Turley Richards

Last updated
Turley Richards
Born Charleston, West Virginia, United States
Genres Folk, rock, disco, funk, rhythm and blues
Occupation(s)Singer, musician
Instruments Vocals, guitar
Years active1959–present
Labels Fraternity, MGM, 20th Century Fox, Columbia, Warner Bros., Silba, Epic, Atlantic, Vitag, Kiongazi Music
Member ofHarmonious Funk
Formerly ofThe Five Pearls, The Kingsmen, The Greg Foresman Band
Website Turley's Place

Turley Richards (born Richard Curtis Turley; June 12, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist.

Contents

Richards was born in Charleston, West Virginia. He was blinded in the left eye at the age of four in an archery accident and lost sight in the right eye as well at the age of twenty-nine. He began playing in a group called The Five Pearls while still a teen in the 1950s. [1]

His first appearance on record was in 1959, a single titled "All About Ann", released on label Fraternity Records. "Makin' Love With My Baby", also released by Fraternity Records, followed later that year. Richards was named a Rockabilly Legend in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame for this song. [2]

He moved to Los Angeles with an ensemble in the early 1960s, but his band failed and he returned to West Virginia. Later in the 1960s he moved to New York City, playing upper East Side bars and eventually finding success. [1] He toured with The Kingsmen in 1967 [3] and appeared on The Johnny Carson Show in 1969 performing "Summertime". [4] Known as the "West Virginia Superstar", [1] his debut album was released on Warner Bros. Records in 1970, and he scored two minor hit singles in the early 1970s. Further releases followed later in the decade, as did a third hit in 1980. [5]

Richards made the first recording of Tom Snow and Nan O'Byrne's "You Might Need Somebody", which was subsequently a UK hit twice, reaching No. 11 for Randy Crawford in 1981 and No. 4 for Shola Ama in 1997. [6]

His autobiography, Blindsighted, was published in 2014. Richards resides in the Louisville, Kentucky area where he still performs. He also acts a vocal coach with some of his students making it to the finals of The Voice and American Idol . [7]

Discography

Albums

Singles

As Richard Turley

As Turley Richards

EPs

Appearances

U.S. releases only. [g]

Producer

Albums

Singles

Discography notes
  1. ↑ Live concert at Bellarmine College.
  2. ↑ Produced by Mick Fleetwood. Cover art by Lindsay Buckingham also used for 2014 autobiography cover.
  3. ↑ A 6-song CD with the same title was included with his 2014 autobiography.
  4. ↑ With the All American Boy's Orchestra.
  5. ↑ With Gary Hawks and the Travelers.
  6. ↑ Includes "Skin Fever (Extended Dance Version)", "Skin Fever (Edited Version)", and "Skin Fever (Instrumental)".
  7. ↑ Multiple appearances on compilations released in Germany, France, UK, Venezuela, Japan, and Uruguay.
  8. ↑ Co-producer; reissued in 1986 on Reunion.
  9. ↑ Tribute to University of Louisville basketball. Rewrite of "Wabash Cannonball".
  10. ↑ Tribute to University of Louisville basketball. Rewrite of "The Battle of New Orleans".

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Turley Richards Bio". Turley's Place. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Rockabilly Hall of Fame". Rockabillyhall.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  3. ↑ Peterson, Dick. "History of the Kingsmen Personnel". The Kingsmen Official Site. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Best interview in the world: Turley Richards talks openly about seeing the world while blind". LEO Weekly. June 13, 2006. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Whitburn, Joel (2015). The Comparison Book Billboard/Cash Box/Record World 1954-1982. Ann Arbor: Sheridan Books. ISBN   978-0-89820-213-7.
  6. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  7. ↑ Howlett, Rick (December 8, 2014). "Louisville Musician Turley Richards Discusses His Autobiography". Louisville Public Media. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  8. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Singles - May 2, 1970" (PDF).
  9. 1 2 Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 252. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
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