Thank you for visiting PaulHucklebuckWilliams.com! We welcome your comments about Mr. Williams and his music.
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Guest comments — 39 Comments
Your Grandfather, Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams, was an extraordinary musician. He was (and still is, in my opinion) one of the best early pioneers of Rock & Roll.”
A BIG THANK YOU to DJ host Jessie Miner for featuring the musical story of Paul Hucklebuck Williams on his podcast #092 Hey Mister Jessie http://www.yehoodi.com/show/heymisterjesse?episode=92
As the bandleader for the Apollo Theater and Atlantic Records houseband, Paul played behind the big recording artists of the day. Many great musicians were members of his band like saxophonist Noble ‘Thin Man’ Watts. His music Paul Williams The Complete Recordings Volumes 1-3 can be purchased from his website http://paulhucklebuckwilliams.com/
A BIG THANK YOU to Matt Baldassari aka “Matt the Cat” http://www.mattthecat.com/ for finding out: “Interesting, Paul Williams played on a Ruth Brown session on Dec 16, 1953. It was Williams only session for Atlantic that year. Then on Aug 11, 1954, Paul Williams whole band backed Ruth Brown on a session that included the great “Mambo Baby.” ”
Matt the Cat is the radio host of Juke In The Back http://www.jukeintheback.org
The Paul Williams band was the houseband for Atlantic Records and the Apollo Theater. Ruth Brown recorded for the Atlantic Records label and performed at the Apollo Theater.
A BIG THANK YOU to Frederick Martins radio host of the Black n’ Blues Bar on http://www.radioestacaoweb.com/ in Brazil. Mr. Martins produced a radio show featuring the musical story of Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams in May 2013 in Portuguese and English.
The music of Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams is available online in a three volume CD set entitled Paul Williams The Complete Recordings Volume 1 1947-1949, Paul Williams The Complete Recordings Volume 2 1949-1952, Paul Williams The Complete Recordings Volume 3 1952-1956; as well as two digital recordings: Paul Williams The Very Best Of, and, Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams The Rock n’ Roll Years. The Complete Recordings CDs contain liner notes about Paul and the music he wrote and recorded.
It is with much gratitude to Mr. Martins for dedicating the program to the memory of Paul’s son and former Paul Williams Band drummer Earl Williams. Earl Williams passed away in January 2013.
paulhucklebuckwilliams.com is awesome buddy !
paulhucklebuckwilliams.com owner you are an awesome writer
Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams was born on July 13th. The world was given GREAT music to enjoy.
PAUL “HUCKLEBUCK” WILLIAMS’ music played over loud speakers at the Paradise Valley Music Festival in Detroit Michigan July 13 -15, 2012 http://detroitparadisevalleymusicfestival.com/
Paul played a great role in creating the music of the Paradise Valley.
Thank you Planet D Nonet band for paying tribute to Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams by recording his songs ‘Hoppin John’ and ‘Canadian Ace’. The song Hoppin John is on the CD Blowin Away The Blues Vol. 1 and Canadian Ace is on Blowin Away The Blues Vol. 2
It is bands like yours that keep his music and legacy alive.
The Paul Williams Band members in the “ShowTime At The Apollo” films are:
Steve Cooper – Bass, Freddie Johnson – Piano, Jimmy Brown – Trumpet, Eddie Silvers – Tenor Sax, Belton Evans – Drums, Freddie Johnson – Piano, Floyd Taylor – Piano. Floyd Taylor was Paul’s cousin. Eddie Silvers sits to Paul’s left on the bandstand and has the sax solos in a few of the films such as Big Joe Turner’s ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’. Paul has a baritone sax solo on ‘Larry Darnell’s Don’t Go’.
Has anyone identified all the personnel in Paul’s band in the “Show Time At The Apollo” films?
Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams recorded for at least ten record labels throughout his career. A discography page is a great idea.
I wonder if anyone from the heritage of the Paul Williams band of 1957 is still around and could help solve the mystery of a recording that they made for Vee Jay featuring Bobby Parker…..The song was You got what it takes…..but who wrote it ? Although Bobby always claims that, Berry Gordy Jr
later put his name on it….Any help withthe truth??
