Bill Allan

Bill Allen (June 5, 1937 – February 22, 2013) was an American rockabilly musician best known as the lead vocalist of The Back Beats, with whom he recorded the 1958 single, "Please Give Me Something." Various music commentators have noted Allen's raw, energetic musical qualities. Music writer Koh-1 compared the song's "hiccup-style vocals and echo-drenched guitar" with "garage rock and punk as well," while Steve Kelemen of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame called it "one of the wildest rockabilly recordings ever made." Additionally, the Rubber City Review described it as "one of the best examples" of raw, high-energy rock and roll, leading to its being covered by various artists in psychobilly and punk-influenced styles. The Rubber City Review also described the song as "one of the best examples of the form" and as an influence on The Cramps, whose frontman, Lux Interior, was also from Akron.

Biography Wilfred Allen Snivley was born on June 5, 1937, in Portage Lakes, Ohio, across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, leading to the Keynotes touring alongside Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison in 1957. The single gained enough commercial momentum to be listed on The Billboard Honor Roll of Hits in April 1957.

However, Andy Williams's recording of "Butterfly" on Cadence Records surged to number one nationally, overshadowing Allen's version, and Eldorado's distribution network had collapsed by 1961.

"Please Give Me Something" (1958) with The Back Beats

After the Keynotes disbanded, Allen formed a new group with Seli and drummer Dean Hanley, recording as Bill Allen and the Back Beats. They cut two sides at an advertising studio at Akron radio station WCUE using minimal equipment: Seli played a Gibson Les Paul through a Fender Bassman, Allen handled rhythm guitar through a Fender reverb unit, while Hanley improvised percussion using a muted snare, a desktop, and a telephone book.

Allen continued performing for decades in the Akron area and as a solo entertainer in resort venues and beach bars, particularly in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Psychobilly band Guana Batz recorded a version for their 1985 debut Held Down to Vinyl... At Last!.

Discography

Singles

Year Label Catalog A-side B-side 1957 Eldorado Records — "Butterfly" "Oo-Wee Baby"(as Bill Allen and the Keynotes) 1958 Imperial Records X5500 "Since I Have You" "Please Give Me Something"(as Bill Allen and the Back Beats)

Compilations containing "Please Give Me Something"

That'll Flat Git It! Vol. 12: Rockabilly From the Vaults of Imperial Records (Bear Family Records) The Roots of the Cramps Born Bad: Songs the Cramps Taught Us, Vol. 4 Keb Darge & Little Edith's Legendary Wild Rockers 4 (BBE Music, 2014)