Born in a Dance Hall, some say "born to a life of depravity", a comment which he
lived up to Billy was introduced to music at an early age by his father
"Bunny" Allardyce, who was a professional drummer with a Jazz Band.
As a youngster he was accustomed to his father's band members coming
to the house after "gigs" and sitting up all night playing 78rpm. records.
The young 3 year old was always taken through to sit with the adults and
listen to the music and their conversations about the various performers.
Performers like Fats Waller, Bessie Smith, Billie Holliday, Louis Jordan amongst others.
As an 8 year old Billy "sat in" with his fathers Jazz Band in the local jazz club
the "Abergeldie", his first stage appearance and he was "bitten by the bug".
Growing up, Billy spent 2 hours per night listening to music and being shown beats
and rhythm patterns by his father as well as carrying out his homework for school.
Although he passed his exams with flying colours Billy's heart and mind
were always on his music, he carried a pair of drumsticks everywhere he went.
Everywhere he walked you could hear him before you saw him, beating out
triplets, paradiddles, drags, flams and closed and open rolls on walls and fences
anything that didn't move was fair game to be beat upon.
In the early years his music centred around jazz and swing this was the early '50.s
remember, prior to the advent of Rock'n'Roll.
Billy made friends with an older guy who lived beside him and who played records
beside his open window when he was at home, performers that Billy had never heard before.
The neighbour was working on a Transatlantic Liner and bringing home records
he found in record shops in New York, mainly guitar blues.
The music had a real and lasting influence on Billy and his outlook on music,
from that moment on it was Blues, Blues and more Blues.
The neighbour's homecomings were awaited eagerly to discover what treasures
he'd brought home this time. Everything was soaked up eagerly, listened to,
digested and learned then filed away in Billy's head for future reference.
So began a love for the Blues that is still evident in Billy today 50 years later.
Written by Peter Innes Rock 'n' Reel Magazine