Billy & The Bop Cats
The addition of Denver guitarist Billy Lee Michaels led to a name change from Willie & The String Poppers to Billy & The Bop Cats. The lineup for the first Billy & The Bop Cats 45 on Rock-A-Billy Records was Willie Lewis, Billy Lee Michaels, Donnie Montoya, Eddie Valdez, & Little Joey Sanchez.
R-105: Rock ‘n Roll Fever / Working Man’s Blues
Listen to:
R-105: Rock ‘n Roll Fever:
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The next Billy & The Bop Cats record featured members of the Denver band, The Jinns. The lineup was Willie Lewis, Todd Wulfmeyer, Pete Nalty, Brian Nalty, Tim Kaesemacher & Eddie Valdez.
R-106: Mary Lou Rock / I’m Out
R-106: Mary Lou Rock:
A very popular record in Denver. Copies were worn out in the jukebox at Pete’s Kitchen on Colfax.
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The third Billy & The Bop Cats 45 was a split. The A-side was Billy & The Bop Cats, Willie Lewis with Derek & David Peterson of Denver’s Kidd Pharoah. The B-side was by Willie, Kevin & Todd (Willie Lewis, Kevin Smith and Todd Wulfmeyer)
R-112: Charlene / Be My Baby (b-side by Willie, Kevin & Todd)
Willie, Kevin & Todd:
R-112: Be My Baby:
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First compilation CD on Goofin’ Records:
GRCD 6036: Rock-A-Billy Record Co. Sampler:
Mary Lou Rock
2nd compilation CD on Goofin’:
GRCD 6064: The Complete Rock-A-Billy Sessions:
Rock’n’roll Fever / Working Man’s Blues / Mary Lou Rock / I’m Out / The Sore Finger Blues
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Billy Lee Michaels has released other 45s, one of them is this Denver Bronco’s tribute 45
under the name Tony Mandarin & The Mile High Rockers on Bronco blue and orange vinyl
on Denver’s Stofer Records.
Tony Mandarin & The Mile High Rockers – Bronco Rock
Tony Mandarin & The Mile High Rockers – Mile High Rock