This is a lovely website, a wonderful tribute to a great musician, who is probably not widely known, but who inspired and worked with so many others. I’m enjoying now exploring his works and story.
Do you have any plans to build a discography page on the site? I think that would be very welcome
Best wishes to all
LISTEN to the music of Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams, at his Youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/PaulHucklebuckWms
BUY his CDs and Downloads at the Purchase CDs & Vinyl page of this website.
Click on the Paul’s Youtube channel link above, to listen to the song Cranberries.
<3 grandpa (jimmy brown) is truley a amazing man! rest in peace granddaddy love your baby girl
Good evening, dear Lisa, a real pleasure to visit again Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams’ great tribute site. he still does sound amazingly brand new and extremely modern, a pioneer, an avant garde well ahead of his time. Many kind regards.
Two MP3 CDs (albums) have been released for your enjoyment: ‘Paul Williams The Very Best Of’ and ‘Paul Hucklebuck Williams The Rock ‘N’ Roll Years’. These digital download albums only contain song files with NO descriptive information about Paul Hucklebuck Williams or the songs he wrote/recorded. For more information about Paul, please see the various links on this website, or his YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/PaulHucklebuckWms.
Thank you Bobby for the information you put on Paul’s Facebook page about the time you spent in the band:
“Nowaday’s, People, Artist’s, And Music fans Don’t Have a clue about what ” Real Show ” Biz Was like In the 50’s / 60’s era, It was the ” Real deal ” I was In my Early 20’s When I Played on stage at the ” Apollo, In a 18 Peice Blues Rock Band, Of ” Paul HuckleBuck Williams” We also played House band at The ” Regal ” In Chicago, The Royal Theater In Baltimore, And The Howard Theater in DC,”
Paul “Mr. Hucklebuck” Williams is one of the unsung founding fathers of rock & roll music. Thank you so much to Lisa and Earl and the Williams family for all that you are doing to promote his important and pioneering musical legacy.
Thanks, Lisa, for going to http://fullmoonhacksaw.com to listen to archived blues radio, and to comment. I’ve been doing jazz radio for decades in Phoenix, most of them including blues. I LOVE your grandfather’s playing. Thanks to you I now know he played bari and alto sax. What a sound he set up for others to follow…
Heck of a job there, it absolutely helps me out.
Articels like this are an example of quick, helpful answers.
An article has been written about the musical life of Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams, by his son Earl Williams published in the August 2011 issue (#261) of the Blues and Rhythm magazine in Britain. http://www.bluesandrhythm.co.uk/.
There is an article written about the musical life of Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams, by his son Earl Williams which has been published in the August 2011 issue (#261) of the Blues and Rhythm magazine in Britain. http://www.bluesandrhythm.co.uk/.
Full of salient points. Don’t stop believing or writing!
My Daddy, “jimmy brown trumpeter” would be so happy to know how people are being touched by the music he helped to create right now 2011, over 50 years have gone and passed. I am 35 and share with anyone from my generation who will listen.
In today’s world, the media strives to find artists that have the “it” factor. Even if they don’t have “it”, they will try to create “it” through various audio and video effects. Often times their success is short lived and soon forgotten. Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams proves that his music is “it”, being as fresh today as it was over 60 years ago. I feel that his music was not forgotten but just overlooked a little. These videos solidify what “it” is all about. Just pure raw powerful music that grabs your soul and rejuvenates “it”. Paul’s music will live on through these videos and through his recordings that are available in today’s marketplace. In his day, Paul was “it” and he still has “it” today. So when the rarity of finding an artist that has “it” occurs today just remember that Paul Williams helped build the foundation of “it”. May his music live on and shake the souls of today’s world and beyond. Rock “It”, Man!
Huck was the Man! you did a great job on the site and Paul was so much about Black music, he led the way. My High School buddy was in those videos Belton Evans ,he taught me how to play drums and Paul taught me the music business. I didn’t do anything, without discussing it with Paul first. I had a booking agency, before I had the band, he was my mentor. I always tell the story of how he would cuss me out every night, on the bandstand, for not holding the groove. That’s the band I grew up in musically. I will never forget him and forever thankful he was a part my life. Thanks very much for sharing please stay in touch.
