Bill Doggett

American pianist and organist

Bill Doggett

Doggett in 1980

Background information
Birth name| William Ballard Doggett
Born| (1916-02-16)February 16, 1916
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died| November 13, 1996(1996-11-13) (aged 80)
New York City
Genres|

* Blues
* swing
* jazz
* R&B
* rock and roll

Occupation(s)| Musician
Instrument(s)| Piano, electric organ
Years active| 1930s–1996
Labels| King

Musical artist

William Ballard Doggett (February 16, 1916 – November 13, 1996)[1] was an American pianist and organist.[2] He began his career playing swing music before transitioning into rhythm and blues.[3] Best known for his instrumental compositions "Honky Tonk" and "Hippy Dippy", Doggett was a pioneer of rock and roll.[4] He worked with the Ink Spots, Johnny Otis, Wynonie Harris, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Jordan.[1]

## Biography[edit]

Doggett was born in Philadelphia.[1] During the 1930s and early 1940s he worked for Lucky Millinder, Frank Fairfax and arranger Jimmy Mundy.[2] In 1942 he was hired as the Ink Spots' pianist and arranger.[2]

In 1951, Doggett organized his own trio and began recording for King Records.[2] His best known recording is "Honky Tonk", a rhythm and blues hit of 1956,[2] which sold four million copies (reaching No. 1 R&B and No. 2 Pop), and which he co-wrote with Billy Butler.[5] The track topped the US Billboard R&B chart for over two months.[6] He also arranged for many bandleaders and performers, including Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lionel Hampton.[2]

He continued to play and arrange until he died, aged 80, of a heart attack in New York City.[1]

## Discography[edit]

### Singles[edit]

Year  | Titles (A-side, B-side)
Both sides from same album except where indicated | Chart positions  | Album

