Billy Vera

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Billy Vera (born May 28, 1944) is an American singer and actor who was born William McCord in Riverside, California. Billy began his singing career in 1962 as a member of the Resolutions. He went on to write several songs throughout the early 60's, writing for the likes of Barbara Lewis and Ricky Nelson.

In 1967 Vera wrote a song entitled "Storybook Children" and brought it to Atlantic Records. They found a talented young singer named Judy Clay to record it with him. It was a minor hit in early 1968, and Billy and Judy recorded an album that was critically acclaimed. He would have a solo hit later that same year with the Bobby Goldsboro penned "With Pen In Hand".

Throughout the 70s and early 80s Vera focused on songwriting including "I Really Got the Feeling" which was a number 1 hit for Dolly Parton. He also participated in several archival and music preservation projects, including fronting the band at the 1972 Reunion concert of Dion & the Belmonts.

Living in Los Angeles, and writing songs for Warner Brothers, Billy and his old friend, bass player Chuck Fiore decided to put together a band to play the local club scene. Modeling their band on 50s R n' B bands, The Beaters were born. They featured a robust horn section, as well as a pedal steel guitar, along with drums, piano, Fiore's bass, and Billy's lead guitar and vocals. As a result of the incredible local buzz the band generated, Alfa records offered them a contract. They recorded the band live and in 1981 yielded the minor hit "I Can Take Care Of Myself", which reached #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, and "At This Moment" charted at #79, but this song would rechart several years later.

By 1982 Alfa Records was out of business and Billy and the Beaters continued to play the clubs of Southern California. In 1985 a producer from the TV show Family Ties was in the audience to hear the band play "At This Moment". It was aired in the fall of 1985 during the breakup episode of characters Alex (Michael J. Fox) and Ellen (Tracy Pollan). Viewers responded by clamoring for the song, and in 1986 Rhino records re-released the recording as a Best of record. The single was a number one hit and stayed on the charts for 15 weeks.

Before "At This Moment", Billy had a small career in movies and television including appearances in The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai and soap opera Days of Our Lives. "At This Moment" propelled his movie career as he and the Beaters were featured prominently in the Bruce Willis movie Blind Date. He would go on to star in a TV series, Wiseguy and would have several other roles on shows such as Baywatch, Boy Meets World, and Beverly Hills 90210. These roles would lead him into composing theme songs for TV shows, such as Empty Nest and King of Queens, as well as voice acting on Cartoon Network cartoons.

Currently Billy and the Beaters are still playing the California club scene, and Billy continues his work as a music historian. He has helped produce, archive, and write liner notes for over 200 reissue albums and sets, from artists such as Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Louis Jordan, Ray Charles, Louis Prima, and more.