roy head

Biography

Roy Kent Head was born on January 9, 1941, in Three Rivers, Texas, to a sharecropping family. Growing up in a musically rich environment, he was exposed to a wide variety of genres through his small radio, including early Rhythm & Blues, country, and rockabilly. His childhood friends, who were mostly Black, introduced him to artists like Elmore James, Bobby Bland, and Little Junior Parker, while his mother's love for the Louisiana Hayride exposed him to country legends such as Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb. Head began performing in high school, forming his first band, The Traits, in San Marcos, Texas, around 1956. The band's early sound blended rockabilly, R&B, and rock and roll, reflecting the eclectic musical landscape of Texas.

Roy Head & The Traits achieved international fame in 1965 with their hit 'Treat Her Right,' a song that combined rockabilly and R&B and reached #2 on the pop charts. Head's dynamic stage presence, characterized by wild antics and energetic performances, set him apart as a unique figure in American music. After the band split in 1966, Head pursued a solo career, recording for labels such as Mercury, Elektra, and Texas Crude, and later found success in country music with hits like 'Baby’s Not Home' in the 1970s. He continued to perform regularly, maintaining a reputation for unpredictable and entertaining live shows well into his later years. Roy Head passed away on September 21, 2020, in Texas, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering figure in the fusion of rockabilly and soul.

Fun Facts

• Roy Head was known for his wild stage antics, including somersaults and backwards rolls, and would often forget lyrics during performances, reverting to his hit 'Treat Her Right.'
• He was sometimes called 'the greatest white soul man of all time' for his powerful and soulful vocal style.
• Head's band, The Traits, originally had up to twenty-four members, all wearing spangled shirts paid for by the parents of a member whose family owned a funeral home.
• He continued performing into his later years, with legendary appearances at events like the Ponderosa Stomp in New Orleans.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Elmore James - early musical influence (blues recordings) [1950s]
• Bobby Bland - early musical influence (R&B recordings) [1950s]
• Little Junior Parker - early musical influence (blues recordings) [1950s]
• Little Richard - stylistic influence (rock and roll recordings) [1950s]
• Little Willie John - stylistic influence (R&B recordings) [1950s]

Key Collaborators

• The Traits - original band (Treat Her Right, Back Beat singles) [1956–1966]
• Jerry Gibson - drummer for The Traits, later with Sly & the Family Stone (Traits recordings) [1958–1966]
• Huey Meaux - record producer (Treat Her Right, Back Beat recordings) [1965]
• Boo Frazier - producer (Mercury recordings) [1967–1968]
• Chips Moman - producer (Mercury recordings) [1968]

Artists Influenced

• B.J. Thomas - Head introduced him to performing (early performances) [1950s]
• Country and rockabilly artists - Head's fusion of genres influenced later musicians (various) [1960s–1980s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Treat Her Right (Still Treatin' 'Em Right)
2. Treat Her Right
3. Wigglin' And Gigglin'
4. Apple Of My Eye
5. Just A Little Bit (Treat Me Right)
6. Live It Up
7. Teenage Letter
8. Treat Her Right (Last Time Around)
9. Driving Wheel
10. Feels Like Rain (Last Time Around)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia