Billy Myles
Encyclopedia
William Myles Nobles known as Billy Myles, was an American R&B songwriter active in the 1950s and 1960s. He is best known for "(You Were Made for) All My Love" recorded by Jackie Wilson
(1960), and "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" recorded by Freddie King
(1960), then Eric Clapton
(1970).
style) and 'Uptown Blues' songs, occasionally co-writing with vocalists such as Jackie Wilson
and Brook Benton
. Artists who recorded his songs include Wilson, Benton, Little Willie John
, Freddie King
and Gladys Knight
. He has over 1170 works registered with the collecting society BMI
.
Billy Myles recorded singles for labels Ember
, Dot
and King
, a few made history. "The Joker (That's What They Call Me)
" charted in the U.S. and Canada (US Pop #25, R&B #13) in 1957. He was working as a staff songwriter for Al Silver's New York City-based Herald/Ember labels, Silver thought the song wasn't suitable for doo-wop act The Mello-Kings
and issued Myles' own recording. The success of the single led to Myles appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1958 (alongside Buddy Holly
), and the 1959 UK film Swing Beat with labelmates The Mello-Kings
and The Five Satins
.
Blues guitar maestro Freddie King
recorded Myles "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" in 1960, and King aficionado Eric Clapton
covered
the track on Derek and the Dominoes' album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
(1970). This album is highly regarded in Clapton's catalogue and classic rock
in general, with Myles' song, like the title song "Layla
", having a biographical resonance with Clapton's unrequited love for Patti Harrison.
Billy Myles lived in Greenville, North Carolina
and managed his music publishing company Selbonn Music Inc. ('Nobles' spelled backwards) until his death in October 2005.
The music publishing is now managed by his son Steven Myles Nobles. www.selbon.com
Jackie Wilson
Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. was an American singer and performer. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was known as a master showman, and as one of the most dynamic singers and performers in R&B and rock history...
(1960), and "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" recorded by Freddie King
Freddie King
Freddie King , thought to have been born as Frederick Christian, originally recording as Freddy King, and nicknamed "the Texas Cannonball", was an influential African-American blues guitarist and singer. He is often mentioned as one of "the Three Kings" of electric blues guitar, along with Albert...
(1960), then Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
(1970).
History
Billy Myles specialised in love ballads (sometimes in the doo-wopDoo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
style) and 'Uptown Blues' songs, occasionally co-writing with vocalists such as Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson
Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. was an American singer and performer. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was known as a master showman, and as one of the most dynamic singers and performers in R&B and rock history...
and Brook Benton
Brook Benton
Brook Benton was an American singer and songwriter who was popular with rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and pop music audiences during the late 1950s and early 1960s, when he scored hits such as "It's Just A Matter Of Time" and "Endlessly", many of which he co-wrote.He made a comeback in 1970...
. Artists who recorded his songs include Wilson, Benton, Little Willie John
Little Willie John
William Edward John was better known by his stage name Little Willie John. Many sources erroneously give his second name as Edgar...
, Freddie King
Freddie King
Freddie King , thought to have been born as Frederick Christian, originally recording as Freddy King, and nicknamed "the Texas Cannonball", was an influential African-American blues guitarist and singer. He is often mentioned as one of "the Three Kings" of electric blues guitar, along with Albert...
and Gladys Knight
Gladys Knight
Gladys Maria Knight , known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author...
. He has over 1170 works registered with the collecting society BMI
Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
.
Billy Myles recorded singles for labels Ember
Herald Records
Herald Records was an American record label of the 1950s and 1960s. Specialising in the vocal group sound, its biggest hit was "Stay" by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs....
, Dot
Dot Records
Dot Records was an American record label and company that was active between 1950 and 1977. It was founded by Randy Wood. In Gallatin, Tennessee, Wood had earlier started a mail order record shop, known for its radio ads on WLAC in Nashville and its R&B air personality Bill "Hoss" Allen...
and King
King Records (USA)
King Records is an American record label, started in 1943 by Syd Nathan and originally headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.-History:At first it specialized in country music, at the time still known as "hillbilly music." King advertised, "If it's a King, It's a Hillbilly -- If it's a Hillbilly, it's a...
, a few made history. "The Joker (That's What They Call Me)
The Joker (That's What They Call Me)
"The Joker " is a song written by Billy Myles. It was a hit on the rhythm and blues and Canadian charts in 1957. It was famously sung by Oliver Hazell who is described to have given performances with extreme jocosity....