Hello Lisa,
I like your grandfather’s music,too. Over 30 years ago they played the HUCKLEBUCK on American Forces Radio in West-Berlin when there was less 1 minute left to the news.They made announcements about the recreation center, cinemas for american soldiers etc. over the song and faded it out. Because of that i had never the chance to listen to the whole song not to mention that I never found out who was the band.
They only played it once on Berlin Radio on a Jazz show called “Club 18” which I listened to on Saturday’s afternoon when I was at my grandmother’s flat in the late 70’s but her radio was very old and it took some time to warm up & find the radio station. So I was too late and heard only the name of the song and realized then that I knew the song before covered by others 🙂
Have a great weekend
Framat
I will continue to tell the world what a great man Paul Hucklebuck Williams was he taught me so much he took alot of us young bucks under his wing he was our stage dad some don’t believe because there is no documentation of us two together but it doesn’t stop me from giving props where props are due Mr. Williams a true LEGEND always in my book always in my heart
Your Grandfather, Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams, was an extraordinary musician. He was (and still is, in my opinion) one of the best early pioneers of Rock & Roll.”
A BIG THANK YOU to DJ host Jessie Miner for featuring the musical story of Paul Hucklebuck Williams on his podcast #092 Hey Mister Jessie http://www.yehoodi.com/show/heymisterjesse?episode=92
As the bandleader for the Apollo Theater and Atlantic Records houseband, Paul played behind the big recording artists of the day. Many great musicians were members of his band like saxophonist Noble ‘Thin Man’ Watts. His music Paul Williams The Complete Recordings Volumes 1-3 can be purchased from his website http://paulhucklebuckwilliams.com/
A BIG THANK YOU to Matt Baldassari aka “Matt the Cat” http://www.mattthecat.com/ for finding out: “Interesting, Paul Williams played on a Ruth Brown session on Dec 16, 1953. It was Williams only session for Atlantic that year. Then on Aug 11, 1954, Paul Williams whole band backed Ruth Brown on a session that included the great “Mambo Baby.” ”
Matt the Cat is the radio host of Juke In The Back http://www.jukeintheback.org
The Paul Williams band was the houseband for Atlantic Records and the Apollo Theater. Ruth Brown recorded for the Atlantic Records label and performed at the Apollo Theater.
A BIG THANK YOU to Frederick Martins radio host of the Black n’ Blues Bar on http://www.radioestacaoweb.com/ in Brazil. Mr. Martins produced a radio show featuring the musical story of Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams in May 2013 in Portuguese and English.
The Portuguese version can be listened to and downloaded at this link: http://www.4shared.com/mp3/Kr6GEW0r/059_black_n_blues_bar_-_070520.html?
The English version can be listened to and downloaded at this link: http://www.4shared.com/mp3/2qWGWWuw/060_BLACK_N_BLUES_BAR_-_090520.html?
The music of Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams is available online in a three volume CD set entitled Paul Williams The Complete Recordings Volume 1 1947-1949, Paul Williams The Complete Recordings Volume 2 1949-1952, Paul Williams The Complete Recordings Volume 3 1952-1956; as well as two digital recordings: Paul Williams The Very Best Of, and, Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams The Rock n’ Roll Years. The Complete Recordings CDs contain liner notes about Paul and the music he wrote and recorded.
It is with much gratitude to Mr. Martins for dedicating the program to the memory of Paul’s son and former Paul Williams Band drummer Earl Williams. Earl Williams passed away in January 2013.
paulhucklebuckwilliams.com is awesome buddy !
paulhucklebuckwilliams.com owner you are an awesome writer
A BIG THANK YOU to http://classicsoulradio.org for featuring Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams in its blogsite.
Keeping his music and legacy alive. http://classicsoulradio.org/blog/?p=12774#.UUiYV0x0c4s.twitter
Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams was born on July 13th. The world was given GREAT music to enjoy.
