The Bottom and the Beat: Part Two: Merseyside
In our continuing story, we go to the Merseyside. Here we find Billy Fury, born Ronald Wycherley, in Liverpool. He had his own skiffle group by 1955. Skiffle, which had started in Louisville, Kentucky around 1905 became mania in England by 1955.
While his style isn’t as furious as the name might imply, “the beat” can be heard in songs like Since You’ve Been Gone, Colette, Letter Full of Tears, and in the ballad Because of Love an Elvis like style is evoked. These songs are on the album The Best of Billy Fury.
In 1958, Wycherley saw a performance by Marty Wilde and offered his own compositions to him. Instead, Wycherley was booked by Larry Parnes. As his agent, Parnes dubbed him Billy Fury. Fury was such a good rocker that Eddie Cochran thought he should tour the U.S. But Cochran died in a car wreck before he planned Fury’s tour.
For More Information:
http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-famous-bands-from-merseyside
http://www.answers.com/topic/billy-fury
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9105715/skiffle
Hear Billy Fury: