Previous Vocal Group Record of the Week
#634 (Week of 10/3/09 - 10/9/09)

SPOTLIGHT ON BILLY BUNN - PART ONE OF TWO

"That's When Your Heartaches Begin"/
"(It Will Have To Do) Until The Real Thing Comes Along"
by Billy Bunn And His Buddies
RCA Victor 20-4657
released in 1952


Above: 1952 photo of Billy Bunn. His Buddies consisted of James L. Brown, Bernard J. Hughes, Robert I. Johnson, and Oliver Mason.

Notes from the R.&B. Beat:
NEW YORK, February 1952 — ON THE DOTTED LINE: RCA Victor expanded its talent roster last week with the signing of Billy Bunn and his Buddies. The group's first disking, "I Need A Shoulder to Cry On" and "I'm Afraid" is on the waxery's current release....

Jet Magazine — July 31, 1952:
RCA Victor record officials have private detectives out searching for the new singer, Billy Bunn, who has disappeared. His first discs for them got top notices and they're holding royalty checks for him.


JET MAGAZINE "Male 'Soprano' Is Johnny Ray Rival"
July 17, 1952 — Former Baptist church soloist Billy Bunn is the only male "soprano" singer in the recording field since RCA-Victor put him on the music market as an answer to cry-singer Johnny Ray. On his first record, I Need A Shoulder To Cry On, Bunn hit one octave higher than any male popular singer in the history of jazz singing.

Male Soprano Is Amazing New 'Wail' Singer
Screaming his passion in an utterly unique manner, Billy Bunn, a portly male soprano, seems destined to reach the same singing success as "cry singer" Johnny Ray. His voice is high, elastic and capable of feats which have flabbergasted musical experts. The former Baptist church soloist can reach one octave higher than any male singer in the history of popular music. His records, I Need A Shoulder To Cry On and That's When Your Heartaches Begin, have zoomed into best seller lists in many cities.

Now 26, Billy weighs 200 pounds and is married to Tomegia Bunn. Like Johnny Ray, he has encroached somewhat on the territory of female singers, but says he recalls no influence on his style by any one singer.



Above: Label image of RCA Victor 20-4657 recorded on March 18, 1952 and released on April 4, 1952. Per Disc-File, it was first released on March 20 with "Wonder" on the flip side, but withdrawn from commercial distribution on March 24. Billy Bunn And His Buddies had one other record on RCA Victor, the 1951 release of "I Need A Shoulder To Cry On"/"I'm Afraid."

Listen to this week's selections by Billy Bunn And His Buddies on RCA Victor 20-4657 from 1952:
[Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]

     A. Stream RealAudio (DO NOT USE...LISTEN USING DOWNLOAD REALAUDIO)...
 
          1. That's When Your Heartaches Begin
          2. Until The Real Thing Comes Along
 
          BOTH played in sequence
          FOUR RCA Victor sides

     B. Download RealAudio...
 
          1. That's When Your Heartaches Begin
          2. Until The Real Thing Comes Along

     C. Stream/Download Media Player...
 
          1. That's When Your Heartaches Begin
          2. Until The Real Thing Comes Along


          [To download audio files, right-click on link
          and then click "Save (Link) Target As..."]



          (Left: Clipping April 1952)







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