Larry Williams

Larry Williams (born Lawrence E. Williams on 10 May 1935; died 7 January 7 1980) was an American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter and pianist from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is best known for writing and recording some Rock'n'Roll standards from 1957 to 1959 for Speciality Records, including "Bony Moronie", "Short Fat Fannie", "Slow Down", "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy" (1958), "Bad Boy" and "She Said Yeah" (1959). English musician John Lennon was a fan, and The Beatles (and several other "British Invasion" groups) recorded several of his songs.

Williams' life mixed tremendous success with violence and drug addiction. He was a longtime friend of Little Richard, with whom his life and music intertwined from their meeting in 1955 to Williams' passing in 1980.