Growing up in
Southern West Virginia in the 40's and early 50's
provided a rich musical background for young Bill
Kennedy. Whether it was the local gospel groups or
country bands, big band music, the popular singers
of the day or the R&B sounds coming from WLAC
in Nashville, Kenneday absorbed it all. However, it was the foot
tapping sounds of the Chicago R&B artists such
as Little Walter, Jimmy Reed and Lightning Hopkins
that influenced him the most. Moving to Columbus,
Ohio in the 50's, Kennedy played with several local
bands and met every Rockabilly performer that came
through on tour. "My favorites were Buddy Holly and
Carl Perkins. They were really nice guys to talk
to, down to earth and having fun," says
kennedy. It was in the Air Force in
Germany that Kennedy found his feet as a performer.
He formed a band called the Klicks that toured the
Armed Forces clubs, played many local functions and
opened for several big name acts that toured with
the USO shows such as Johnny Cash and The DeCastro
Sisters. "We were in great demand, says Kennedy. In
fact, we were the only American all rock & roll
band playing at that time. The others were country
bands with a little rock thrown in." Rotating back to the
states in the early 60's, Kennedy formed the first
of two bands in Plattsburgh, New York while
stationed there. it was there that his band, "The
Twiliters" recorded three singles. The first was
"Rollerand" backed with "Shaken All Over", Empire
Records E-4 in late 1962. Rollerland was written by
Vermont native Steven Blodgett and was about a
large roller rink in Plattsburgh, NY that regularly
held dances and featured big name acts of of the
day. "Shaken All Over" was originally recorded by
Johnny Kidd & The Pirates in England. Kennedy
had heard the song while in Germany, brought the
single to the states and got approval to record it.
It was the first north American recording of that
song which later made the Canadian group the "Guess
Who" famous. It has also since been recorded by the
Who and others. The unique thing about
this record was that it was recorded totally "live"
during a dance at Rollerland, both sides in one
take, mistakes and all. The second record, "The
Girl From Liverpool" backed with "Move It" was
released on Empire Records E-6 in 1963. Kennedy
wrote "Liverpool" while "Move It" was another
English hit that Kennedy wanted to record. It was
British rocker Cliff Richard's first hit
record. The third record was
released on Venture Records "V-1000A which was
Kennedy's own label. Side A was "Mary Lou" which
was a minor hit for Canadian rocker Ronnie Hawkins.
The flip side "Billy "Billy" was from another
Canadian band called the Beau-Marks. All three records were
released in New York, New Jersey and the New
England States. Kennedy toured until 1972 with his
last band called A.C. Apple. Today he lives in the
Albany New York area and plays whenever
asked. Personnel: Influences: Setlist
Sample: Equipment:
Rehearsal
Space: Band
Vehicles: Fashion
Statement: Best
Gig: Gig
from
Hell!: Last
Gig:
Information contributed by Bill Kennedy bill0666@aol.com
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