Bill Lloyd has got it all. Successful songwriter, EXCELLENT guitarist, good vocalist. So...how come no one knows who he is? I found out about him through an article in Goldmine, having never heard of him before.Bill started out as a songwriter in the Country genre with his partner Radney Foster. After writing a hit for the Sweethearts Of The Rodeo ("Since I Found You"), Foster and Lloyd were offered a recording contract and recorded three LPs between 1987 and 1990:Foster and LloydVersion Of The TruthFaster and LouderIn 1994 he joined Rusty Young (Neil's Brother, formerly of Poco) and they formed a band called The Sky Kings - again, mostly Country. Although the band was signed to Warner Bros. in 1994, only a single was released, even though they had an album in the can. Finally, a couple of years ago Rhino released that excellent album "From Out Of The Blue"Despite all of the Country hits he wrote, and these two country bands that shaped his early career, Bill then moved firmly into his favorite genre, PowerPop, as a solo performer. Though he had released an LP of rock-oriented demos back in '87, the spotty "Feeling The Elephant", he didn't hit his stride until his CD "Set To Pop" was loosed in 1994. After that came:"Confidence Is High (+4)" (an EP)"Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants" ('99 - WELL before Oasis released a CD with the same title)"Back To Even" 2004A couple of years ago he released a CD, partnered with Jamie Hoover (of The Spongetones) called "Papparazzi". Here's a great track from that: "Better Left Alone"He's also done individual tracks for tons of tribute and other CDs, most of which he collected on a CD called "All In One Place" available on his website at billlloydmusic.com (NOT billlloyd.com - you get some slimy attorney there).Finally, in 2005 he released a download-only album "Horizontal Hold", available on iTunes and worth every penny.If you love PowerPop, you HAVE to check Bill out.To wrap up, a couple of videos. First, a live performance of "Nothing Comes Close" (please ignore the hosts' intro and outtro - big yawn!)Then, from Foster and Lloyd, "Fat Lady Sings", one of their most amusing numbers about the end of a relationship, stated as "I thought I heard the Fat Lady sing"
ivylander says
I do dig this song muchly. If it had come out in '66, it would've been all over the Top 20 like stink on a monkey.
I'm trying to track down some stuff for you by a guy I used to know named Jamie Rounds, who works in the same vein and is quite good. A pal of his is coming to visit us next weekend, so I expect to have more data shortly....
oceanrain says
another hidden gem
never heard of him
as you say how come no one knows him
well dermahrk we do now
great post
like fat lady sings best
cheers
Robco says
I had dinner with Bill and the Sky Kings back before the album was supposed to be released by WEA. Hell of a nice guy. I haven't thought about him in awhile. Thanks for the reminder. Set to pop!
waydutch says
Great stuff. Thanks for the headsup on this site. I'm now active as waydutch, but still working on getting the feel for how this all works.
Bill Lloyd has got it all. Successful songwriter, EXCELLENT guitarist, good vocalist. So...how come no one knows who he is? I found out about him through an article in Goldmine, having never heard of him before.Bill started out as a songwriter in the Country genre with his partner Radney Foster. After writing a hit for the Sweethearts Of The Rodeo ("Since I Found You"), Foster and Lloyd were offered a recording contract and recorded three LPs between 1987 and 1990:Foster and LloydVersion Of The TruthFaster and LouderIn 1994 he joined Rusty Young (Neil's Brother, formerly of Poco) and they formed a band called The Sky Kings - again, mostly Country. Although the band was signed to Warner Bros. in 1994, only a single was released, even though they had an album in the can. Finally, a couple of years ago Rhino released that excellent album "From Out Of The Blue"Despite all of the Country hits he wrote, and these two country bands that shaped his early career, Bill then moved firmly into his favorite genre, PowerPop, as a solo performer. Though he had released an LP of rock-oriented demos back in '87, the spotty "Feeling The Elephant", he didn't hit his stride until his CD "Set To Pop" was loosed in 1994. After that came:"Confidence Is High (+4)" (an EP)"Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants" ('99 - WELL before Oasis released a CD with the same title)"Back To Even" 2004A couple of years ago he released a CD, partnered with Jamie Hoover (of The Spongetones) called "Papparazzi". Here's a great track from that: "Better Left Alone"He's also done individual tracks for tons of tribute and other CDs, most of which he collected on a CD called "All In One Place" available on his website at billlloydmusic.com (NOT billlloyd.com - you get some slimy attorney there).Finally, in 2005 he released a download-only album "Horizontal Hold", available on iTunes and worth every penny.If you love PowerPop, you HAVE to check Bill out.To wrap up, a couple of videos. First, a live performance of "Nothing Comes Close" (please ignore the hosts' intro and outtro - big yawn!)Then, from Foster and Lloyd, "Fat Lady Sings", one of their most amusing numbers about the end of a relationship, stated as "I thought I heard the Fat Lady sing"
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