William “Billy” E. Strange

Grammy nominee and Musician Hall of Fame guitarist, Billy Strange had a long career as a writer, arranger, conductor, producer, publisher, and performer. You’ve heard him play guitar on such great songs as Elvis Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas” and Nancy Sinatra’s “Bang Bang” in the movie “Kill Bill II” as well as hundreds of songs, TV show theme songs, and movies including two”James Bond” films. Billy, originally from southern California, has played and written with many of the great artists including: Elvis Presley, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Nat King Cole, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Jerry Lee Lewis just to name a few. While Billy was involved in many things, his life revolved around music. He started as a regular on live television shows in the fifties with The Sons Of The Pioneers, Roy Rogers, Spade Cooley and Tennessee Ernie Ford among others. His first big hit in the early sixties as a writer was “Limbo Rock” with The Champs and then again with Chubby Checker. Billy had a close relationship with the Sinatra’s; he worked with Nancy Sinatra often, this leading to one of the most recognizable arrangements in music history for “These Boots Are Made For Walking”. The association with Nancy put him forever into the good graces of her father Frank Sinatra, and Billy’s arrangement of the father/daughter duet “Something Stupid”, gave Frank his first million selling single record. He moved to Nashville in 1976 to open and run a publishing firm for Frank & Nancy Sinatra. Billy lived in Franklin, TN for the last 35 years. He also co-wrote “A Little Less Conversation” which became a worldwide number one hit and “Memories” for Elvis Presley with Mac Davis. William Strange, a music legend, passed away February 22, 2012 at age 81 in the early hours of the morning at Williamson Medical Center. He is survived by: His loving wife Jeanne Strange of Franklin; Two sons: Jerry Strange of Nashville who beamed with pride as he spoke of his father and Rusty Strange of Nashville; Two daughters: Kelly Tomlin of Dickson and Mary “Micah” King Strange; One granddaughter: Bailey Tomlin; and three grandsons: Cody Tomlin, Colton Tomlin and Justin Strange. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cremationsocietyoftn.com *Information Obtained with permission from:
Billy Strange Music. Jeanne Black.