Billy Haynes

Billy Haynes was born, 22nd. March 1949, in Los Angeles, California. Billy’s first two major influences in music was his Great-Grandfather, Elijah "Big Papa" Smith, who was the Guitarist for the “The Heavenly Gate", Church of God And Christ” and a James Brown Concert at the age of ten. His first live performance was in 1963, as a singer with a local group in Bakersfield, California, at the age of fourteen. In 1965 the band asked him to learn how to play bass guitar, to replace the bassist who was drafted into the Vietnam War. 1967 he formed his own group, “The Original Souls”, the band was very popular locally and in 1969 won a local “Battle of the Bands”. The Band went on to a statewide “Battle of the Bands” at the Hollywood Bowl. Taking the top honors at that event, lead to a recording contract with Sun Records and a spot as the opening act for “Gary Puckett and the Union Gap” at the Hollywood Bowl, that same year. With that success, the band toured extensively throughout California until 1976, when Billy's good friend, Guitarist Johnny Diosdado overdosed on heroin and the group broke up.Billy moved back to L.A in 1976 and immediately started to get into the “L.A. Scene” performing with local L.A. bands. In 1977 Tina Turner was holding auditions for bass players and Billy became Tina Turner’s first bass player as a solo artist. From 1977 to 1981, he toured extensively with Tina Turner throughout the world and recorded "Rough", Tina's 1st. solo album.In 1979, while on tour in Paris, France, Billy was joined with Tina's Horn section and was billed as “Billy Haynes and The L.A. Horns”. “Billy Haynes and The L.A. Horns”, released two cover songs, “Keep On Running” and “Land Of A 1000 Dances” for CBS London. Continuing to tour with Tina, Billy and several members of Tina's “Rhythm section”, recorded for several other artist, throughout the world.In 1981, Billy, accepted an offer from Lou Rawls to join his show. Lou Rawls was having success in the United States with his hit record “You’ll Never Find”. Billy toured with Lou Rawls for two years before deciding to form his own group and in 1983 Billy, formed "Pressure Point". Broadway Theatre personality, Leslie Uggams, and her husband had agreed to manage the band with assistance from Dionne Warrick. One of the first things they arranged was an audition for the very popular television show “Star Search”, a 1980’s version of “Idols”. Billy and his band “Pressure Point” sweep through the competition, all the way up to the finals and "Lost!!!In 1986, Billy reconnected with long time local R&B great, Ray “Lil Ray” Jimenez, who had a very popular “East L.A” oldies show. "Performing in that show, gave me a new respect for “Old School” Rhythm and Blues”, says Billy. With that new found respect, Billy put together yet another band in 1987. With a heavy emphasis on “Old School” and with the help of “Lil Ray”, Billy became a very popular “Society” band leader, playing for some of Hollywood’s more influential power brokers and high profile Entertainment Industry companies. Examples include: CBS studios, Fox Studios, ABC Studios, Pasadena Playhouse and many more. “House Band” bandleader for the “Will & Grace” Television show and performing at some of the prestigious venues throughout Southern California, Sharing the stages with the likes of Ray Charles, Chaka Khan, David Hasselhoff, The Temptations and more.From 1987 to 1995, Billy was privileged to have had some great musicians join his band, such as the great “Funk Brother” Clarence McDonald on Keyboards, two time Grammy winner Keb’ Mo, One of the original members of Sly And The Family Stone, Saxophonist Jerry Martini, Tower Of Power Guitarist Bruce Conte, Smooth Jazz Recording artist Saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, Drummer Bob Wilson and Guitarist Bud Nuanez of “Seawind” and many many more. In 1994 Billy received a call to perform in the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain. From 1994 to 1999, “The Billy Haynes Band” enjoyed a very successful run of performing at festivals and five star hotels in Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Oman. In 1999, Billy became the Bassist for 73 year old L.A. blues legend, J.J. “Bad Boy” Jones. Joining J.J.’s Band, was Billy’s first venture into the “Blues scene”. On the blues scene he joined Roy “Guitar” Gaines’ band and got on the world wide blues scene, performing all over the U.S. and Europe and being on the same bill with Legends of the Blues and R&B genre like B.B. King, Etta James, Dr. John, Clarence Carter, Finis Tasby and even Ike Turner.In November 2002, Billy received a call, asking him if he would be interested in working and living in The Netherlands. To the present day, Billy Haynes has been living in the Netherlands enjoying success with the “Billy Haynes Band” spreading “Feel Good” R&B all over Europe! I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4