A Tribute to a Beautiful Soul
March 21, 2021 - Rip it up! Billy Michael Staton London. Actually Michael Staton was AKA Billy London. The man loved to rock! It's what he did his entire life. I found out today that Billy passed. I talked to Billy three days ago for the first time in over three years. He called out of the blue and was not doing well. He told me he had COVID three times. I'm not sure if this was accurate as he wasn't himself but we talked for while and he then told me he had to go because his effing nurse was bugging him. He was in a medical facility after being in a coma for ten days but he was on the mend. But more importantly, he wanted to go home but wasn't allowed to because his 97 year old mother would be in danger. I told him to stay in touch and he said he would. I didn't talk to him again but yesterday I did hear a song on Sirius XM radio he played on, the great Stephen Bishop hit song from the 70's, "On and On". That was Billy's way of staying in touch...
In 2010, I got a call from a guy named Billy London who played rockabilly. I had placed an ad on Craig's List as an available drummer as I was leaving a great band that I had been in for 15 years. I needed a change. Billy's offer of an audition would certainly be a change for me. I had been primarily a Rock and funk drummer since 1966. Rockabilly? Not so much but I loved the music.
Billy auditioned me at my house and what a character he was. Just me and him. And boy did he love to talk. What a fascinating person. He and his brother, Jeff Jones (Jeff Staton) had a band in 70's in the Bay Area called the Staton Brothers Band. Great musicianship and a great band, they eventually headed to LA and hooked up with the fantastic Stephen Bishop and the ride started for the brothers. Both great singers, guitarist's and songwriters in their own right, they became members in Stephen's band. Soon, Stephen had a number one hit called "On and On". Billy was featured on pedal steel guitar which was to me, the focal part of the song. Great song. I still love it to this day.
After living the rock star life with the Stephen Bishop band, the brothers became members of the touring band of The Monkees and would tour the world in 1987. I'll always remember the the stories Billy shared.
I passed the audition and soon we began rehearsing as a rockabilly trio with the great Chris Aikin on bass. It was an always an education with Billy and I had a great time. Billy was an encyclopedia when it came to music and could play any song you threw at him. Truly amazing! I continued to play with him for a couple of years but soon my other two bands would become a priority with me. Billy began using different players, all excellent musicians. His main drummer became Gene Pardue, who was Eddie Money's original drummer. Also, On standup bass, he often used Robert (Flaco) Shaw and Andy Bergman. They all knew and understood Billy's love for rockabilly music. He was one of a kind. Condolences to Jeff and his mom.
Rest Billy Mike!
Dan Hertlein
These are videos of Billy London & The Lucky Dice when I was with the trio back in 2011. Great fun. I miss him already!