" charted in the U.S. and Canada (US Pop #25, R&B #13) in 1957. He was working as a staff songwriter for Al Silver's New York City-based Herald/Ember labels, Silver thought the song wasn't suitable for doo-wop act The Mello-Kings
The Mello-Kings
The Mello-Kings were a doo-wop group who became popular in the late 1950s.Despite the fact that their only hit, "Tonite Tonite" , never climbed higher than number 77 in the US charts, the single is still considered one of the most popular group harmony recordings of the era, more than three decades...
and issued Myles' own recording. The success of the single led to Myles appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1958 (alongside Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly
Charles Hardin Holley , known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll...
), and the 1959 UK film Swing Beat with labelmates The Mello-Kings
The Mello-Kings
The Mello-Kings were a doo-wop group who became popular in the late 1950s.Despite the fact that their only hit, "Tonite Tonite" , never climbed higher than number 77 in the US charts, the single is still considered one of the most popular group harmony recordings of the era, more than three decades...
and The Five Satins
The Five Satins
The Five Satins are an American doo-wop group, best known for their 1956 million-selling song, "In the Still of the Night."-Career:The group, formed in New Haven, Connecticut, consisted of leader Fred Parris, Lou Peebles, Stanley Dortch, Ed Martin and Jim Freeman in 1954. With little success, the...
.
Blues guitar maestro Freddie King
Freddie King
Freddie King , thought to have been born as Frederick Christian, originally recording as Freddy King, and nicknamed "the Texas Cannonball", was an influential African-American blues guitarist and singer. He is often mentioned as one of "the Three Kings" of electric blues guitar, along with Albert...
recorded Myles "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" in 1960, and King aficionado Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
the track on Derek and the Dominoes' album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is a blues-rock album by Derek and the Dominos, released in November 1970, best known for its eponymous title track, "Layla"...
(1970). This album is highly regarded in Clapton's catalogue and classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
in general, with Myles' song, like the title song "Layla
Layla
"Layla" is a song written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon, originally released by their blues-rock band, Derek and the Dominos, as the thirteenth track from their album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs...
", having a biographical resonance with Clapton's unrequited love for Patti Harrison.
Billy Myles lived in Greenville, North Carolina
Greenville, North Carolina
Greenville is the county seat of Pitt County and principal city of the Greenville, North Carolina metropolitan area. Greenville is the health, entertainment, and educational hub of North Carolina's Tidewater and Coastal Plain and in 2008 was listed as the Tenth Largest City in North Carolina...
and managed his music publishing company Selbonn Music Inc. ('Nobles' spelled backwards) until his death in October 2005.
The music publishing is now managed by his son Steven Myles Nobles. www.selbon.com
Selective discography of Myles' compositions
- 1957 "Tonight Tonight" - The Mello-KingsThe Mello-KingsThe Mello-Kings were a doo-wop group who became popular in the late 1950s.Despite the fact that their only hit, "Tonite Tonite" , never climbed higher than number 77 in the US charts, the single is still considered one of the most popular group harmony recordings of the era, more than three decades...
(US Pop #77) - later covered by DionDion DiMucciDion Francis DiMucci , better known as Dion, is an American singer-songwriter whose work has incorporated elements of doo-wop, pop oldies music, rock and R&B styles....
, Timmy ThomasTimmy ThomasTimmy Thomas is an American R&B singer, keyboardist, songwriter and record producer, best known for the hit song, "Why Can't We Live Together".-Career:...
, The TokensThe TokensThe Tokens are an American male doo-wop-style vocal group from Brooklyn, New York. They are known best for their chart-scoring 1961 single, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" .-Career:...
, The Four SeasonsThe Four Seasons (group)The Four Seasons are an American rock and pop band who became internationally successful in the mid-1960s. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame has stated that the group was the most popular rock band before The Beatles... - 1957 "The Joker (That's What They Call Me)The Joker (That's What They Call Me)"The Joker " is a song written by Billy Myles. It was a hit on the rhythm and blues and Canadian charts in 1957. It was famously sung by Oliver Hazell who is described to have given performances with extreme jocosity....
