Biography:

William Famous Williamson (February 9, 1925 – March 22, 1996) was the American steel guitar player for Bill Haley and His Saddlemen, and its successor group Bill Haley & His Comets, from 1949 to 1963.

Life and career

A founding member of both the Saddlemen and the Comets, Williamson often acted as the band’s emcee and comic relief during live concerts; he also played lead guitar on occasion. He was with the band when they recorded “Rock Around the Clock” in 1954 and appeared with the band when they performed the song on the Milton Berle Show and the Ed Sullivan Show in 1955. Williamson had the distinction of being the only Comet allowed to record lead vocal tracks during Haley’s tenure at Decca Records (such as the song “Hide and Seek” on their 1956 album, Rock and Roll Stage Show and “B.B. Betty” on the 1958 Bill Haley’s Chicks album. He also shared a number of songwriting credits with Haley. His wife, Catherine Cafra, was also credited as co-writer of a number of songs recorded by Haley, including the 1958 hit, “Skinny Minnie.”

Credits: