Bandstand Stories

One evening in 1946, when he was supposed to be in bed, a very young Billy Moore climbed stealthily out of the second story window of his room and on to a nearby tree. Shinnying down the trunk, he climbed onto his waiting bicycle and rode into the frosty night.

His destination was a club called the "Two-Spot!"

Appearing on stage that night was the Buddy Johnson Orchestra, a 16 member group which included Arthur Prysock and "Mr. Foots" on drums. Billy, with no money in his jeans, climbed up on an empty oil drum and peeked over a transom to witness the fun. Much later in the night, when the fun was over, a very chilly but thoroughly satisfied Billy Moore once again climbed on his bike and headed home.

He climbed the tree and quietly slipped through his window. Even more quietly he tip-toed to his bed, removed his clothing and slipped between the covers only to discover his mother there waiting for him!! Mrs. Moore called in Billy's irate father so the fearful tongue lashing could begin.

After being asked where he'd been, Billy finally admitted he'd been to see Buddy Johnson's Orchestra at the "Two Spot." Billy received the expected lecture, and afterwards, an unexpected surprise. His parents had decided that it was time for his music education to begin, this time in a planned...and safe...manner.

His mom (known professionally as Dr. Moore, was a classically trained concert pianist), would take him to see concerts and productions of serious classical music, and his dad would take him to hear bands, combos and jazz performers. Billy's dad, in addition to having his degree in chemistry, was also a jazz pianist and an alumnus of the legendary Jimmy Lunceford Orchestra.

During one outing, Billy's mom took him to Carnegie Hall to see the great Marian Anderson. He sat in that huge hall in total awe, his head never still as it swiveled this way and that, taking in the sights. Sometime later he whispered to his mother, "Momma, one day I'm going to play in this place!"

"That's good," she answered, "you just go on and have your dreams." The odds of a black man appearing on stage at Carnegie Hall were not very great in the late 40s, but she did nothing to discourage her young dreamer.

Fast forward to May 7, 1966. The Ray Charles Orchestra is about to take the stage at Carnegie Hall. The lights dim, the curtains open and the spotlight falls on Billy Moore. Alone on stage, Billy is doing a bit of "business" that will shortly bring on the entire Ray Charles Orchestra. As the orchestra members slip on to the stage and take their seats, the announcer says, "Ladies and Gentlemen...Mr. Billy Moore!"

Billy Moore with Ray Charles

From down front in the "Golden Horseshoe," a very proud mother stood up, raised her hands to heaven and loudly proclaimed before all the world..."Thank you Jesus!"

There's a postscript to this story.

The drummer is always the last to board the band bus after a gig because he has the most equipment to pack. For a long time after the Carnegie Hall gig Billy was enthusiastically greeted onto the bus by a chorus of "Thank you Jesus!" by his fellow band members.

Return to Story Archive Menu