|
|
|

US | US R&B
1945  | "Be-Baba-Leba"
b/w "Every Now and Then"
Both sides feature vocalist Helen Humes |  | 3  | Non-album tracks
"He May Be Your Man"
b/w "Blue Prelude"
Both sides feature vocalist Helen Humes |  |
1953  | "Moondust" /  |  | 18  | Moon Dust
"Early Bird"  |  | 21  | Hot Doggett
"No More In Life" (Vocals by Mildred Anderson)
b/w "Real Gone Mambo" (from The Many Moods Of Bill Doggett) |  | 20  | Non-album track
"Eventide"
b/w "And The Angels Sing" (from The Doggett Beat For Happy Feet) |  |  | Moon Dust
"The Christmas Song"
b/w "Winter Wonderland" |  |  | All Time Christmas Favorites (later on 12 Songs Of Christmas)
1954  | "It's A Dream"
b/w "The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)" (from Dance Awhile With Doggett) |  |  | Moon Dust
"There's No You"
b/w "Easy" (from The Doggett Beat For Happy Feet) |  |
"Sweet Lorraine"
b/w "Tailor Made" (from Dance Awhile With Doggett) |  |  | Dame Dreaming
"High Heels"
b/w "Sweet Slumber" (from Moon Dust) |  | 15  | Hot Doggett
"Honey"
b/w "The Nearness Of You" (from Moon Dust) |  |  | The Doggett Beat For Happy Feet
"Gumbo"
b/w "Tara's Theme" (from Moon Dust) |  |  | Hot Doggett
1955  | "My Reverie"
b/w "King Bee" (from The Doggett Beat For Happy Feet) |  |  | Moon Dust
"I'll Be Around"
b/w "Wild Oats" (from Hot Doggett) |  |
"Oof!"
b/w "Street Scene" (from Moon Dust) |  |  | Hot Doggett
"Quaker City"
b/w "True Blue" |  |
"Shove Off"
b/w "You Don't Know What Love Is" (from Moon Dust) |  |
"Honey Boy"
b/w "Misty Moon" (from Dance Awhile With Doggett) |  |
1956  | "In A Sentimental Mood"
b/w "Who's Who" (from Hot Doggett) |  |  | Candle Glow
"Squashy"
b/w "We Found Love" (from Candle Glow) |  |  | Hot Doggett
"The Bo-Do Rock"
b/w "Mean To Me"
Both sides with Earl Bostic |  |  | Non-album tracks
"What A Diff'rence A Day Made"
b/w "Stella By Starlight" (from Candle Glow) |  |  | The Doggett Beat For Happy Feet
"Honky Tonk"—Parts 1 & 2  | 2  | 1  | Everybody Dance The Honky Tonk
"Bubbins Rock"
b/w "Indiana"
Both sides with Earl Bostic |  |  | Non-album tracks
"Slow Walk"
b/w "Hand In Hand" (from Candle Glow) | 26  | 4  | Everybody Dance The Honky Tonk
"Honky Tonk" (Vocals by Tommy Brown)
b/w "Peacock Alley" (from Everybody Dance The Honky Tonk) |  |  | The Many Moods Of Bill Doggett
1957  | "Ram-Bunk-Shush"
b/w "Blue Largo" (from The Many Moods Of Bill Doggett) | 67  | 10  | The Doggett Beat For Happy Feet
"Chloe"
b/w "Number Three" (from Everybody Dance The Honky Tonk) |  |
"Ding Dong"
b/w "Cling To Me" (from Candle Glow) |  |
"Shindig"
b/w "Hammer Head" |  |
"Soft"
b/w "Hot Ginger" | 35  | 11
"Leaps and Bounds"—Part 1
b/w Part 2 |  | 13  | Everybody Dance The Honky Tonk
1958  | "Hippy Dippy"
b/w "Flying Home" (from Dance Awhile With Doggett) |  |  | Hold It!
"Boo-Da-Ba"
b/w "Pimento" |  |
"Blues For Handy"
b/w "How Could You" (from Dance Awhile With Doggett) |  |
"Blip Blop"
b/w "Tanya" | 82  | 11
"Hold It"
b/w "Birdie" | 92  | 3
"Rainbow Riot"—Part 1
b/w Part 2 |  | 15
1959  | "Monster Party"
b/w "Scott's Bluff" |  | 27  | High and Wide
"Ocean Liner"
b/w "The Madison" |  |  | On Tour
"After Hours"
b/w "Big City Drag" |  |  | Big City Dance Party
"Yocky Dock"—Part 1
b/w Part 2 |  | 30  | On Tour
"Goofy Organ"
b/w "Zee" (from On Tour) |  |  | Back Again With More Bill Doggett
"Smokie"—Part 2
b/w "Evening Dreams" (from On Tour) | 95  |
1960  | "Raw Turkey"
b/w "Back Woods" (Non-album track) |  |  | On Tour
"Smoochie"
"Big Boy" (from Everybody Dance The Honky Tonk) |  |  | Dance Awhile With Doggett
"The Slush"
b/w "Buttered Popcorn" |  |  | Back Again With More Bill Doggett
"Trav'lin Light"
b/w "A Lover's Dream" (from The Many Moods Of Bill Doggett) |  |  | For Reminiscent Lovers, Romantic Songs
"Slidin'"
b/w "Afternoon Jump" (from Everybody Dance The Honky Tonk) |  |  | Back Again With More Bill Doggett
"Earl's Dog" (With Earl Bostic)
B-side by Earl Bostic: "Special Delivery Stomp" |  |  | Non-album tracks
"(Let's Do) The Hully Gully Twist"
b/w "Jackrabbit" | 66  |  | 3,046 People Danced 'Til 4 AM
1961  | "Honky Tonk"—Part 2
b/w "Floyd's Guitar Blues" (from Big City Dance Party) | 57  | 21  | Everybody Dance The Honky Tonk
"Let's Do The Continental"
b/w "Pony Walk" |  |  | The Band With The Beat
"You Can't Sit Down"—Part 1
b/w Part 2 |  |  | 3,046 People Danced 'Til 4 AM
"The Doodle"
b/w "Bugle Nose" |  |  | Back Again With More Bill Doggett
"High and Wide"
b/w "In The Wee Hours" |  |  | High and Wide
1962  | "The Doodle Twist"
b/w "Gene's Dream" |  |  | Non-album tracks
"Lady's Choice"
b/w "Buster" |  |  | Oops! The Swinging Sounds Of Bill Doggett and His Combo
"George Washington Twist"
b/w "Eleven O'clock Twist" |  |  | The Many Moods Of Bill Doggett
"Moondust"
b/w "Teardrops" (from Candle Glow) |  |  | Moon Dust
"Oops"
b/w "Choo Choo" |  |  | Oops! The Swinging Sounds Of Bill Doggett and His Combo
"For All We Know"
b/w "Hometown Shout" (from On Tour) |  |  | For Reminiscent Lovers, Romantic Songs
1963  | "Soda Pop"
b/w "Ham Fat" |  |  | Prelude To The Blues
"Honky Tonk Bossa Nova"—Part 2
b/w "Ocean Liner Bossa Nova" |  |  | American Songs In Bossa Nova Style
"Down Home Bossa Nova"
b/w "Si-Si-Nova" |  |
"Groovy Movie"
b/w "The Fog" (from The Many Moods Of Bill Doggett) |  |  | Impressions
"The Worm"
b/w "Hot Fudge" |  |  | Fingertips
1964  | "Fat Back"
b/w "Si Si Cisco" |  |  | Non-album tracks
"Night Train"—Part 1
b/w Part 2 |  |  | Back Again With More Bill Doggett
"Hey, Big Boy, Hey Hey"
b/w "The Rail" (from Big City Dance Party) |  |  | The Best Of Bill Doggett
"Crackers"
b/w "That's Enough, Lock 'Em Up"  |  |
"The Kicker"
b/w "Mudcat" |  |  | Wow!
"Snuff Box"
b/w "Blood Pressure" (Non-album track) |  |  | The Best Of Bill Doggett
1965  | "Slidin'"
b/w "Teardrops" |  |  | Bonanza Of 24 Songs
1967  | "Sapphire"
b/w "Ko-Ko" |  |  | Honky Tonk A-La Mod!
"Lovin' Mood"
b/w "The Funky Whistler" |  |  | Non-album tracks
1969  | "Twenty-Five Miles"
b/w "For Once In My Life" (Non-album track) |  |  | Honky Tonk Popcorn
"Honky Tonk Popcorn"
b/w "Honky Tonk" |  |
1970  | "The Nearness Of You"
"Moondust" |  |  | The Nearness Of You
1971  | "Eventide"
b/w "In A Sentimental Mood"  |  |  | Sentimental Mood