"/"Honey Bee" - Billy Myles - (US Pop #25, R&B #13)- cover by The Hilltoppers (U.S. Pop #22) - 1958 "King of Clowns"/"So In Need of You" - Billy Myles
- "Price Of Your Love"/"I’m Gonna Walk" - Billy Myles
- 1959 "Chapel of Dreams" - The Dubs (US Pop #74)
- 1960 "(You Were Made for) All My Love" - Jackie WilsonJackie WilsonJack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. was an American singer and performer. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was known as a master showman, and as one of the most dynamic singers and performers in R&B and rock history...
(US Pop #12) BMI award-winning song - 1960 "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" - Freddie KingFreddie KingFreddie King , thought to have been born as Frederick Christian, originally recording as Freddy King, and nicknamed "the Texas Cannonball", was an influential African-American blues guitarist and singer. He is often mentioned as one of "the Three Kings" of electric blues guitar, along with Albert...
- later covered by Derek and the Dominoes, Eric ClaptonEric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
, Little MiltonLittle MiltonJames Milton Campbell, Jr. , better known as Little Milton, was an American electric blues, rhythm and blues, and soul singer and guitarist, best known for his hit records "Grits Ain't Groceries" and "We're Gonna Make It."-Biography:Milton was born James Milton Campbell, Jr., in the Mississippi...
, Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely... - "I Love That Woman" - Freddie King
- 1961 "Your One and Only Love" - Jackie Wilson (US Pop #40)
- 1961 "The Greatest Hurt"/"There'll Be No Next Time" - Jackie Wilson (US Pop #34)
- "My Love Is" - Little Willie JohnLittle Willie JohnWilliam Edward John was better known by his stage name Little Willie John. Many sources erroneously give his second name as Edgar...
- later covered by Diana KrallDiana KrallDiana Jean Krall, OC, OBC is a Canadian jazz pianist and singer, known for her contralto vocals. She has sold more than 6 million albums in the US and over 15 million worldwide; altogether, she has sold more albums than any other female jazz artist during the 1990s and 2000s...
, Holly GolightlyHolly GolightlyHolly Golightly is a British singer-songwriter. Her mother christened her after the protagonist in Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's. Her musical style ranges from garage rock to R&B.-Musical career:... - 1962 "Careless Hands" - Baby Washington
- "Let's Go Again (Where We Went Last Night)" - Hank BallardHank BallardHank Ballard , born John Henry Kendricks, was a rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, the lead vocalist of Hank Ballard and The Midnighters and one of the first proto-rock 'n' roll artists to emerge in the early 1950s...
And The Midnighters - "The Hoochi Coochi Coo" - Hank Ballard And The Midnighters
- "If Ever I Should Fall in Love" - Gladys Knight and the Pips
- "Bye Bye Baby" - Johnny CopelandJohnny CopelandJohnny Copeland was an American Texas blues guitarist and singer.-Career:Born in Haynesville, Louisiana, United States, while Copeland was becoming interested in music, he also pursued boxing, mostly as an avocation, and it is from his days as a boxer that he got his nickname "Clyde." Also as a...
- "I Won't Cry Anymore" - Big MaybelleBig MaybelleMabel Louise Smith , known professionally as Big Maybelle, was an American R&B singer and pianist. Her 1956 hit single "Candy" received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999.-Biography:...
- "Tell Me Who" - Big Maybelle
- "Love, Oh Love" - Mongo SantamaríaMongo SantamaríaRamón "Mongo" Santamaría Rodríguez was an Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist. He is most famous for being the composer of the jazz standard "Afro Blue," recorded by John Coltrane among others. In 1950 he moved to New York where he played with Perez Prado, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, Fania All...
- "No Love (But Your Love)" - Johnny MathisJohnny MathisJohn Royce "Johnny" Mathis is an American singer of popular music. Starting his career with singles of standards, he became highly popular as an album artist, with several dozen of his albums achieving gold or platinum status, and 73 making the Billboard charts...
- "Nobody But Me" - Lou RawlsLou RawlsLouis Allen "Lou" Rawls was an American soul, jazz, and blues singer. He was known for his smooth vocal style: Frank Sinatra once said that Rawls had "the classiest singing and silkiest chops in the singing game"...
- "Your Love Alone" - Brook BentonBrook BentonBrook Benton was an American singer and songwriter who was popular with rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and pop music audiences during the late 1950s and early 1960s, when he scored hits such as "It's Just A Matter Of Time" and "Endlessly", many of which he co-wrote.He made a comeback in 1970...