Driven by the beat of the drum, there was a fearless energy to this new sound. It was loud, brash and infectious. In the segregated Southern states of America they called it ‘The Devil’s Music’ and tried to stop it. They made huge bonfires of 78 rpm records. Some old-style broadcasters were literally smashing these brittle 10-inch shellac discs on air.

But the force was irresistible. Young, white rock and rollers could not believe their ears. They loved the danger of this cool music, played by DJs like Alan Freed on the turntables of enlightened radio stations right across America.

Like Elvis and many of his Southern counterparts, Buddy Holly was well versed in country music. But now he was discovering new sounds. Records by Bo Diddley and Mickey and Sylvia were filling up his senses but there was one record more than any other that influenced and impacted his early playing style.

‘Work with Me Annie’ was the first No.1 single for Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, a group from Michigan, who dominated the airwaves in the summer of 1954. The track was a sensation – unvarnished, raw and provocative, with a killer groove propelled by the ringing guitar riffs of Detroit Billy Davis … and Buddy was listening. It is a straight line from ‘Work With Me Annie’ to ‘Blue Days, Black Nights’ which Buddy released in June 1956 – a record that represented that perfect synthesis of R&B, country Music, rockabilly and rock and roll.

Billy toured with the Midnighters on and off for more than thirty years and it was at a gig in 1959 that he met and began mentoring a new, aspiring musician who would go on to become one of the greatest guitarists the world has ever known. His name was Jimi Hendrix. ‘When I would show him something he had to perfect it’ Billy recalled. ‘He would do the same thing for hours and hours. He wanted to be perfect’.

Billy Davis was a talented guitarist and performer celebrated for his dynamic showmanship and influential style. He played a significant role in the music scene of the 1960s, and his mentorship of Jimi Hendrix, helping shape his early guitar style and offering guidance as Jimi grew into the rock legend we know today. Their connection ran deep, with Billy playing an important role in Jimi’s musical journey.

Billy’s circle of friends was becoming legendary. He was hanging out with John Lee Hooker, James Brown, Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke and sought advice from B.B. King. His group the Upsetters became the in-house band for ambitious young label boss Berry Gordy, playing on records by Smokey Robinson, Martha and the Vandellas, the Supremes, the Four Tops and many others, helping to create the globally successful sound of a giant Motor City icon – the Motown record label.

In recent years, Billy has achieved an incredible grand slam as an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Doo Wop Hall of Fame and the R&B Hall of Fame. The fearless, halcyon days of the 1950s still echo today.

Bob Harris