Williams was born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1911, and by 1918 had moved with his family to Los Angeles.

While performing at gigs, he came up with the idea of recording other artists.

[3] In 1954, he recorded a local group called The Penguins, who would have a huge hit with "Earth Angel".

[4] Williams saw the comedian perform at the Brass Rail, a local Los Angeles nightclub, and signed Foxx to a recording contract.

Laff of the Party, the first of many albums that Foxx recorded for Williams, became a cult favorite and helped establish him as a national star.