Performer and studio musician Billy Lee Riley died Sunday in Jonesboro, Ark., of complications from colon cancer that had spread to his bones, according to the Associated Press. He was 75. Riley was one of the early stars at Memphis’s Sun Records, recording singles like “Red Hot” and “Flyin’ Saucers Rock & Roll.” He and his band also played alongside Jerry Lee Lewis on “Great Balls of Fire,” and Riley later moved to Los Angeles to serve as a studio musician for acts like the Beach Boys, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin.
Aug 3
2009
05:01 PM ET
Sun Records performer Billy Lee Riley dead at 75
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