Billy Livsey - Misplaced Pages

American songwriter

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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, 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. Livsey founded his own publishing company called Quince Music Ltd. 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 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 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.

Working with Frank Musker, Livsey wrote "Listen to Your Heart" which was recorded by Diane Richards. The production and arrangements were handled by Butch Barbella and Nick Monroe. The song was a hit and peaked at no. 29 for two weeks on the Cash Box Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles chart. It also got to no. 44 on the Billboard Black Singles Chart.