### 7" EPs (all on King)[edit]

* KEP-259 Bill Doggett, His Organ And Combo, Vol. 1 (1954)
* KEP-325 Bill Doggett, His Organ And Combo, Vol. 2 (1954)
* KEP-326 Bill Doggett, His Organ And Combo, Vol. 3 (1954)
* KEP-334 Bill Doggett, His Organ And Combo, Vol. 4 (1955)
* KEP-346 All Time Christmas Favorites (1955)
* KEP-352 Bill Doggett, His Organ And Combo, Vol. 5 (1955)
* KEP-382 Doggett Dreams, Vol. 6 (1956)
* KEP-388 Doggett Jumps, Vol. 7 (1956)
* KEP-390 Bill Doggett, His Organ And Combo: Honky Tonk! (1956)
* KEP-391 Bill Doggett, Volume 1 (1956)
* KEP-392 Bill Doggett, Volume 2 (1956)
* KEP-393 Bill Doggett, Volume 3 (1956)
* KEP-394 As You Desire Me (Volume 1) (1956)
* KEP-395 As You Desire Me (Volume 2) (1956)
* KEP-396 As You Desire Me (Volume 3) (1956)
* KEP-397 Earl Bostic – Bill Doggett (1956)
* KEP-399 A Salute To Ellington (Volume 1) (1957)
* KEP-400 A Salute To Ellington (Volume 2) (1957)
* KEP-401 A Salute To Ellington (Volume 3) (1957)
* KEP-402 Dame Dreaming (Volume 1) (1957)
* KEP-403 Dame Dreaming (Volume 2) (1957)
* KEP-404 Dame Dreaming (Volume 3) (1957)
* KEP-407 Bill Doggett, His Organ And Combo: Hot Doggett (1957)
* KEP-408 Bill Doggett, His Organ And Combo: Soft (1957)
* KEP-424 Hold It! (Volume 1) (1958)
* KEP-425 Hold It! (Volume 2) (1958)
* KEP-426 Hold It! (Volume 3) (1958)
* KEP-442 High And Wide (Volume 1) (1959)
* KEP-443 High And Wide (Volume 2) (1959)
* KEP-444 High And Wide (Volume 3) (1959)
* KEP-448 Big City Dance Party (Volume 1) (1959)
* KEP-449 Big City Dance Party (Volume 2) (1959)
* KEP-450 Big City Dance Party (Volume 3) (1959)

