Arts & Culture

Arlington Arts Centre at Mary Hare School in Newbury has got a little treat in store for you next month in the form of Billy Boy Arnold.

William “Billy Boy” Arnold, who was born in 1935, is an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter.

Born in Chicago, he began playing harmonica as a child, and in 1948 received informal lessons from his near neighbour John Lee “Sonny Boy” Williamson, shortly before the latter’s death. Arnold made his recording debut in 1952 with “Hello Stranger” on the small Cool label, the record company giving him the nickname “Billy Boy”.

In the early 1950s, he joined forces with street musician Bo Diddley and played harmonica on the March 2, 1955 recording of the Bo Diddley song “I’m a Man” released by Checker Records.

Arnold signed a solo recording contract with Vee-Jay Records, recording the originals of “I Wish You Would” and “I Ain’t Got You”. Both were later covered by The Yardbirds. “I Wish You Would” was also recorded by David Bowie on his 1973 album Pin Ups and by Sweet on their 1982 album, Identity Crisis.

Anyway from the early Nineties to now he’s had a bit of resurgence and in 2014 was even nominated for a Blues Music Award in the ‘Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year’ category.

You can catch him in Newbury on Thursday September 3 when teams up with The Animals and Friends. Definitely not one to miss.