Photo Credit: Reservoir Media
Reservoir Media has announced the acquisition of the publishing rights to the catalog of late singer-songwriter Billy Strange. The deal includes hit songs such as Elvis Presley’s “A Little Less Conversation,” “Memories,” and “Clean Up Your Own Back Yard.”
Billy Strange began his career in music as a session guitarist in the 1950s before making a name for himself as a songwriter and arranger. He frequently collaborated on hits for Elvis Presley, including the theme song from the 1969 American western film ‘Charro!’ in which Presley stars.
The song “A Little Less Conversation” originally appeared in the 1968 film ‘Live a Little, Love a Little,’ which also starred Presley and for which Strange also composed the musical soundtrack. In 2001, the song was used in the heist film, ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ inspiring a remix by Dutch musician Junkie XL. “A Little Less Conversation — JXL Radio Edit Remix” was officially released in 2002, becoming a worldwide hit that topped the singles charts in nine countries—including spending four consecutive weeks at #1 in the U.K.
As a composer, Strange also worked on the musical soundtrack for the 1969 Elvis film, ‘The Trouble with Girls.’ That film featured the hit song, “Clean Up Your Own Backyard.” Strange also co-wrote “Limbo Rock,” recorded by The Champs and Chubby Checker, which reached #2 on the Hot 100. In addition to the work as a songwriter, Strange played guitar with several major acts including the Beach Boys, Nancy Sinatra, Willie Nelson, Randy Newman, and Nat King Cole.
Strange can also be heard playing for several television theme songs from the 50s and 60s including ‘The Munsters’ (1964), ‘Batman’ (1966), and ‘Have Gun — Will Travel’ (1957). Strange also arranged and conducted several Nancy Sinatra albums, including arranging her single “These Boots Are Made for Walkin,” which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and UK Singles chart. Strange was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame as a member of The Wrecking Crew in 2007.
“Billy Strange’s influence is woven into the fabric of American pop culture. ‘A Little Less Conversation’ is one of the most recognizable songs and has influenced popular music since Elvis first sang it in 1968. We are honored to have Strange’s music in our catalog and amplify the mark he left on the world,” adds Reservoir President & COO Rell Lafargue about the acquisition.
