Billy Lee Riley 1953-2009 R.I.P.

Helped make rockabilly a household word.

By Fred Mills

Legendary roots/rockabilly pioneer Billy Lee Riley passed away this weekend in Jonesboro, Arkansas, following a battle with colon cancer. He was 75.

As previously reported, a fundraising effort for Riley and his wife had been underway to help offset their mounting bills.

Riley, of course, was a Sun Records mainstay back in the day whose 1957 hit "Flying Saucers Rock and Roll" made him internationally famous. Riley road numerous rockabilly revivals over the course of his career and remained a vital performer. In an obituary posted at CountryStandardTime.com, his last public show was in June at the Rock and Soul Museum in Memphis.

BLURT contributor Rev. Keith Gordon, in his blues blog at About.com, praised the icon and noted that Riley "pursued his own unique vision of rockabilly, blues, and country-blues music; the guitarist's affinity for the blues could have made him a hot property in the blues world if he'd have focused exclusively in that genre."

With yet another classic voice silenced, the world just got a little colder...

UPDATE/ADDITION: Those still wishing to donate funds to Riley's widow to help out with expenses can send checks or money orders to:


Joyce Riley
723 Crest Drive
Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401