Jazz Articles about Billy Boy Arnold

Billy Boy Arnold: Catfish

by Derek Taylor
December 1, 2000

Bluesman Billy Boy Arnold’s first big break came when he teamed with his friend Ellas McDaniel (better known as Bo Diddley) cut a demo tape for Chess Records in 1955. Thanks to the fickle preferences of Leonard Chess Diddley ended up with a record contract and Arnold was left holding the bag. It was a precedent that would shadow Arnold for much of his career, keeping him out of the spotlight and making the documentation of his work sporadic. Fortunately ...