He started collaborating in college with Bob Rodgers, and their first professional musical comedy revue, a Cabaret Concert Show, was staged in 1956 in Los Angeles.
He has composed comedic and topical songs for many of show business's greatest personalities including Lucille Ball, Bette Davis and Angela Lansbury.
[1] Barnes had a recurring acting role on the television series Mad About You in the 1990s as "Mr. Edlin", the musical director and pianist of a community theatre.
Barnes married actress Joyce Jameson in the 1950s, and the couple had one child together, son Tyler, before their divorce.
Palms Hospital's "Billy Barnes Extended Care Unit" in Long Beach, California.