Biography

Bill Doggett was a rock-and-roll pioneer; his 1956 hit "Honky Tonk" has been hailed as the first rock instrumental. Raised on the streets of North Philadelphia and a graduate of Central High School, Bill Doggett had been making music from an early age, turning from the trumpet to the piano at age 13, and by 15 he was playing in the pit orchestra of a local theater. He played in Lucky Millinder's band for a time, and was pianist and arranger for The Ink Spots. He also played for and recorded with such artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Otis, Wynonnie Harris and, in 1949, Louis Jordan. After leaving Jordan, Doggett was encouraged to start using the organ in his musical renditions, and he was playing it when "Honky Tonk" was recorded for King Records. In his later years he returned to his jazz roots and was heard in a number of venues both in the United States and overseas.
- IMDb mini biography by: Jane Margaret Laight

William Ballard Doggett is remembered as "Bill Doggett", the popular jazz organist with Rhythm and Blues Combo responsible for the landmark crossover instrumental hit of the early Rock n Roll Era, Honky Tonk, Parts 1 and 2.

Honky Tonk featuring iconic sax and guitar riffs continues to be on of the most studied and quoted works of the 1950s Rhythm and Blues instrumental repertoire influencing countless guitarists, sax players and organists for decades to come.

Born on February 16th, 1916, next year is The Bill Doggett Centennial.

The oldest son of Winola Ballard Doggett and John Nelson Doggett Sr, Bill's younger brother, John N Doggett Jr played tenor sax in Bill's Swing Band that he formed while in High School @1934-1937.

Bill Doggett, jazz pianist arranger and entrepreneur moved to Harlem in 1938 to work with James Mundy Band and go on tour. The tour failed and the Mundy Band disbanded providing an opportunity for Doggett to form a Harlem Band, meet Bandleader, Lucky Millinder who followed Chick Webb and Ella Fitzgerald at The Savoy Ballroom.

Doggett and Millinder Bands personnel merged becoming The Lucky Millinder Band by 1939. The Lucky Millinder Band with its new pianist, the young Bill Doggett made their FILM Debut as musical entertainment feature in the 1939 All Black Cast film, Paradise in Harlem.

For more information about Bill Doggett visit his Tribute page created by his namesake and nephew, Bill Doggett II, the youngest son of Bill's younger brother, John N Doggett Jr.
- IMDb mini biography by: Bill Doggett II

Was a pianist and arranger for The Ink Spots during the 1940s.