Billy Livsey

Billy Livsey is an American songwriter, keyboardist, and producer originally from St. Louis, Missouri and now resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He has worked with many musicians including Tina Turner, Kevin Ayers, Phil Manzanera, 801, Gerry Rafferty,{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p98950|label=Billy Livsey: Credits}} Five Star, Gallagher and Lyle, Ronnie Lane, Kenny Rogers, and Rodney Crowell. Livsey played the keyboard solo on Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do with It", and keyboards on "Breakaway" and "Heart on My Sleeve" for Gallagher and Lyle, and on "How Come" for Ronnie Lane.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-livsey-mn0000089329/credits|title=Billy Livsey {{!}} Credits|website=AllMusic|language=en-us|access-date=2020-03-02}} Livsey founded{{Cite web|url=https://www.billylivseymusic.com/quince-music|title=Quince Music|website=Billy Livsey Music|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-16}} his own publishing company called [https://www.discogs.com/label/276026-Quince-Music Quince Music Ltd.]{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/label/276026-Quince-Music|title=Quince Music|website=Discogs|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}} in the 1980s, and more recently, Billy Livsey Music, both of which are still active today.

Background

Presently, Billy has a close relationship with Nashville-based recording studio [https://www.welcometo1979.com Welcome to 1979] where he often works as a session keyboardist. Livsey also houses a large portion of his collection of vintage synths, keyboards, and electric pianos at the studio. At Welcome to 1979 Billy has worked on sessions with a variety of artists like Pete Townshend, Brendan Benson, and [https://www.outervibe.com/ The Outer Vibe].

Career

Billy wrote the UK number 2 hit "Rain Or Shine" and the number 3 hit "System Addict", both by Five Star, and the UK number 11 hit "Give Me Your Heart Tonight" by Shakin' Stevens.{{Citation needed|reason=References required|date=December 2024}}

Working with Frank Musker, Livsey wrote "Listen to Your Heart" which was recorded by Diane Richards.MusicVF.com - [https://www.musicvf.com/songs.php?page=artist&artist=Billy+Livsey&tab=songaswriterchartstab Songs written by Billy Livsey, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, Diane Richards 3. 1983 Listen to Your Heart by Diane Richards] The production and arrangements were handled by Butch Barbella and Nick Monroe.Billboard, April 2, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1983/BB-1983-04-02.pdf Page 20, Radio, New On The Charts, Diane Richards] The song was a hit and peaked at no. 29 for two weeks on the Cash Box Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles chart.Cash Box, May 7, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/Cash-Box-1983-05-07.pdf Page 34 Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles May 7, 1983 29, 4/30 32, Weeks On Chart 11]Cash Box, May 14, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/Cash-Box-1983-05-14.pdf Page 32 Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles May 14, 1983 29, 5/7 29, Weeks On Chart 12]Cash Box, May 21, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/Cash-Box-1983-05-21.pdf Page 30 Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles May 21, 1983 30, 5/14 29, Weeks On Chart 13] It also got to no. 44 on the Billboard Black Singles Chart.Billboard, April 2, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1983/BB-1983-04-02.pdf Page 20, Radio, New On The Charts, Diane Richards]MusicVF.com - [https://www.musicvf.com/songs.php?page=artist&artist=Billy+Livsey&tab=songaswriterchartstab Songs written by Billy Livsey, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, Diane Richards 3. 1983 Listen to Your Heart by Diane Richards]