This is intended to be a homage to very many musicians I've loved since I started listening to music. My intention is to tell what I know about them, hoping that those people who like them too, will help me fill numerous gaps, which I may have in their careers and discographies. Sorry, but there are no MP3 audio files here at all, just info (and love for the musicians).


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Thursday 17 June 2010

Billy Law (drums)


BANDS:
  • Clyde Valley Stompers
  • The Jazz Cardinals [May 62-Nov 62]
  • Long John Baldry Band [1964-Oct 64]
  • Alex Harvey Band [1965]
  • Alan Elsdon Group [1966]
  • Edmond Hall Group [1966]

BIOGRAPHY:

Billy Law was born William Alexander Law, in Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland. The first band I´ve been able to trace by him is the Clyde Valley Stompers.


CLYDE VALLEY STOMPERS


Clyde Valley Stompers was a Scottish traditional jazz band. Led by the late Ian Menzies since 1954, it had many different lineups.

Billy Law was a member of the band, probably circa 1962 or maybe 1963, but can´t find the complete info, so if someone can help, it would be welcomed, please.

CLYDE VALLEY STOMPERS #?
?
Ian Menzies
trombone
Lindsay Cooper
bass
Norrie Brown
banjo
+ others unknown to me.


THE JAZZ CARDINALS


In May 1962, Billy Law emmigrated to Denmark, in order to join a dixieland jazz band called The Jazz Cardinals:

THE JAZZ CARDINALS #?
May 62-Aug 62
Jack Brunckhorst
banjo
Alfred Lauridsen
bass
Dieter Kock
trumpet
Jorgen Jacobsen
clarinet
Goffi Rasmussen
trombone

In August 1962, Dieter Kock leaves:

THE JAZZ CARDINALS #?
Aug 62-Nov 62
Jack Brunckhorst
banjo
Alfred Lauridsen
bass
Per Hansen
trumpet
Jorgen Jacobsen
clarinet
Goffi Rasmussen
trombone

They recorded an album during summer 1962, but I cannot be sure if Billy appears there. Does anybody know?

Finally, Billy left the band around November 1962 (being replaced by none other than the mythical Viv Prince).


LONG JOHN BALDRY & THE HOOCHIE COOCHIE MEN


Ernie O'Malley was replaced by Billy Law, sometime late in 1964:

LONG JOHN BALDRY BAND #?
1964 - Oct 64
Long John Baldry
vocals
Rod Stewart
vocals
Geoff Bradford
guitar
Cliff Barton
bass
Johnny Parker
piano

They remained together until October 1964, when the band changed and Billy Law left.


ALEX HARVEY SOUL BAND


Next thing I know about Billy Law is that he joins Alex Harvey Soul Band in 1965:

ALEX HARVEY BAND #?
1965
Alex Harvey
vocals, guitar
Wally Stewart
vocals
Jimmy Grimes
bass
Bill Patrick
sax, flute

I don't know if Billy appears in any of their albums, so any additional info would be very welcomed.


ALAN ELSDON GROUP


Later, Billy Law was a member of Alan Elsdon's Band, a jazz combo:

ALAN ELSDON GROUP #?
?
Edmond Hall
clarinet
+
Alan Elsdon
trumpet
Johnny Barton
guitar, banjo
Mick Gilligan
bass
Colin Bates
piano
Andy Cooper
clarinet, sax
Phil Rhodes
trombone

They played backing different jazz players, appearing in album by clarinet players Edmond Hall or Albert Nicholas.


EDMOND HALL GROUP


Billy Law was also a member of Edmond Hall Quartet (all of them taken from Alan Elsdon Band):

EDMOND HALL GROUP #?
?
Edmond Hall
clarinet
Mick Gilligan
bass
Colin Bates
piano

They released the album Edmond Hall Quartet.


AND THEN...


And then, I haven´t been able to find more info or credits about Billy Law. Does anybody know why? Maybe he retired from music business?

DISCOGRAPHY: (7 albums known to me - Status: Quite advanced)

ALBUMS AS A BAND MEMBER (5 credits)
  • Long John´s blues - Long John Baldry And The Hoochie Coochie Men (12/1964)

    • Members: Geoff Bradford, Billy Law, Rod Stewart (RIP: Ian Armit, Long John Baldry, Cliff Barton)
    • Guests: Ottilie Patterson (RIP: Charles Blackwell)
    • Comments: CD reissue contains 11 bonus tracks: singles (some of them, unreleased) as well as a session for Ottilie Patterson in March 1964.
  • Edmond Hall Quartet - Edmond Hall Quartet (1966)

    • Members: Billy Law (RIP: Edmond Hall)
    • Guests: (RIP: Art Hodes)
  • Albert Nicholas with Alan Elsdon´s Band volume two - Albert Nicholas (1967)

  • Albert Nicholas with Alan Elsdon´s Band volume one - Albert Nicholas (1995)

    • Members: Billy Law (RIP: Albert Nicholas)
    • Comments: Live album recorded in 1967, but unreleased until 1995.
  • The Reunion sessions - Ian and his Clyde Valley Stompers Menzies (09/2007)

COMPILATIONS AS A BAND MEMBER (1 credit)
  • Looking at Long John Baldry - the UA years 1964-1966 - Long John Baldry (05/2006)

    • Members: Geoff Bradford, Billy Law (RIP: Ian Armit, Long John Baldry, Cliff Barton)
    • Producer: George Martin
COLLECTIVE ALBUMS (1 credit)
  • Rock generation volume 5 - VVAA (1965)

    • Guests: Geoff Bradford, Eric Clapton, Spencer Davis, Chris Dreja, Mike Hart, Billy Law, Jim McCarty, Paul Samwell-Smith, Rod Stewart, Muff Winwood, Steve Winwood, Pete York (RIP: Ian Armit, Long John Baldry, Cliff Barton, Sonny Boy Williamson)
    • Comments: This French sampler has the subtitle ´The First Rhythm & Blues Festival in England (Birmingham Town Hall, 28th February 1964)´. It contains live tracks by Spencer Davis R&B Quartet, Long John Baldry and The Hoochie Coochie Men, The Yardbirds and the Liverpool Roadrunners.

THANKS:

Special Thanks to:
  • John H W: for lots of biographical infos (sorry, don´t know your name).

  • WHAT'S NEW:

    17/June/2010 - Page added to the blog.
    17/September/2003 - Original page written by me (in the old site).

    RELATED MUSICIANS:

    Billy Law mostly worked with these musicians: (name + number of credits)
    Ian Armit (3)
    Long John Baldry (3)
    Cliff Barton (3)
    Colin Bates (3)
    Geoff Bradford (3)
    Mick Gilligan (3)
    Johnny Barton (2)
    Andy Cooper (2)
    Alan Elsdon (2)
    Barry Martyn (2)

    Page created by Miguel Terol on: 17/September/2003 - Last modified on: 17/June/2010. If you want to contribute with info, please write to: molympus1@gmail.com

    Please, note than you can check the indexes (musicians, bands, obituaries) at the top of this page.

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