KELLON

Hi, I'm Bill Kellon. Welcome to my Site. I'd like to thank CAWFFEE, my wife of 28 years, for the upkeep of the site. * * * If it shows me online it is probably CAWFFEE taking care of the site. She has put all her love into this for me. Without her, none of this would be possible. * * * I have 2 fine sons, who are also musicians, and 2 wonderful grandchildren. I've been playing music all of my life. Got my first guitar at age 8 (which my sister promptly broke because I took the heads off of her dolls). Got another guitar at age 9. Of course these were both right handed acoustics and I had to learn to play "UPSIDE DOWN" (because my parents played right-handed and I'm left-handed). Got my first electric at age 13 when we were living in Japan. (Man, I was so excited). Dad made me an amp out of an old radio. (I was hooked up). Joined my first band at age 15 in Japan, with two sailors, and played improv blues in bars in Yokohama (I was so under age, but havin way too much fun). Did an audition for RCA Victor at age 16, while in Japan, and got hooked on recording from that moment on. Later that year, moved to Georgia and played in "The Counts", then moved to West Memphis, Arkansas (Left Memfo), at age 18 and played with the "Psychos" (Barry Nix, Dennis "Booger" Nix, Roy Lee Miskelley, & Robert Earl Franks, & me), and "Silent Heat" (Roy Lee Miskelley, Robert Earl Franks, "Booger", Danny Fulgam, and me). Went to Nam, came back in 1969 and went to work for FAME Studio in Memphis, TN, in 1970, as a writer and Sonny Limbo said "every song I wrote couldn't be sung by Clarence Carter" (LOL). Got to meet a lot of folks during that time (but it didn't get me anywhere). Formed "KELLON Brothers" in 1978 (with brothers Kenny & Tracy) (2 recordings survived). Formed "RANSOM" in 1981 with Kenny Kellon, Wade McVay, Ricky Tatum, Chuck Davenport, Scotty Miller, and me (Vernon replaced Scotty in 1984 to 1989);In 1983 RANSOM released a self-titled 4-Song EP; Southern Whiskey was well received with radio play. I formed "Fatt Chance" 1991-1993 with Ricky Griggs, Wade, Kenny, & Corky Mason; Then formed "Bad Habit" 1994-1996 with B.B. Cunningham (Ronnie & The Daytonas, Hombres, Jerry Lee Lewis), Joe Cunningham, & Kenny. Regrouped RANSOM in 1997-2004 and Jack Hardin joined us for a short time (damn, he was a kick ass guitar player), also, formed "Roadies Revenge" inbetween that time. We had a great run, gigging all over the "Mid South", opening for alot of major bands "Back in the Day"... Since then, I've been writing, alot. ~ The bands I've been a member of, over the years, have opened for: Southern Creed, Cobra, Target, Doc Holliday, Head East, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Johnny Van Zandt, Uriah Heep, Blackfoot, Kub Koda & Brownsville Station, Black Oak Arkansas, Nazarath, Blue Oyster Cult, Rare Earth, John Kay & Steppenwolf, Molly Hatchet, Keith Sykes, Tony Joe White, The Gentrys, The Box Tops, The Left Banke, The Essex, The Ad Libs, The Knowbody Else (Black Oak) ~ Local Memphis Bands we had the privilege of gigging with included Looker, Medieval Steel, Juggler, Every Mothers Nightmare, DriVin Rain, Calculated X, 3 +1, Tyrant, Valhalla, & many more... One day, in 2006, while surfing the internet we Googled "KELLON" and stumbled upon a band in Finland named "Nuthin Special" who covered "Rock N Roll Alibi" in 1986, from our self-titled 1983 Album RANSOM. It was featured on a Finnish Compilation Album titled Tuhatsarvisia (which we have no idea what it means nor do we understand the intro they put on the front of the song. If anyone knows, please feel free to drop us a line and educate us on what the hell it is LOL). We found out that in 1986 Memphis Radio Station ROCK 103 & a Helsinki Rock Station traded LOCAL MUSIC and our album was included along with Southern Creed and Calculated X. I would just like to say that it is an honor to have "Rock N Roll Alibi" covered by them, even if we didn't find out about it until 20 years later, but they gave my brother, Kenny Kellon, and myself writer's credit for the Lyrics & Music, and that meant alot to us. (Wonder how much it made LOL). We contacted a vinyl dealer in Helsinki, who had the album, which I purchased & in return I included a vinyl copy of the 1983 RANSOM album, also a video of RANSOM performing the song Live on Beale Street in 1986. I have included it on my PLAYLIST following our original from the RANSOM album in 1983. Take a listen, it's quite interesting & they did a really good job......... Since RANSOM I've been writing & recording alot in my home studio. The new tracks on my main playlist, HOT & READY, GROUND ZERO ON 61, & ALBERT'S GRAVE, are all me...Vox, Guitars, Bass, Keyboard, & Drum Machine. Still working on alot more material...Coming soon! Thanks so much for your support.... Enjoy the music!~