PAUL “HUCKLEBUCK” WILLIAMS’ music played over loud speakers at the Paradise Valley Music Festival in Detroit Michigan July 13 -15, 2012 http://detroitparadisevalleymusicfestival.com/
Paul played a great role in creating the music of the Paradise Valley.
Thank you Planet D Nonet band for paying tribute to Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams by recording his songs ‘Hoppin John’ and ‘Canadian Ace’. The song Hoppin John is on the CD Blowin Away The Blues Vol. 1 and Canadian Ace is on Blowin Away The Blues Vol. 2
It is bands like yours that keep his music and legacy alive.
The Paul Williams Band members in the “ShowTime At The Apollo” films are:
Steve Cooper – Bass, Freddie Johnson – Piano, Jimmy Brown – Trumpet, Eddie Silvers – Tenor Sax, Belton Evans – Drums, Freddie Johnson – Piano, Floyd Taylor – Piano. Floyd Taylor was Paul’s cousin. Eddie Silvers sits to Paul’s left on the bandstand and has the sax solos in a few of the films such as Big Joe Turner’s ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’. Paul has a baritone sax solo on ‘Larry Darnell’s Don’t Go’.
Has anyone identified all the personnel in Paul’s band in the “Show Time At The Apollo” films?
Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams recorded for at least ten record labels throughout his career. A discography page is a great idea.
Bobby Parker, Paul’s former guitar player, says he wrote the song ‘You Got What It Takes’ and Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams helped him get the copyright http://rockaeology.com/2011/10/26/who-wrote-you-got-what-it-takes.aspx
You can contact Bobby Parker on his facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bobbyparkerblues
I wonder if anyone from the heritage of the Paul Williams band of 1957 is still around and could help solve the mystery of a recording that they made for Vee Jay featuring Bobby Parker…..The song was You got what it takes…..but who wrote it ? Although Bobby always claims that, Berry Gordy Jr
later put his name on it….Any help withthe truth??
This is a lovely website, a wonderful tribute to a great musician, who is probably not widely known, but who inspired and worked with so many others. I’m enjoying now exploring his works and story.
Do you have any plans to build a discography page on the site? I think that would be very welcome
Best wishes to all
Read about the musical acomplishments of Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams at http://blackpast.org/?q=aah/williams-paul-hucklebuck-1915-2002
Read about Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams on ‘JazzWax’ blog site, written by Marc Myers. http://www.jazzwax.com/2012/02/paul-williams-baritone-boogie.html
LISTEN to the music of Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams, at his Youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/PaulHucklebuckWms
BUY his CDs and Downloads at the Purchase CDs & Vinyl page of this website.
Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams has been added to the African American Registry http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/musician-paul-hucklebuck-williams-born
Click on the Paul’s Youtube channel link above, to listen to the song Cranberries.
<3 grandpa (jimmy brown) is truley a amazing man! rest in peace granddaddy love your baby girl
Good evening, dear Lisa, a real pleasure to visit again Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams’ great tribute site. he still does sound amazingly brand new and extremely modern, a pioneer, an avant garde well ahead of his time. Many kind regards.
Two MP3 CDs (albums) have been released for your enjoyment: ‘Paul Williams The Very Best Of’ and ‘Paul Hucklebuck Williams The Rock ‘N’ Roll Years’. These digital download albums only contain song files with NO descriptive information about Paul Hucklebuck Williams or the songs he wrote/recorded. For more information about Paul, please see the various links on this website, or his YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/PaulHucklebuckWms.
Thank you Bobby for the information you put on Paul’s Facebook page about the time you spent in the band:
“Nowaday’s, People, Artist’s, And Music fans Don’t Have a clue about what ” Real Show ” Biz Was like In the 50’s / 60’s era, It was the ” Real deal ” I was In my Early 20’s When I Played on stage at the ” Apollo, In a 18 Peice Blues Rock Band, Of ” Paul HuckleBuck Williams” We also played House band at The ” Regal ” In Chicago, The Royal Theater In Baltimore, And The Howard Theater in DC,”
Paul “Mr. Hucklebuck” Williams is one of the unsung founding fathers of rock & roll music. Thank you so much to Lisa and Earl and the Williams family for all that you are doing to promote his important and pioneering musical legacy.
