony Orchestrahttp://www.sphinxmusic.org. Williams formerly served as Principal Horn of the _New World Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, and has performed with the Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco Symphony Orchestras. His wide range of musical styles includes solo and chamber repertoire, jazz, pop, contemporary, gospel, film, and commercial music. Williams has toured and performed with Jazz and Popular music greats: Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Gloria Estefan, and Arturo Sandoval.
Mr. Williams is a member of the horn faculty of the Peabody Institute, where he also serves Director of Adult & Continuing Education and Chair of the Preparatory Brass & Winds Department. In addition to teaching at Peabody, Williams also serves as Instructor of Horn at Morgan State University.
Honors and awards include:
