Billy Livsey
Billy Livsey is an American songwriter, keyboardist, and producer originally from St. Louis, Missouri and now resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He has worked with many musicians including Tina Turner, Kevin Ayers, Phil Manzanera, 801, Gerry Rafferty,[1] Five Star, Gallagher and Lyle, Ronnie Lane, Kenny Rogers, and Rodney Crowell. Livsey played the keyboard solo on Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do with It", and keyboards on "Breakaway" and "Heart on My Sleeve" for Gallagher and Lyle, and on "How Come" for Ronnie Lane.[2] Livsey founded[3] his own publishing company called Quince Music Ltd.[4] in the 1980s, and more recently, Billy Livsey Music, both of which are still active today.
Background
[edit]Presently, Billy has a close relationship with Nashville-based recording studio Welcome to 1979 where he often works as a session keyboardist. Livsey also houses a large portion of his collection of vintage synths, keyboards, and electric pianos at the studio. At Welcome to 1979 Billy has worked on sessions with a variety of artists like Pete Townshend, Brendan Benson, and The Outer Vibe.
Career
[edit]Billy wrote the UK number 2 hit "Rain Or Shine" and the number 3 hit "System Addict", both by Five Star, and the UK number 11 hit "Give Me Your Heart Tonight" by Shakin' Stevens.[citation needed]
Working with Frank Musker, Livsey wrote "Listen to Your Heart" which was recorded by Diane Richards.[5] The production and arrangements were handled by Butch Barbella and Nick Monroe.[6] The song was a hit and peaked at no. 29 for two weeks on the Cash Box Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles chart.[7][8][9] It also got to no. 44 on the Billboard Black Singles Chart.[10][11]
Quince Music Cuts
[edit]1) "System Addict" (Five Star)
2)"You Belong To Me" (Anita Baker)
3) "Rain or Shine" (Five Star)
4) "Give Me Your Heart Tonight" (Shakin’ Stevens)
5) "Our Love" (Elkie Brooks)
6) "No One Can Love You More Than Me" (Melissa Manchester, The Weather Girls)
7) "Button Off My Shirt" (Ronnie Milsap, Paul Carrick)
8) "Are You Man Enough" (Sheena Easton)
9) "She’s Trouble" (Musical Youth)
10) "Bite the Hand That Feeds" (Paul Young)
References
[edit]- ^ Billy Livsey: Credits at AllMusic
- ^ "Billy Livsey | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
- ^ "Quince Music". Billy Livsey Music. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- ^ "Quince Music". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- ^ MusicVF.com - Songs written by Billy Livsey, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, Diane Richards 3. 1983 Listen to Your Heart by Diane Richards
- ^ Billboard, April 2, 1983 - Page 20, Radio, New On The Charts, Diane Richards
- ^ Cash Box, May 7, 1983 - Page 34 Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles May 7, 1983 29, 4/30 32, Weeks On Chart 11
- ^ Cash Box, May 14, 1983 - Page 32 Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles May 14, 1983 29, 5/7 29, Weeks On Chart 12
- ^ Cash Box, May 21, 1983 - Page 30 Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles May 21, 1983 30, 5/14 29, Weeks On Chart 13
- ^ Billboard, April 2, 1983 - Page 20, Radio, New On The Charts, Diane Richards
- ^ MusicVF.com - Songs written by Billy Livsey, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, Diane Richards 3. 1983 Listen to Your Heart by Diane Richards
- ^ "Quince Music". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-02-16.