Larry Williams

Lawrence Eugene Williams (May 10, 1935 – January 7, 1980)[1] was an American rhythm and blues and rock and roll singer, songwriter, and pianist from New Orleans.

He was a longtime friend of Little Richard, with whom his life intertwined personally and professionally from their meeting in 1955 to Williams' death in 1980.

Williams returned to New Orleans in 1954 and began working for his cousin, singer Lloyd Price, as a valet.

Using the same raw, shouting vocals and piano-driven intensity, Williams scored with a number of hit singles.

"Heebie Jeebies" was recorded with band members such as Plas Johnson on tenor saxophone and Jewel Grant on baritone, René Hall and Howard Roberts on guitars, Gerald Wilson on trumpet, Ernie Freeman or Williams himself on piano, and Earl Palmer on drums.

[12] On January 7, 1980, Williams' body was found by his mother at his home in Los Angeles, California from a gunshot wound to the head.

An Illinois drummer and blues singer named Martin Albritton claimed to be Larry Williams, alive and well.

[13] Albritton toured the country performing under the moniker of "Big" Larry Williams, and claimed that he recorded the hits "Bony Moronie" and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy."

He recorded an album in 1990 called Street Party with the Mellow Fellows, previously headed by Big Twist (né Lawrence Millard Nolan; 1937–1990).

[13] While touring with the Mellow Fellows in Chicago, Allbritton was confronted by singer Etta James, who knew the real Williams.

Several of Williams' songs achieved success as revivals, by the Beatles ("Bad Boy", "Slow Down", and "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy"), The Rolling Stones ("She Said Yeah") and John Lennon ("Bony Moronie" and "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy").