Billy Hector
Billy Hector (born 1956) is an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter from Orange, New Jersey.[1]
Billy Hector | |
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![]() Hector performing at Big Danny's wake at Red Fusion in Asbury Park, New Jersey, 2007 | |
Background information | |
Born | 1956 (age 66–67) Orange, New Jersey, U.S. |
Genres | Blues, rock, folk rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
Labels | Ghetto Surf Music |
Website | billyhector |
History
Hector considers himself a working man's musician. He was initially lured into the music world after seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. He says this changed his world.[2] He soon found himself drawn to the blues. He started taking guitar lessons at age 9, and later studied jazz guitar and music history at William Paterson University.[2]
Hector started playing regularly in a blues band in 1985.[2] He has been producing albums for over 20 years while performing primarily in small clubs.[3]
Hector's guitar style is a combination of Jersey Shore blues and rock n roll.[4]
As of 2013, his band consisted of Hector on guitar and vocals, Timmy Tindall on bass, and Dan Hickey on drums.[2]
Hector received the Best Guitarist Award from music critic Bob Makin of The Aquarian Weekly's East Coast Rocker section twice.[5] He is also the recipient of three Asbury Park Music Awards: "Best Guitarist", "Best Blues Band" and the "Living Legend."[5] Hector and his band were billed alongside Bonnie Raitt at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "Tribute to Muddy Waters".[5]
Hector has played with B. B. King,[1] Bo Diddley, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds,[4] but is most at home in small clubs.[1] He was the touring guitarist for Hubert Sumlin and Joe Louis Walker.
He appeared in the movie Hellhound on My Trail backing Sonny Landreth, and in One Way Out.
Discography
- 1988 (45 rpm single) "Your Time Is At Hand" / "If You Love Me Like You Say (You Wouldn't Treat Me Like You Do)"
- 1989 All The Way Live
- 1993 Wild, Wild Beast
- 1993 And The Crowd Went Wild!!!
- 1994 Cold Wind
- 1997 Hard to Please
- 2000 What Can a Poor Boy Do?
- 2001 Duct Tape Life
- 2002 Busy Man
- 2002 Undertow
- 2003 Stonehenge
- 2003 Out of Order
- 2005 Alive and Kickin'
- 2007 Hard Rockin' Blues
- 2009 Traveler
- 2013 Choice Cuts
- 2014 Fire Within
- 2015 Old School Thang
- 2019 Someday Baby
- 2022 Rock Night in Jersey
References
- Coyne, Kevin, Still Strumming and Rocking After All These Years. September 7, 2008. The New York Times. Retrieved July 2011.
- Semet, Scott (September 18, 2013). "Band of the Week: Billy Hector". Press of Atlantic City.
- DeMasters, Karen, "JERSEY FOOTLIGHTS; Album Party for Billy Hector", The New York Times, April 1, 2001. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- Selzer, Hal B. Local Noise: Billy Hector – Stayin' Alive. March 26, 2010. The Aquarian. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
- Billy Hector Band Archived December 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Jersey Shore Jazz Blues Foundation. Retrieved July 9, 2011.