Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams (1915-2002)

February 24, 2012 
/ Contributed By: Earl Williams

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Hucklebuck Williams

Image courtesy Lisa Y. Williams

Saxophonist, bandleader and songwriter Paul Williams was a performer at The Moondog Coronation Ball in Cleveland in 1952, considered to be the first rock concert. He has been recognized as a pioneer in the American music industry.

Paul Williams was born on July 13, 1915 in Lewisburg, Tennessee. His parents were Will E. Jones and Flora Williams.  His family moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky when he was two and to Detroit, Michigan when he was 13. Williams learned to play the saxophone after his mother gave him one as a Christmas gift when he was 15.  He honed his craft thru private lessons, playing in his high school ensembles and eventually performing in gigs at Detroit clubs.

In 1948, at the age of 33, Williams recorded “The Hucklebuck,” an instrumental considered by many music historians to be an important precursor to rock ‘n’ roll. At a time when record companies promoted “race” records only among African Americans, Williams’ song became a major crossover hit among both black and white audiences. “The Hucklebuck” stayed at the top of the charts for 32 weeks, and from that point on he was known as Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams.

By the early 1950s Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams and his Orchestra were regularly featured at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. They were the backup band for artists such as Big Joe Turner, Dinah Washington, Amos Milburn and Ruth Brown. They were also featured in the Apollo Theater’s film Rhythm and Blues Revue (1955).

On March 21, 1952 Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams and his Orchestra became a part of rock ‘n’ roll history when they performed at The Moondog Coronation Ball at the Cleveland Arena, promoted by disc jockey Alan Freed. This is often considered to be the music industry’s first rock concert. Because of rampant gate crashing and overcrowding, fire marshals stopped the Coronation Ball shortly after it began. The Orchestra was the only act that performed that night.

By the 1980s Williams’ contributions to the rise of a new musical genre were increasingly recognized by music historians and fans. In 1986 he participated as a guest speaker, panelist and performer at a Smithsonian Institution symposium entitled “Rhythm and Blues: 1945-1955,” held at the National Museum of American History.

In 1992 Williams received three important honors. He was invited back to Cleveland where he participated in the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Alan Freed’s Moondog Coronation Ball and was honored with a resolution of welcome from the Cleveland City Council. The Rhythm and Blues Foundation honored Mr. Williams with their Pioneer Award in recognition of his artistry and lifelong contributions to rhythm and blues music. Also in December of the same year, The Paul Hucklebuck Williams story was featured in a Life magazine special issue on 40 years of rock ‘n’ roll.

Paul Williams married Evelyn Webb on September 16, 1935. They had two sons, Paul and Earl.  Williams also had a son and daughter, Eric and Erin, from a relationship with Erma Atkins.

Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams died on September 14, 2002 at Englewood Hospital in Englewood, New Jersey.

About the Author

Author Profile

Earl Williams, a native of Detroit, Michigan, began studying drums at the age of eleven. He studied at the Detroit Conservatory of Music and the Detroit Institute of Musical Arts. At age fourteen, Mr. Williams began playing professionally around Detroit.

A year after graduating from high school, Mr. Williams left Detroit to tour with his father’s (Paul “Hucklebuck”
Williams) big band. While with the band he played with such artists as Ruth Brown, Chuck Berry, Paul Anka, Frankie Avalon, Sam Cooke, and Big Joe Turner.

After leaving his father’s band and moving to New York, he joined pianist Eddie Heywood. He worked with the top artists of the day, eventually working as the house drummer at New York’s famous Apollo Theatre. Mr. Williams soon became very active as a studio musician performing on all types of recordings including radio and television commercials and Broadway shows.

Mr. Williams was active in promoting jazz in schools, colleges, and cultural institutions. He served as artist in residence at The Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute and Doane College, and as an adjunct lecturer at New York University and Bronx Community College. He also served as adjunct instructor at SUNY at Old Westbury and Five Towns College. Earl Williams passed away on January 23, 2013. He was 74 years old.

CITE THIS ENTRY IN APA FORMAT:

Williams, E. (2012, February 24). Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams (1915-2002). BlackPast.org. https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/williams-paul-hucklebuck-1915-2002-2/

Source of the Author's Information:

Marcia M. Greenlee, Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams Interview, Rhythm &
Blues Foundation’s Oral History Project (New York City: June 11, 1993);
Joe Sasfy, “Spotlight: Blues From A Honker,” Washington Post (Feb 7,
1986); Peter Keepnews, “Paul Williams, 87, Rock Pioneer With 1948’s ‘The
Hucklebuck,’” New York Times, October 1, 2002;

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