David Blakey, Webmaster,
BO DIDDLEY-The Originator Officially Authorized Website
http://members.tripod.com/~Originator_2/index.html
A Celebration of his unique contribution to Popular Music.
http://www.myspace.com/bodiddleyofficial
The Official Bo Diddley MySpace Page.
http://www.myspace.com/bodiddleylegacy
The Bo Diddley Legacy MySpace Page.
Thanks, Lisa, for going to http://fullmoonhacksaw.com to listen to archived blues radio, and to comment. I’ve been doing jazz radio for decades in Phoenix, most of them including blues. I LOVE your grandfather’s playing. Thanks to you I now know he played bari and alto sax. What a sound he set up for others to follow…
Heck of a job there, it absolutely helps me out.
Articels like this are an example of quick, helpful answers.
An article has been written about the musical life of Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams, by his son Earl Williams published in the August 2011 issue (#261) of the Blues and Rhythm magazine in Britain. http://www.bluesandrhythm.co.uk/.
Read the article at this link: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4DDdIpCsfy-VWdBVS11LWRIT3M/edit?usp=sharing
There is an article written about the musical life of Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams, by his son Earl Williams which has been published in the August 2011 issue (#261) of the Blues and Rhythm magazine in Britain. http://www.bluesandrhythm.co.uk/.
Read the article at this link: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4DDdIpCsfy-VWdBVS11LWRIT3M/edit?usp=sharing
This article went ahead and made my day.
It’s about time someone wrote about this.
Full of salient points. Don’t stop believing or writing!
My Daddy, “jimmy brown trumpeter” would be so happy to know how people are being touched by the music he helped to create right now 2011, over 50 years have gone and passed. I am 35 and share with anyone from my generation who will listen.
In today’s world, the media strives to find artists that have the “it” factor. Even if they don’t have “it”, they will try to create “it” through various audio and video effects. Often times their success is short lived and soon forgotten. Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams proves that his music is “it”, being as fresh today as it was over 60 years ago. I feel that his music was not forgotten but just overlooked a little. These videos solidify what “it” is all about. Just pure raw powerful music that grabs your soul and rejuvenates “it”. Paul’s music will live on through these videos and through his recordings that are available in today’s marketplace. In his day, Paul was “it” and he still has “it” today. So when the rarity of finding an artist that has “it” occurs today just remember that Paul Williams helped build the foundation of “it”. May his music live on and shake the souls of today’s world and beyond. Rock “It”, Man!
Huck was the Man! you did a great job on the site and Paul was so much about Black music, he led the way. My High School buddy was in those videos Belton Evans ,he taught me how to play drums and Paul taught me the music business. I didn’t do anything, without discussing it with Paul first. I had a booking agency, before I had the band, he was my mentor. I always tell the story of how he would cuss me out every night, on the bandstand, for not holding the groove. That’s the band I grew up in musically. I will never forget him and forever thankful he was a part my life. Thanks very much for sharing please stay in touch.
Hello Lisa,
I like your grandfather’s music,too. Over 30 years ago they played the HUCKLEBUCK on American Forces Radio in West-Berlin when there was less 1 minute left to the news.They made announcements about the recreation center, cinemas for american soldiers etc. over the song and faded it out. Because of that i had never the chance to listen to the whole song not to mention that I never found out who was the band.
They only played it once on Berlin Radio on a Jazz show called “Club 18” which I listened to on Saturday’s afternoon when I was at my grandmother’s flat in the late 70’s but her radio was very old and it took some time to warm up & find the radio station. So I was too late and heard only the name of the song and realized then that I knew the song before covered by others 🙂
Have a great weekend
Framat
I will continue to tell the world what a great man Paul Hucklebuck Williams was he taught me so much he took alot of us young bucks under his wing he was our stage dad some don’t believe because there is no documentation of us two together but it doesn’t stop me from giving props where props are due Mr. Williams a true LEGEND always in my book always in my heart
Guitar Blues Legend Bobby Parker