Billy Durham

[@tppackage1]

Man what memories us all growing up together on 73rd st with Tyrone Stewart , Wesley Stoval Mark Davis a neighborhood full of vocalist and musicians Darryl Taylor, Allen Hall ,Pat and Danny you had also Heaven and Earth from the block a very talented neighborhood this brings back over 40 years of memories God Bless our friends from the hood a great big family

[@yolandayates5684]

0

[@yolandayates8633]

In 1967 I had the pleasure of being a close friend to Billy I lived on 71st in Laflin and his family lived down the street Billy and I spent a great deal of time singing I was Yolanda Threatt at the time I didnt know that Billy was deceased we all grow up and apart Rest In Peace William Durham

[@TheLastTycoon1952]

He was a genius the world was just getting to know, one my best songwriting partners and one of my dearest friends. I am still crushed by his passing. He was so close to stardom. I pray for him often.

[@MrDia3522]

What is his sister's name. I went to camp with her

[@marciaparks3275]

RIP Marvin. Billy loved you like a brother. You are missed, too.

[@mycledurham5329]

Her name is Barbara Whitman she's my aunt!

[@mycledurham216]

Epic and memorable moment in time for my Dad and Aunt... Preciate the LOVE u guys! R.I.P POPS

[@bitterpills4745]

Mycle Durham My name is Dennis Howell. I grew up with Billy in the Village. We sang together as youths when we were in school (Joseph Medill) and we wrote together at Fippo Recods on 13th and Michigan. I love and miss him so much. He truly was a wonderful artist. I remember his sisters Barbara was the youngest and I believe the older was Linda. He always hung out with Charles Bates, Marvin Smith, myself and many others. I wish I knew his children so that I could share memories with them and his family members who I would love to talk to. And there was one other thing that I would like to share. He wrote a beautiful ballad entitled: "Don't Push My Love Cup Aside." He was very much in love with a young woman whom he wrote the song for. Whenever he sang the song he seemed very definite about recording the song for her. He told me he wanted the Album cover to feature him inside a champagne glass being pushed off the edge of a baby-grand piano by the hand of the girl he was so in love with....and he sighed. I always admired his depth of appreciation of music and his ability to Express it in song. I miss him, terribly. I thank Marvin Smith for letting me know that our friend had expired and falling asleep in death. I know our God will keep him in his memory and I believe he will be among those who will hear Christ's voice and be resurrected (John 5:28).

[@MrDia3522]

Your dad was my brother's best friend in 8th grade. I'll never forget him

[@MrDia3522]

@@bitterpills4745 the village yes..we lived in the 16 stories.. My brother Lawrence French was Billy's friend. I went to camp with 1 of his sister's with Newberry Center.

[@mycledurham5329]

Happy Birthday Pops! R.I.P✊

[@414Missy]

Billy, you are still my hero. You lived your life to the fullest knowing in advance what some of us dread. You were not shot down in the street like so many of our loved ones have been. Your sunset was expected by you and prepared for. Love you so much, you left us in your youth though it is hard for us I will always miss you.Gail from the block.

[@MakerNoMoney]

Beautiful.

[@wesleystovall7649]

A Braboy He was really a good and talented friend My friend Billy will never be forgotten your friend Wes! !!

[@MrDia3522]

What is his sister's name? We went to camp together. Billy was my brother's best friend in 8th grafe

[@MrsCautiousD]

This has brought back some wonderful memories. I'm choked up. Thank you for posting this.

[@nancytatum4757]

Lived three doors down from the Durham's. I remember that footlights performance. I think I was a freshman.

[@janiceyoung4610]

I saw Billy sing with the Platters in Victoria, Canada, he was so amazing!!!

[@richwalker1270]

Thank you for posting. I met Billy through record producers Archie Russell and Floyd Smith

[@MakerNoMoney]

You're welcome, sir.

[@JButun1]

Glad to know he's got family around. I didn't really know him, even though we went to the same school and probably lived in the same neighborhood. Thanks for the memory Barbara. Burns '71

[@barrysylvester4416]

My big cousin/ brother. Alot of people can sing in our family

[@414Missy]

This record is untitled. Is this So sorry you are gone, you will always have a special place in my heart. Loved you then and now. Beautiful Black man, yours truly, Gail from 7040 S. Laflin. Let me be the one

[@robertorick6383]

"Let Me Be The One" composed by Paul Williams & Roger Nichols, issued on Anthem Records in 1971, distributed by United Artists Records. Now a collector's item. I got a copy, and I'm glad I found one.

