William C. Hancock Jr. (November 4, 1946 – January 22, 2018)[1] was an American singer, guitarist, bassist and multi-instrumental recording artist.
He performed live primarily in the Washington, D.C., area, but also played regularly at European roots music festivals.
His maternal grandmother Katie sang with Minstrel shows in black face accompanying herself on piano and harmonica.
Two of his aunts Eileen and Anita were a singing duo in the 1940s who sang at two or three Washington DC radios stations on a regular basis.
The records his mother brought home from work, primarily rhythm and blues from the late 1940s, played a large and influential role in his musical development.
After graduating from high school, he played with bands in Rhode Island and New York before returning to the Washington area.
Throughout his career, Hancock played in backing bands for prominent musicians, including Fats Domino, Gene Vincent, blues guitarist Roy Buchanan, rockabilly Charlie Feathers, the Clovers, Amos Milburn, and country musicians Dottie West and Jean Shepard.
Turkey Mountain Records' roster of artists included: Danny Gatton, The British Walkers (featuring Roy Buchanan), Bobbie (The Kid) Howard with Link Wray and The Ray Men, Charlie Feathers, The Fallen Angels, and Billy Hancock himself.