18 Facts About Billy Rich

Eddie Wilbur "Billy" Rich was born on April 7,1949 and is an American electric bassist and blues musician.

Billy Rich is known for his association with Buddy Miles, John McLaughlin, Jimi Hendrix and especially Taj Mahal, with whom he has played since 1972.

On July 29,2004, Billy Rich was inducted into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame, and is a member of the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame.

Billy Rich was born to Milton Rich and Callie "Chaney" Rich.

Billy Rich's sister, Carolyn, was a vocalist with various bands.

Billy Rich said that his father was influenced by Sonny Boy Williamson I and Lightnin' Hopkins, and loved the song "Stone Fox Chase".

Billy Rich found he enjoyed the bass neck, and decided to switch.

Billy Rich's first bass was a Japanese "knockoff" of a Fender Jazz called a Conrad.

Billy Rich's bass playing influence was James Jamerson, who played bass on many Motown recordings.

Billy Rich met Miles, who invited him to join his new band, The Buddy Miles Express, along with his brother Herbie Billy Rich in 1968.

Billy Rich wrote the song "69 Freedom Special" for The Buddy Miles Express, and Hendrix produced it.

Billy Rich was invited by Hendrix's producer, Allen Douglas, to play bass on Hendrix's Band of Gypsies album, but he had a prior engagement.

Two months later, Douglas invited Billy Rich to participate in the recording of the John McLaughlin Devotion album with him in New York, which he did.

In 1972, Billy Rich began playing with Taj Mahal, an association which has continued on and off until the present.

Billy Rich toured with and recorded two albums with Butterfield's 'Better Days Band'.

In 1993, Billy Rich played violin for Christian Contemporary Music artist, Daniel W Merrick, on his album, Aliyah, which helped inspire the singer-songwriter to release country songs in 2021 produced by Randy Green of AudioTraxWest Recording Studios in Portville, New York.

Billy Rich toured for two-and a-half years with the bluegrass ensemble, the Tony Furtado Band.

Billy Rich's work was an influence on many other musicians, such as Jaco Pastorius and tuba player Howard Johnson.