Today in Wheeling History: October 18—Billy Cox, a bassist best known for performing with Jimi Hendrix, was born in Wheeling (1941).
Billy Cox was born in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1941, where his father was a Baptist minister and math teacher and his mother a classical pianist. Growing up listening to shows at Wheeling's Capitol Music Hall, Cox started on piano and saxophone before taking up electric bass. In 1961, Cox and Jimi Hendrix met while both serving in the Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Hearing Hendrix playing guitar during a rainstorm, Cox introduced himself and they soon began jamming together. After being discharged, they formed the band King Kasuals in Nashville. Though Cox declined early offers to join Hendrix's groups, he later played with him at Woodstock in 1969 as part of the band Gypsy Sun and Rainbows. Cox also recorded the live Band of Gypsys album with Hendrix and drummer Buddy Miles. After Hendrix's untimely death, Cox continued session and live work, playing with Charlie Daniels and others. More recently he has been involved in Hendrix tributes and releases. Over his long career, Cox collaborated with many major artists, most notably his Army buddy Hendrix. (https://tinyurl.com/56jdbxb7) (https://tinyurl.com/4e2t2xw6) (https://tinyurl.com/3usa6de3)
Billy Cox was born in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1941, where his father was a Baptist minister and math teacher and his mother a classical pianist. Growing up listening to shows at Wheeling's Capitol Music Hall, Cox started on piano and saxophone before taking up electric bass. In 1961, Cox and Jimi Hendrix met while both serving in the Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Hearing Hendrix playing guitar during a rainstorm, Cox introduced himself and they soon began jamming together. After being discharged, they formed the band King Kasuals in Nashville. Though Cox declined early offers to join Hendrix's groups, he later played with him at Woodstock in 1969 as part of the band Gypsy Sun and Rainbows. Cox also recorded the live Band of Gypsys album with Hendrix and drummer Buddy Miles. After Hendrix's untimely death, Cox continued session and live work, playing with Charlie Daniels and others. More recently he has been involved in Hendrix tributes and releases. Over his long career, Cox collaborated with many major artists, most notably his Army buddy Hendrix. (https://tinyurl.com/56jdbxb7) (https://tinyurl.com/4e2t2xw6) (https://tinyurl.com/3usa6de3)
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