[@stanleyrowell5090]

I also knew Billy Durham, I stayed on 69th and Justine and he stayed on 70th and Justine. I went to Harper with him and his sister Barbara. He made another song, but I can't remember it. If anyone can remember the other song please post it.

[@MakerNoMoney]

Hey Stanley. Sorry for being slow about seeing these messages, but I'm seldom on gmail and have missed all the comments until today. I have some rough copies of a few other songs that Billy sung, co-wrote or did the background vocals. Barbara sent them to me years ago and I'll try to get them to you.

[@employme09]

Love Among People

[@princemitchell4106]

Thanks,,,I wrote Love among people for Billy.

[@MakerNoMoney]

I'll look for the cd that Barbara gave me years ago with the all the songs Billy had either sung, did background singing or had co-written.

[@mycledurham216]

Prince Mitchell

[@JButun1]

Nice one formerly Bruce Bell of Harper HS in the late 1960s-early 1970s who played football, ran track, and possibly played baseball; I just don't remember that much.

[@MakerNoMoney]

Hey Jackie, that would be me, but I never got past little league in baseball. I'm late on seeing your comment, but thank you for dropping in, my brother.

[@snakefr3ak]

Hey , That's Billy Durham and his sister singin' with him at Harper highschool's "Footlights" talent show in Chicago in the late 1960's or early 1970's.

[@MakerNoMoney]

I don't know how I missed two years of comments, but there were many beautiful ones posted. I remember a lot of neighborhood activities and Billy, Wesley, Tyrone, Mark and sometimes this brother named Michael "Smitty" Smith singing on the corner of 72nd Place and Laflin. I was "jealous" that I wasn't around when they formed their group and thought I would have been a better bass singer. This photo was taken in late1968 or early 1969, whenever the Footlights at Harper was presented. I was in the Harper's boring dance/jazz band.

[@JButun1]

There was "Love Among People" which I think was the second release.

[@shellylarue9661]

Jackie Burns U wouldn't have a copy of that song would u?

[@mydee12]

Wow! My cousins...RIP Billy!

[@princemitchell4106]

Billy Durham was a great talent so sorry to hear of his passing. Prince Phillip Mitchell

[@JButun1]

Aaahh ... MakerNoMoney: The former Bruce Bell. He was an excellent athlete on the Chicago Harper high school Football, Track, and Baseball programs.

[@MakerNoMoney]

Hey Jackie and thank you for the sports kudos, but I never played baseball in high school.

[@DigitalCreator]

Barbara is my mother. She's doing well living in California.

[@MakerNoMoney]

Tell your mother that I said, "Hello"! I saw a photograph of her last month posing with our friend, Kenny Elliot at a party with some other Harperites. I still have the cd that I believe you may have assisted with, that had all the songs in which your uncle was involved. I was reluctantly to post any others because she didn't acknowledge when I'd contacted her for permission. Thank you for checking in.

[@DigitalCreator]

+MakerNoMoney If you have others of her you can contact me on Facebook or email me. We can talk from there. I'm sure she'd appreciate it.

[@MakerNoMoney]

I have no other photos. Back then, we didn't have enough film to take multiple photos of the same settings and had to pray that enough shots came in decently. I love today's technology in photos and music and often think about the history that could have be captured, but missed. Take care.

[@bitterpills4745]

DigitalCreator Hey there. Always wanted know how Barbara was doing. Please say hello for an old school mate and friend of your uncles'. Dennis Howell

[@bitterpills4745]

DigitalCreator contact Dennis Howell at; [e-mail]. I sure would like to talk with you.

[@MrDia3522]

Where did u find this. Billy was my brother's best friend. I last saw him MC at High Chaparell when Chaka made 1st song with Rufus

[@MakerNoMoney]

The music came from his sister who'd sent me a cd with every song Billy was involved in.

[@MrDia3522]

@@MakerNoMoney I went to camp with 1 of his sisters. Where is she now??

[@MakerNoMoney]

@@MrDia3522, Barbara was the only sister I knew and she's somewhere in Cali, I believe L.A. I know friends who can reach her.

[@MakerNoMoney]

@snakefr3ak ...You are correct on that. That was taken in 1969 by yours truly, who was the tuba a.k.a. the bass player in the dance band which sat in front of the staff. Barbara Durham is still around and doing well and also supplied the track for this song and others that he sung on or helped to write.

[@414Missy]

This is Let me be the One.

[@shellylarue9661]

Can someone PLEASE post a copy of "Love Among People" and "I Gotta Find My Way". Somebody stole my 45 record that had those songs on it. Dang dang DANG!!

[@jewelcarrington2169]

Shelly Larue A big reason I don't let no one even look at my records.even family !