### 10" LPs[edit]

* Bill Doggett, His Organ And Combo, Volume 1 King 295-82 (1954)
* Bill Doggett, His Organ And Combo, Volume 2 King 295-83 (1954)
* All Time Christmas Favorites King 295-89 (1954)
* Sentimentally Yours King 295-102 (1955)

### 12" LPs[edit]

* Moon Dust King 395-502 (1956)
* Hot Doggett King 395-514 (1956)
* As You Desire Me King 395-523 (1956) [reissue of King 295-102 plus 4 additional tracks]
* Everybody Dance the Honky Tonk King 395-531 (1956)
* Dame Dreaming King 395-532 (1957)
* A Salute to Ellington King 533 (1957)
* Doggett Beat for Dancing Feet King 557 (1957)
* Candle Glow King 563 (1958)
* Swingin' Easy King 582 (1958)
* Dance Awhile with Doggett King 585 (1958)
* 12 Songs Of Christmas King 600 (1958) [reissue of King 295-89 plus 6 additional tracks]
* Hold It! King 609 (1959)
* High And Wide King 633 (1959)
* Big City Dance Party King 641 (1959)
* Bill Doggett on Tour [this is NOT a live album] King 667 (1959)
* For Reminiscent Lovers, Romantic Songs By Bill Doggett King 706 (1960)
* Back With More Bill Doggett King 723 (1960)
* The Many Moods Of Bill Doggett King 778 (1962)
* Bill Doggett Plays American Songs, Bossa Nova Style King 830 (1963)
* Impressions [compilation] King 868 (1963)
* The Best Of Bill Doggett [compilation] King 908 (1964)
* Bonanza Of 24 Songs [compilation] King 959 (1966)
* Take Your Shot King 1041 (1969)
* Honky Tonk Popcorn King 1078 (1970)
* The Nearness Of You [compilation] King 1097 (1970)
* Ram-Bunk-Shush [compilation] King 1101 (1970)
* Sentimental Mood [compilation] King 1104 (1971)
* Soft [compilation] King 1108 (1971)
* 14 Original Greatest Hits [compilation; reissued as All His Hits] King-Starday 5009 (1977)
* Charles Brown: PLEASE COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS [this vocal album includes 4 instrumental tracks by Bill Doggett] King-Starday 5019 (1978)

### 12" LPs issued by other labels[edit]

* 3,046 People Danced 'Til 4 A.M. To Bill Doggett [this is a live album] Warner Bros. WS-1404 (1961)
* The Band With The Beat! Warner Bros. WS-1421 (1961)
* Bill Doggett Swings Warner Bros. WS-1452 (1962)
* Rhythm Is My Business (Ella Fitzgerald with Bill Doggett) Verve V6-4056 (1962)
* Oops! The Swinging Sounds Of Bill Doggett Columbia CL-1814/CS-8614 (1962)
* Prelude To The Blues Columbia CL-1942/CS-8742 (1963)
* Fingertips Columbia CL-2082/CS-8882 (1963)
* Wow! ABC-Paramount S-507 (1964)
* Honky Tonk A-La-Mod! Roulette SR-25330 (1966)
* Bill Doggett Disques Black And Blue 33.029 (1971) - later released on CD as I Don't Know Much About Love (Black & Blue 59.029) in 1991.
* Bill Doggett feat. Eddie Davis & Eddie Vinson Disques Black And Blue 33.138 (1978) - with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson
* Midnight Slows, Vol. 9 Disques Black And Blue 33.145 (1978)
* Midnight Slows, Vol. 10 Disques Black And Blue 33.160 (1979) - with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
* Mister Honky Tonk Disques Black And Blue 33.562 (1980)
* The Right Choice After Hours/Ichiban AFT-4112 (1991) - note: this is Doggett's last recorded album of original material; also released on CD.

