Billy Lee Riley, born on October 5, 1933 in Pocahontas, Arkansas, was an American rock singer whose early life was rooted in the regional music scene of the South. He began performing in local clubs during his teenage years. Riley’s recording career accelerated in the mid‑1960s, when he released the album Funk Harmonica in 1965 and followed it with Billy Lee Riley In Action!!!! in 1966, both of which showcased his energetic blend of rock and blues. His first national single, "I Got A Thing About You Baby," surfaced in the early 1970s. Over the next decade he continued to record, issuing titles such as Hot Damn and Shade Tree Blues in 1999. In 2003 he released Hillbilly Rockin' Man, a collection that reflected his roots in country‑influenced rock. His catalog expanded with compilations that highlighted his work, including Red Hot: The Very Best of Billy Lee Riley and Rock 'N' Roll Legend: Billy Lee Riley. Riley toured extensively across the United States, often sharing stages with contemporaries from the early rock era. He died of bone cancer on August 2, 2009, in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
