"YA'LL KNOW MR.
BASS"....Stevie Ray Vaughan introducing Billy Cox as he brings him on to jam at the Grand Ole
Opry House, Nashville--January 28, 1986.
New York City 1969
Experience Hendrix Tour
Billy Cox met Jimi Hendrix when they were serving in the Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in 1961.
Ducking into Service Club #1 to get out of a
sudden rainstorm, he heard guitar playing inside. Impressed with what he heard, he introduced
himself, told Jimi he played bass, and they were
jamming soon after.
They became, and remained, fast friends. They
left the military around the same time and they played clubs around the area, finally settling in Nashville, Tennessee.They formed a group now known to history as the King Kasuals. They did all the Nashville clubs and traveled all over the southeast and as far north as Indianapolis
playing what was called the "Chitlin' Circuit"
(the black club scene).
Jimi eventually left Nashville and continued
to struggle all over the country until he was
discovered by Chas Chandler in New York.
Chas took Jimi to England, (and the rest is
history) but before Jimi left, he called Billy
and asked him to go and be part of it. Billy (in
his own words) "Only had three strings on my
bass" and no money to travel to New York, so
he thanked Jimi and wished him well.
Destiny had other plans for Billy. He continued to play, backing some of the greats in R n' B until the Jimi Hendrix Experience broke up in mid 1969. Jimi then called his old friend and Billy was there...recording in the studio, playing
Woodstock (as Gypsys, Suns, and Rainbows)
recording some more, playing the legendary series of shows with Jimi and Buddy Miles as the Band
of Gypsys, and performing and recording solidly
through the year 1970.
After Jimi's death Billy played for a time with the Charlie Daniels Band. Following that he
continued to do sessions and club dates.
I met Billy in 1985 and several months later
co-produced a Hendrix tribute in a local club
where we showed rare video and had some live
music. I asked him if he would come so I could
introduce him to the crowd. he asked, "I don't
have to play do I ?" "Just be there as my special guest," I told him. He not only showed up, he
brought his bass, a guitar player, and Fred
Edwards the drummer from his days with Charlie
Daniels. I said to him, "I didn't think you were
going to play!" to which he replied, " I couldn't let you down Dave."
He got such a positive reaction from the
people that he put together a group with Gary
Serkin on guitar and various singers and called
it Gypsy Suns and Rainbows.
In 1986 I introduced Billy to Stevie Ray
Vaughan. I sat on the front row of the empty
auditorium and watched them rehearse "Come On Pt. 1" and "Voodoo Child" (Slight Return). That night they brought the house down. Stevie was humble
and thrilled to be working with one of HIS
heroes. He later confided to me that, that night
was the highlight of the entire tour for him.
Billy Cox later reunited with Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell, and guitarist Gary Serkin and did a series of shows under the name Gypsy Sun Experience. In 2000 the Cort company released the Billy Cox "Freedom" model bass.
On October 12, 2009, Billy Cox was inducted into the Musician's Hall of Fame in ceremonies at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Click HERE to see and hear Billy's acceptance speech.
Billy's Musicians Hall of Fame Tribute Video
In ceremonies held October 9, 2010 Billy Cox was presented with the prestigious
Founder's award by the Experience Music Project ( EMP) Museum in Seattle. The award is given annually to artists who have made outstanding contributions to popular music and Billy was recognized for his work preserving and celebrating the legacy of Jimi Hendrix.
EMP board member Q&A with the students Billy receiving the
Photos above courtesy of Experience Music Project
In ceremonies held October 15, 2011 at The Culture Center Theater in Charleston, West Virginia, Billy Cox was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.
Billy accepting Billy receives award Billy performing
Photos above courtesy of West Virginia Music Hall of Fame
To Tribute Navigation Page
Nashville 3-9-12
photo by Gary Morton
Billy and his
Musician's Hall of Fame Award
October 12, 2009
Mike Malone, Billy & EMP
founder Paul Allen
at the EMP Rock
Band Camp
Founder's Award
from Paul Allen
the award
from Janie Hendrix
with his band
