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BIO
Turley Richards, youngest of five, was born in Charleston, West Virginia. His Dad was a pipe fitter and his Mother a seamstress and housewife.
The workers at his Dad's plant pooled their money and bought him a Victrola record player and some records. His Mom bought him a kazoo, shaped liked a sax at a five and dime and he was on his way. At fifteen, he started a group called THE FIVE PEARLS. The inception of his music was in the R&B field, leaning towards THE DRIFTERS, THE CLOVERS, and THE COUNT BASIE BAND. He then got a spot on THE DICK REID RECORD HOP, a clone of AMERICAN BANDSTAND, and he traveled the state of West Virginia, becoming known as THE WEST VIRGINIA SUPERSTAR.
In the early 60's Turley tried his luck with a trip to Los Angeles with two other musicians. A train back to West Virginia soon took him home as the musicians threw in the towel. Not accepting defeat, he headed to New York with his guitar, suitcase, and 87 dollars, which did not last long. After running out of money, Turley was forced to sleep in Central Park and sing at pubs for meals and handouts. Finally, Turley got a break. A woman he had met worked for NORMAN SCHWARTZ, who managed STAN GETZ, GARY McFARLAND, and others. Turley was introduced and he was on his way to a record deal with MGM. Through the years, Turley was signed by eight major record labels, including WARNER BROTHERS, COLUMBIA, ATLANTIC, EPIC, MGM, 20TH CENTURY FOX, and ABC/DOT. Every single that was ever released was a "pick hit" in BILLBOARD, and while Turley sold 1.4 million records, he always has felt that poor management decisions prevented him from attaining multi-platinum sales.
For the past fifteen years, Turley has been working as a performer, producer, vocal coach and music consultant. He has jump-started a comeback with a new album and plans for a DVD about his life. "I have been asked what keeps me going and how I overcome so many obstacles. My inner strength is from my Mother's words of wisdom. She used to say, "It's a tough world out there, honey, and you just got to be tougher than the toughest".
* Al Kooper American songwriter, producer, musician who has worked with Blood Sweat & Tears, Bob Dylan, Joe Walsh and others, recently had this to say on Yahoo's Spectro Pop group.
"Speaking as a musician, Turley's version of "I Heard The Voice Of Jesus" on Warners is one of the greatest vocal performances I have ever heard in my life. The story goes that he performed it in the studio solo accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. Producer Lou Merenstein, taking a page from producer Tom Wilson's tactic book, overdubbed a whole orchestra over Turley's performance including a bravado arrangement string section. It ALMOST covered that incredible vocal performance, but somehow that amazing voice cuts through. There are moments in his vocal when he sings four or five notes AT ONE TIME!! If you love great singing, tell me I can upload this rarity that I doubt is 4 sale at this moment and all S'poppers can marvel at this unique performance.
Al Kooper"
Seeing Turley in concert is an experience you will not forget. Joe Boyland, who has managed LYNYRD SKYNYRD, BAD COMPANY, NAZARETH, BJ THOMAS, and others once was quoted, "Turley is the best performer with a guitar in his hand that I have ever seen, hands down. What he can do with his voice, guitar, his rhythm, and pounding that big right leg on the stage blows my mind. Best I have ever seen."
