Billy Small Australia

Petertaylor · 12-25-2012, 04:48 PM

Does anybody have any knowledge of singer Billy Small from Sydney Australia back in the 60's.
He was one of the best performers I have ever seen and just seemed to disappear.
I know he was on a couple of the TV rock shows of the day, but I tried the TV stations and there was very little film kept in those days.

He was really popular at the surf dances in the Little Patti and Delltones era.

Would love to hear if he is still around or if there are any recordings or videos around.
Thanks
Peter Taylor

ejoseph · 01-21-2013, 09:35 PM

I was "Billy Small's"girlfriend at the time, his real name was Bill Wheeler and he lived in Chifley Sydney. He had a great range and I think his version of Crying was better than Roy Orbison. I found out later that he had married Johnny O'Keefes cousin and used to sing regularly at a hotel in Newtown.
If you read this Bill, I still think of you a lot (don't tell my husband) and still cherish the day at a " Bob Potters dance in Maroubra when you sang "save the last dance for me" and it was meant just for me.
Eyvonne J

Amanda (Walsh) Smithers · 01-24-2013, 10:05 PM

Hi all,

I saw Billy sing save the last dance on a Johnny O'Keefe TV show, I think it may have been with Noleen Battley but am not sure. He was only young and had a baby face and a great voice.
Mandi

12-25-2012, 04:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Petertaylor Groupie Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 1	Billy Small Australia Does anybody have any knowledge of singer Billy Small from Sydney Australia back in the 60's. He was one of the best performers I have ever seen and just seemed to disappear. I know he was on a couple of the TV rock shows of the day, but I tried the TV stations and there was very little film kept in those days. He was really popular at the surf dances in the Little Patti and Delltones era. Would love to hear if he is still around or if there are any recordings or videos around. Thanks Peter Taylor

01-21-2013, 09:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
ejoseph Groupie Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 1	Billy Small I was "Billy Small's"girlfriend at the time, his real name was Bill Wheeler and he lived in Chifley Sydney. He had a great range and I think his version of Crying was better than Roy Orbison. I found out later that he had married Johnny O'Keefes cousin and used to sing regularly at a hotel in Newtown. If you read this Bill, I still think of you a lot (don't tell my husband) and still cherish the day at a " Bob Potters dance in Maroubra when you sang "save the last dance for me" and it was meant just for me. Eyvonne J

01-24-2013, 10:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
Amanda (Walsh) Smithers Groupie Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 1	Billy Small Hi all, I saw Billy sing save the last dance on a Johnny O'Keefe TV show, I think it may have been with Noleen Battley but am not sure. He was only young and had a baby face and a great voice. Mandi