Bill Lynn did a lot of studio work as staff drummer with ABC Paramount Records in Nashville in the early sixties. In 1964 Bill Lynn began work as a musician with Elvis Presley, performing in several movies, recording and being 'just one of the guys'. He is also known as drummer with hot SoCal '60s rock band The Ringers, with Richard & The Bowmen, and with Champs, known from their hits Train to Nowhere and Tequila.



In Los Angeles, Bill Lynn did studio work as a session drummer with artists Bobby Vee, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Danny Hutton (Three Dog Night), Joe Frank of Hamilton Joe Frank & Reynolds, among many others.



Biography:

Bill Lynn was born in Bogota, Colombia and after his father's untimely death at only 33 his mother brought the 6-year old to the United States. They lived in Miami/Florida for 18 years.



In an interview with The Lance Monthly, Bill Lynn recalls:

"I was about six or seven, liked rock 'n' roll, and just started playing on my mom's pots & pans. When I couldn't play them anymore, I decided to save my money from selling newspapers and odd jobs to buy a drum book, sticks and a drum pad. I would also listen to Jimmy Reed, Duane Eddy, Little Richard and some music from my (native) country, Colombia. When I was ten, I bought my first $20 drum set and would listen to the radio and practice in the garage. I guess I just liked the sound and boom that drums have."

At 11 years of age Bill Lynn formed his own trio and at 14 he was called to play with a Country & Western band, never forgetting the song 'Heartaches by the number'. He continued to play with that band at square dances with another young musician called Charlie McCoy.



At 16 he 'changed' his age to 18 so that he could play in bars with various bands. Always in demand for his services, he was invariably asked to perform a drum solo; he soon earning the nickname 'The Drummatic Bill Lynn'.



In 1957, a vocalist friend of Bill's extended an invitation to travel to Los Angeles to record. When the band was questioned about their name, they replied, 'The Champs'. Their manager was Gene Autry and one track they recorded that same day was Tequila - a national number one song for 16 weeks, and a smash hit right around the world.



In 1960 Bill signed a contract with ABC Paramount Records in Nashville/TN as their 'studio drummer'. He recorded with many of the 'exclusive' artists: Ray Charles, The Impressions, Brian Hyland, Jimmy Velvet, Tommy Roe, Jimmy Gilmore, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Bobby Vee and others.



During this same period Bill was introduced to Elvis Presley at RCA Recording Studio 'B'. During one of Elvis's recording sessions the drummer left the studio for coffee and Bill was asked to accompany the next song 'Its Now Or Never'. As the recording progressed, they liked it that much that Bill's drum track stayed on the final print.



In 1963 Bill moved to Los Angeles and joined a 'Beatle' group, dressing and playing 95% of Beatle and Rolling Stone music in night clubs, the Hollywood Palladium and even the famous Coconut Grove.Bill was called on to play with several other groups on his 'Day off', and when Elvis Presley was filming one of movies in Hollywood, Bill went to visit him.



Elvis slightly remembered him, but having a drummer already contracted for the movie 'Easy Come - Easy Go' Elvis asked Bill if he could play any other instruments. Having had some previous basic instruction on piano, guitar, bass and saxophone, Bill was hired to play each instrument during the filming, which gave Bill extra pay for playing each one.



There was one problem, Bill already had a band-job in Sacramento, California, 350 miles north. Not wanting to loose the job with Elvis Bill commuted by plane every day, making do with only a couple of hours sleep. A couple of weeks passed before Elvis found out what Bill was up to and when he did, he went into hysterics of laughter. Bill Lynn was asked to continue working with Elvis as a musician and extra in other movies.



Bill was frequently with Elvis until 1969/70, when Elvis began his live performances. There was friction with Priscilla and almost everyone was discharged, but to this day Bill wears his staff TCB (one of only 150 ever made!) pin on a chain around his neck, as Elvis Presley's drummer, friend and aide he keeps on "Taking Care of Business" (in a flash) for the King of Rock 'n Roll.



'In a Flash' ment 'now' so fun and spontaneity wouldn't fade, says Bill, who was nicknamed 'Flash' by Elvis because he was quick at getting things done.



Bill stayed with Presley until 1969-70.



In 1980 Bill's long-time friend Jimmy Velvet asked him to join him in Memphis and market his newly developed Elvis Presley Museum and in 16 years as Marketing Director he arranged tours for the museum to be presented in numerous shopping malls, expositions and trade fairs. Adding an Elvis tribute singer to the exhibition of artefacts, Bill would perform as a drummer, marketing director and promoter.



Bill Lynn went on to record with other top names in the business, including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Three Dog Night, and Hall & Oates. He then formed a company to represent various U.S. instrument manufacturers exclusively in Latin America.



After his years as marketing director for the Elvis Presley Museum, Bill became a businessman running his own company, American & Country Music Holidays, in Missouri. He produces, promotes and performs with his own shows, mainly Rock 'n' Roll in Europe and Latin America. His other company TCB Enterprises produces and manages artists, mainly female singers.



On January 5, 2005 Bill Lynn suddenly died in Bogota due to an affection of his lungs. He was 73 years old. Bill Lynn had played live in late November 2005.