Billy May – A Special Trip Down Memory Lane

In earlier Memory Lane posts I mentioned a certain, brilliant entertainer who graced us with his presence in so many venues. Those who visited pubs and clubs in the 80’s and 90’s will no doubt have heard of Billy May. What an entertainer and what a singer. I did mention I would write a separate post about the mercurial Billy.

However, I am writing this Billy May post with a heavy heart as I have just discovered that sadly Billy died on 6th December. My heartfelt condolences to his close friends and family. Such sad news.

As I am writing this I am taking a few moments quietly recollecting some of the epic Billy May nights that were so special to so many. Let’s have a good trip down Memory Lane in memory of the fantastic Billy May.

Billy May – Thanks A Million

Before we were all entertained by Billy in our Chester pubs, he had already embarked on a successful music career in the early 60’s. He was a member of Merseyside band, The Pathfinders.

The Pathfinders originated in the Wirral area of Merseyside around about 1960. They recorded two singles released by Decca and EMI in 1964 and 1965 respectively. Music was clearly in his blood. And he was so passionate about his music. That much we all knew as it was clearly obvious he loved doing what he did.

You can find out more about The Pathfinders HERE.

Billy May Thanks For The Memories

You know when you were younger there were certain nights out you never wanted to miss. For some it may have been a darts match. Or a pool match. Maybe a quiz night. Whatever it was, as I say, there were certain nights that you did your utmost not to miss out on.

Billy May nights came into that bracket. Nobody wanted to miss a night watching Billy perform. Wherever that happened to be in the Chester and North Wales area. He did, of course, play his native Merseyside as well. In fact I remember getting mini buses up to go and watch him on a Saturday night in Sam’s Bar in Tithebarn Street in Liverpool.

I also saw him play in a bar (can’t remember the name-it’s changed names since) in Derby Square, across from The Liverpool in James Street.

But the most memories are well and truly stored in the memory banks from his appearances in and around Chester.

Where Did He Play?

The list is quite extensive really. Towards the end of his pub appearances in Chester, Billy used to play regularly in The Ship Victory in George Street. I have already written about The Ship Victory. That was a great pub, sadly no longer with us. The venue was perfect in terms of the layout of the pub and for the regulars who frequented the pub. Always a great atmosphere and always yet another classic performance by Billy.

Over the many years though Billy also played in pubs in North Wales like The White Bear (Mancot); The Spinning Wheel (The Warren, Broughton); The Grandstand (Drury); The Crown and Liver (Ewloe); Offas Dyke (Broughton); The Saltney Ferry; The Anchor (Saltney).

Wherever he played he had a great following. On many occasions we used to hire mini buses and travel from Chester to go and watch him perform in these North Wales pubs. And in Liverpool as well.

My particular favourite Billy May venue was in Chester though. It was the Golden Eagle in Castle Street. The Billy May nights in there were unbelievable. On occasions Billy brought his drummer along, Rod (aka Dyno Rod!!), as the Eagle had a raised floor to the right when you walked in where there was more room for Billy.

Billy May – I Am The Music Man

Billy was a truly talented performer. Invariably a Billy performance would not involve any particular script as such. What I mean by that is that more often than not Billy would ask the masses what they wanted to hear. From that request came a wide variety of suggestions. Billy, more often than not, obliged.

However, it did get to the stage that many of the songs Billy performed became his regular numbers. Songs like Far Canal; Grandma’s Feather Bed; Wired For Sound; In My Liverpool Home; I Am The Music Man; so many Beatles number too many to list and his all time classic rendition of Purple Haze originally recorded by Jimi Hendrix.

Purple Haze was a particular favourite with everyone as Billy always improvised and played part of the song with his guitar behind his back. That in itself became his trademark song to many. But there again, so did I Am The Music Man and Far Canal.

Billy was a character as well. His enthusiasm was so infectious. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone laugh and smile so much. Just look at his photo above. Grinning away like he always seemed to be doing. And he was so appreciative of his audience. Who can forget his genuine, warm-hearted thanks to his fans of recognising them all as “Superrrbbbb”.

Hearing him say “Superrrbbbb” was almost as synonymous as the great music he played.

Thanks For The Memories Billy

Yes indeed a sad post for obvious reasons but also a happy trip down Memory Lane in remembering a truly fantastic, talented artist and a truly top bloke as well.

I’m sure I speak for so many of your fans from The Golden Eagle, The Ship Victory and so many other venues when I say thanks for the memories.

And I’m also sure that you’re up there now wowing new audiences who will be so appreciative of your talents and yelling back to you…..”Superrrbbbb!!”

RIP Billy

Here’s a short video (the only one I could find on YouTube – anyone have any more links) of Billy in action in Oxton:

Chester Memory Lane

Another addition to my Memory Lane category. A sad one and a happy trip down Memory Lane as well. To see all of my other Memory Lane posts – have a look over HERE.

Chester Lifestyle Blog Posts

There are a variety of other blog posts for you to read on my website. To see all my blog posts, head on over to HERE.

Famous People From Chester

Although from The Wirral and not from Chester, I think it’s appropriate to include Billy on my famous people from Chester page as an honorary addition. For all the entertainment and pleasure he provided to the people of Chester makes him a worthy honorary addition in my book.

You can see Billy on my Famous People From Chester page HERE.

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