Saturday June 21st 1975

Billie Davis's career started like many other of the female singers of her time.
At the young age of 16 she entered a local talent contest at Southall Community Centre, Pushed on stage by her best friend Billie sang a Connie Francis song 'Many Tears Ago'.

Along with Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers as her backing group for the performance, Billie Won the contest.
After winning she was advised by Cliff Bennett to go and see a man named Joe Meek.
"Cliff Bennet and The Rebel Rousers backed me. I won and after Cliff told me to go See this guy called Joe whose making some pretty amazing sounds. Joe Meek of course"

Billie worked on various experimental recordings and also worked on her own vocal. It was while working with Meek that she was spotted by Robert Stigwood and instantly snapped up. This was the start of her journey into fame.
"I was listening to Rock n Roll I just loved the beat. Chuck Berry Jerry Lee Lewis. I adored Bobby Darin. Then came Phil Spector. The Great Wall of Sound. Oh How I wanted to make records like that.
I did tour with The Four seasons and Bob Crew wanted to take me back to America and record me but Stigwood would not let me go"

Her first big appearance was on the Comedy hit record by Mike Sarne 'Will I What'. Billie bringing the comical cockney accent to the chorus. Though is was her first hit 'Tell Him' that Billie is particularly remembered for.

That record sent Billie up the British charts, Proceeding Dusty Springfield debut by about seven months . With her Jet Black hair, Big doe eyes and vampy and unique cloths style Billie was was of the earliest images of the 60'S Brit scene.
Certainly a muse for the tabloids too. The heavy promotion for 'Tell Him' had Billie performing and touring with mega acts The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, to name a few.

It can be said the Billie certainly has a story or two to tell about those times. "Tours at that time would last for 6 weeks and we would be playing small Essoldo theatres which are now I'm sad to say, became Bingo halls and today remain empty.
Morecambe Winter gardens I recall on the Rolling Stones tour. Last night of the tour Mick and Keith got hold of the key's to the props cupboard and got the wind machines out and almost blew everyone off the stage.

During my spot Whilst bopping around on the stage I turned to see Charlie Watts giving Mick a piggyback across the stage they were both chasing me around.
I thought in a minute they will trip and we might all end up in the orchestra pit."

Billie Davis Online

03.05.2008. 22:37

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