Bill Cisco

Bill Cisco (born Billy Thomas, August 16,1949) is s an American musician, songwriter and record producer most noted as a later member of The Drifters. Inspired by Art Tatum, and Ray Charles as a child, he went on to become a very influential behind the scenes musician. His work with , Curtom, and Dolemite record companies introduced him to some of the biggest names in the industry. At Motown, he was one of their renaissance men. Bill did it all, he wrote, produced, sang and played a variety of instruments, making himself a valuable sessions musician. It was during his Motown years that he became acquainted with the Drifters. He co-wrote and produced songs for the group with the production team of Gene McFadden and John Whitehead. The production team worked with The Drifters, Melba Moore, Freddie Jackson, Gloria Gaynor, Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Gladys Knight, The Jackson 5, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Lou Rawls, The Ojays, and others. They produced a string of hits such as "For The Love Of Money," I'll Always Love My Momma," "Bad Luck," "Wake Up Everybody," "Where Are All My Friends," "The More I Want", and "Backstabbers". By 1978, the team had amassed 22 gold records, two platinum albums and two Grammy nominations. Bill assumed a position as singer for The Drifters while working as one of their producers. Bill's production skills later landed him a position with Curtis Mayfield's Curtom Records. At Curtom he worked on projects with blues legend Johnnie Taylor, Z. Z. Hill, The Staple Singers and of course, Curtis Mayfield. Amidst all, he maintained his touring status with the Drifters as lead singer and soon became their touring manager. In the late 70's, he and the group relocated to New Orleans. There he established his Dolemite Record label and was introduced to the New Orleans sound through an array of musicians. He hung out on sets with blues guitar legend Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, and songwriter/producer . Bill often made solo appearances as a featured artist at various local venues. He also performed locally with The Drifters and other New Orleans celebrities (Fats Dominos, Jean Knight, Ernie K-Doe, Aaron Neville, of The Meters and others). He is revered as a New Orleans celebrity and is locally dubbed "The Bishop of Soul".
Although a prominent musician and performer, he never took time out to record a solo album. His work with the Drifters is the distinguishing signature of his career. The group recorded a series of outstanding songs that awarded them five Grammy nominations and a Rock and Roll hall of fame induction. With hits like, "There Goes My Baby", "Under The Boardwalk”, “White Christmas”, “Save the Last Dance for Me”, “This Magic Moment”, “Up On the Roof” and “On Broadway”, the group established their prominence in the industry.
Contrary to rumors, Bill did not consequently drown in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina disaster. His home and offices in the lower area of New Orleans were heavily flooded. However, he weathered out the storm in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Devastated after the lost of family members in the hurricane, Bill left Louisiana and eventually settled in South Africa. He remains the touring manager and lead singer of The Drifters.
http://drifters4u.co.cc/ http://en. .org/wiki/Art_Tatum http://en. .org/wiki/Fats_Domino http://en. .org/wiki/Motown_Records http://en. .org/wiki/Gene_McFadden http://en. .org/wiki/Melba_Moore http://en. .org/wiki/The_O'Jays http://en. .org/wiki/Curtom_Records http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9159941/ http://en. .org/wiki/Allen_Toussaint http://en. .org/wiki/Ernie_K-Doe http://en. .org/wiki/The_Neville_Brothers http://en. .org/wiki/George_Porter_Jr http://en. .org/wiki/Lower_9th_Ward

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