Billy "The Kid" Emerson (born William Robert Emerson in Tarpon Springs, FLA… Read Full Bio ↴Billy "The Kid" Emerson (born William Robert Emerson in Tarpon Springs, FLA, on 21 December 1925; died 26 April 2023), known more recently as Rev. William R. Emerson was an African-American R&B and rock and roll singer and songwriter, best known for his 1955 song, "Red Hot". Emerson began recording after joining Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm in the early 1950s. He recorded for various labels, including Sun, Chess, and Vee-Jay before forming his own, Tarpon Records, where he recorded Denise LaSalle and Matt "Guitar" Murphy. He has worked with blues musicians, such as Earl Hooker, Lonnie Brooks, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and Robert Knighthawk.
Growing up in Florida, Emerson learned the piano, playing in various local bands. In 1943, he joined the United States Navy, and after World War II he began playing around Tarpon Springs, and following a spell in one group, dressed as outlaws, he picked up the nickname, "Billy The Kid". He joined the United States Air Force in 1952, and on his discharge met up in Memphis with bandleader Ike Turner, who recruited him into his Kings of Rhythm. In 1954 he released his first record on the Sun label, "No Teasing Around", following which he left Turner's band and joined a group led by Phineas Newborn. He stayed with Sun as a songwriter, writing and recording "When It Rains It Really Pours", later recorded by Elvis Presley, and "Red Hot", which later became a hit for both Billy Lee Riley and Bob Luman but was not a commercial success for Emerson.
In late 1955 Emerson joined Vee-Jay Records in Chicago, making records such as "Every Woman I Know (Crazy 'Bout Automobiles)", released a year later but with little commercial success, and soon afterwards moved to Chess Records. However, he continued to have more success as a songwriter, writing for Junior Wells, Willie Mabon, Wynonie Harris and Buddy Guy during the early 1960s, often in conjunction with Willie Dixon.
After recording for several smaller labels, he formed his own Tarpon Records in 1966, releasing Denise LaSalle's debut single as well as his own records. He continued to play in clubs and on European blues tours.
In the late 1970s, Emerson decided to dedicate himself to his religion and composed gospel music.
Emerson was inducted in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Emerson received the 2017 Florida Folk Heritage Award at the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum for his contributions as a songwriter, performer, and producer.
A compilation album, Red Hot: The Sun Years, was released by Bear Family Records in 2009.
Growing up in Florida, Emerson learned the piano, playing in various local bands. In 1943, he joined the United States Navy, and after World War II he began playing around Tarpon Springs, and following a spell in one group, dressed as outlaws, he picked up the nickname, "Billy The Kid". He joined the United States Air Force in 1952, and on his discharge met up in Memphis with bandleader Ike Turner, who recruited him into his Kings of Rhythm. In 1954 he released his first record on the Sun label, "No Teasing Around", following which he left Turner's band and joined a group led by Phineas Newborn. He stayed with Sun as a songwriter, writing and recording "When It Rains It Really Pours", later recorded by Elvis Presley, and "Red Hot", which later became a hit for both Billy Lee Riley and Bob Luman but was not a commercial success for Emerson.
In late 1955 Emerson joined Vee-Jay Records in Chicago, making records such as "Every Woman I Know (Crazy 'Bout Automobiles)", released a year later but with little commercial success, and soon afterwards moved to Chess Records. However, he continued to have more success as a songwriter, writing for Junior Wells, Willie Mabon, Wynonie Harris and Buddy Guy during the early 1960s, often in conjunction with Willie Dixon.
After recording for several smaller labels, he formed his own Tarpon Records in 1966, releasing Denise LaSalle's debut single as well as his own records. He continued to play in clubs and on European blues tours.
In the late 1970s, Emerson decided to dedicate himself to his religion and composed gospel music.
Emerson was inducted in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Emerson received the 2017 Florida Folk Heritage Award at the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum for his contributions as a songwriter, performer, and producer.
A compilation album, Red Hot: The Sun Years, was released by Bear Family Records in 2009.
If You Won't Stay Home
Billy "The Kid" Emerson Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Billy "The Kid" Emerson:
Red Hot My gal is red hot Your gal ain't doodly squat Yeah, my…
You Never Miss the Water My gal is red hot (Your gal ain't doodly-squat) Yeah, my g…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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