Billy Nichols
| Billy Nichols (aka Papadollabill) | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | William Lee Nichols |
| Born | 1940 Carrollton, Mississippi, United States |
| Genres | R&B, disco, pop, urban |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter, composer, artist |
| Instruments | Bass, drums, keyboards, guitar |
| Associated acts | B.T. Express |
William Lee "Billy" Nichols is guitarist and soul songwriter from in Carrollton, Mississippi.
Nichols was one of nine children born to Laura Bell and Tom Sanders. Sanders was a farmer who played blues guitar in his spare time. Inspired by his father and blues musicians he heard on the radio, Nichols taught himself guitar.
Aged 14, Nichols' family moved to Springfield, Massachusetts where Nichols played with various bands including a gospel group named The Bells of Harmony.
In 1963, Nichols joined Jimmy Vick and The Victors and recorded a single. The group were mentioned in Billboard and got some local radio airplay but by November, the group broke up.
In 1964, Nichols moved to Detroit and stayed with his uncle. He was hired by Motown Records where his first job was playing with Martha and the Vandellas. Nichols was also in the Motown Road Band led by Choker Campbell. In 1965 he became the musical director for Marvin Gaye.
Nichols first break as a songwriter came in 1966 when Billy Stewart took Nichols to the Chess Records in Chicago to record his song "To Love, to Love".
Becoming disenchanted with constant touring, Nichols moved to New York to lead the house band at the Crystal Ballroom. Billy Nichols and the Soul Swingers played at the Crystal Ballroom for about three years.
In 1971, Nichols led rehearsals on Galt MacDermot's Two Gentlemen of Verona musical play.
Nichols continued to compose and had his first Billboard top twenty hit in 1972 when Millie Jackson recorded "Ask Me What You Want".
Nichols most successful period came working with B.T. Express. "Do It (Til You're Satisfied)" recorded and released in 1974. Nichols went on to write and produce other songs for the group such as "Can't Stop Groovin'" and "Shout It Out".
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