Chuck Billy (vocalist)
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Chuck Billy (Born June 23, 1962), is a U.S. vocalist, who is best known as the vocalist for the thrash metal band Testament.
Chuck Billy replaced Steve "Zetro" Souza, future Exodus vocalist, in the mid-1980s when the band was still called Legacy. Following his arrival, Testament released their first album entitled The Legacy in 1987. The only song written by Chuck Billy on The Legacy was "Do or Die". Although the lineup of the band has changed over the years, Billy has remained constant as the vocalist. However, his vocal style has changed over the years from a clear thrash style to a death grunt. Since the Low album, he has mixed both styles and sometimes performs both on the same song.
Chuck has also appeared on the solo projects of James Murphy, playing on both albums as a guest musician. He also has sung lead vocals for Exodus at at least one concert recently (October 28, 2004 at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco, opening for Megadeth).
In 2001, Chuck Billy was diagnosed with germ cell seminoma; a rare kind of cancer in his case because it is usually in the testicular region of a man's body, but he has it in the chest region near his heart. However, following chemotherapy, he has since been given a clean bill of health and continued his work with Testament. In August of 2001, friends organized the Thrash of the Titans benefit concert, held to raise money for Chuck's medical expenses.
Chuck Billy is of the Pomo Native Americans, an indigenous people of Northern California. He is proud of his American Indian heritage, sometimes giving a shoutout to his "Indian brothers and sisters" in the audience. The song "Trail of Tears" is a tribute to his heritage and "Allegiance" is also about it.
His younger brother Eddie, was the original bassist for Vio-Lence.
In 2006 Chuck Billy Did vocals on the Sadus "Crazy".
Chuck Billy has also hooked up with musicians such as Steve Souza, Greg Bustamante, Steve Robello & Willy Lange to form the band Dublin Death Patrol.
| Testament |
| Chuck Billy | Greg Christian | Louie Clemente | Eric Peterson | Alex Skolnick |
| James Murphy | Derrick Ramirez | Dave Lombardo | John Tempesta | Gene Hoglan | Glen Alvelais | Jon Allen | Paul Bostaph | Steve Smyth | Steve DiGiorgio | "Metal" Mike Chlasciak |
| Discography |
|---|
| Studio Albums: The Legacy | The New Order | Practice What You Preach | Souls of Black | The Ritual | Low | Demonic | The Gathering | First Strike Still Deadly |
| Live Albums: Live at Eindhoven | Return to the Apocalyptic City | Live at the Fillmore | Live in London |
| Compilations: The Best of Testament | Signs of Chaos | The Very Best of Testament | Days of Darkness |
| DVD and Video: Seen Between the Lines | Live at the Fillmore | Live in London |