### CD releases/compilations of note[edit]

* Gon' Doggett Charly R&B CRB-1094 [LP] (1985)
* Trading Licks Charly R&B CD-51 (1987) [shared CD with Earl Bostic; 12 tracks by Doggett and 8 tracks by Bostic; all King material]
* Leaps And Bounds Charly R&B CD-281 (1991)
* The EP Collection See For Miles SEECD-689 (1999)
* Everyday, I Have The Blues (The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions) Black & Blue BB-911 (2002)
* Honky Tonk: The Very Best Of Bill Doggett Collectables 2876 (2004)
* The Chronological Bill Doggett 1952-1953 Classics (Blues & Rhythm Series) 5097 (2004)
* Am I Blue Black & Blue BB-468 (2005)
* The Chronological Bill Doggett 1954 Classics (Blues & Rhythm Series) 5175 (2006)
* Honky Tonk Popcorn Beat Goes Public/BGP CDBGPD-249 (2012) reissue of King 1078 plus 5 bonus tracks.
* Everybody Dance The Honky Tonk/Doggett Beat For Dancing Feet Soul Jam 806174 (2019) 2LP-on-1CD
* Dancing With Doggett: Bill Doggett, His Organ & Combo 1955-1960 Jasmine JASMCD-3142 (2019) - compilation that also includes the entire 3,046 People Danced 'Til 4 A.M. album.

### As sideman[edit]

With Ella Fitzgerald

* Lullabies of Birdland (Decca DL-8149, 1945–1955 [rel. 1956]) note: includes "Rough Ridin'", "Smooth Sailing", and "Air Mail Special" with Doggett on organ.

With Coleman Hawkins

* The Hawk Talks (Decca DL-8127, 1952–1953 [rel. 1955])

With Helen Humes

* Complete 1927–1950 Studio Recordings (Jazz Factory JFCD-22844, 2001) 3-CD set - note: includes the 5 tracks that Humes recorded with Doggett's octet for Philo/Aladdin in 1945: "Unlucky Woman", "Every Now And Then", "He May Be Your Man", "Blue Prelude", and "Be-Baba-Leba".

With Willis Jackson

* Call of the Gators (Delmark, DD-460, 1949–1950 Apollo recordings [rel. 1992])

With Illinois Jacquet

* Illinois Jacquet And His Tenor Sax (Aladdin LP-708 [10-inch], 1945–1947 [rel. 1954]; Aladdin LP-803 [rel. 1956]; Imperial LP-9184/LP-12184 [rel. 1962])

With Louis Jordan

* Jivin' with Jordan (Proper Box 47, 1938–1951 Decca recordings [rel. 2002]) 4-CD set

With Lucky Millinder

* The Chronological Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra 1941–1942 (Classics 712, 1993)
* The Chronological Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra 1943–1947 (Classics 1026, 1998)

With Paul Quinichette

* The Vice Pres (EmArcy MG-36027, 1951–1952 [rel. 1954])

With Buddy Tate

* Jumping on the West Coast (Black Lion 760175, 1947–1949 Supreme recordings [rel. 1992])

With Lucky Thompson

* The Chronological Lucky Thompson 1944–1947 (Classics 1113, 2000)

## See also[edit]

* Biography portal

* Chicago Blues Festival

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c d Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 1996 - 1997". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
2. ^ a b c d e f Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 384\. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
3. ^ Harris, Craig. "Bill Doggett Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
4. ^ Seymour, Gene (November 21, 1996). "From the archive: Blues musician Bill Doggett dies". Newsday. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
5. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 81. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
6. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 31\. CN 5585.

## External links[edit]

* Bill Doggett recordings at the Discography of American Historical Recordings.
* History of Rock
* Bill Doggett at Find a Grave

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