Biography
Bill Hurley is a british singer and songwriter.
Born in London’s East End, Bill Hurley learnt the art of singing by "sitting in" with many of the capital’s traditional and Dixieland Jazz bands, starting at the age of 16. Using this experience as the groundwork for his vocal phrasing and timing he was determined to prove himself as an all-round vocalist specialising in Rhythm and Blues, Blues, Rock & Roll and ballad singing.
In the late ‘70s he formed the London band The Inmates who had a Top 40 British chart success with the single "The Walk" in 1980 and also a Top 50 US chart success with the album "First Offence" in 1980. Both these recordings were on the Radar record label. With these successful outings The Inmates went on to build a large following in Europe, particularly France, Spain, Holland and Scandinavia where the band had a Number One album in 1987 with "The Inmates Meet The Beatles".
From the period of ‘82-86 Bill Hurley left The Inmates. He recorded a highly acclaimed solo album "Double Agent" for Demon Records (Elvis Costello’s label), had two Top 40 UK chart successes as lead vocalist with JB Allstars for RCA Victor, and with his new band The Big Heat had a Top 40 UK single with the Elvis Costello produced "Watch Me Catch Fire" for A&M Records.
In June 1996, Bill’s second solo album "Angel to Memphis" was released on the indie label Last Call and received critical acclaim in Europe, particularly France, Scandinavia and Spain.
Throughout his career and up to the present, Bill has worked with and supported musical performers as diverse as Tina Turner, The Stranglers, The Jam, Shane MacGowan, Joe Jackson, The Ramones, The Cure, Elvis Costello and The Blues Brothers to name but a few.
Bill’s vocal range covers a stunning four octaves, starting with a deep, velvet rich, dark brown bass baritone, soaring to a silky smooth, emotive falsetto. In Europe he has often been quoted by music journalists as "The White Otis Redding, The White Wilson Pickett and The British Elvis Presley" because of his raw, poerful and raucous tenor voice. It is a unique and emotional voice.
Such music luminaries as Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello and Shane MacGowan have one thing in common: each and every one of them regard Bill Hurley as one of the greatest vocalists in Britain.
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