Billy Howard

For the gridiron football player, see Billy Howard (gridiron football).

Billy Howard (born 1942) is an English comedian and impressionist,^[1] who appeared on the ITV series Who Do You Do? in the early 1970s, alongside other impressionists such as Faith Brown.^[2]

Billy Howard
Born	1942 (age 82–83) Edgware, London, England
Occupation(s)	Comedian, impersonator
Instrument(s)	Vocals, trumpet, guitar

Career

In 1976, his single "King of the Cops", a comic version of the hit "King of the Road", reached No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart;^[3][4] it featured his impressions of TV cops including Kojak, Columbo, Steve McGarrett in Hawaii Five-O, McCloud, Ironside and Cannon. Several months later, a follow-up, "The Disco Cops", was also released, but did not chart. Another comic record by Howard, "Frantic Frog (Parts 1 and 2)", was released in 1977 and also failed to chart. In 1979, he started doing voice over work for television and radio commercials.^[1]

Personal life

Howard was born in Edgware, London, England.^[5] He commenced his musical career as a jazz trumpeter and guitarist, playing in jazz combos in the early 1960s.^[5] He played in many jazz bands in the early 1960s such as Gerry Brown's Jazzmen, Alvin Roy Band.^[6]

In 1971 he met Scottish singer Eileen Cameron.^[1] They worked with each other and sang together in clubs, eventually getting married in 1975 and welcoming a daughter in 1980.^[1]

Discography

Singles

• "King of the Cops" / "Bond Is A Four Letter Word" (released 12 September 1975, Penny Farthing Records)^[7]
• "The Disco Cops" / "I Call My Baby Buggsy" (released 23 April 1976, Penny Farthing Records)^[7]
• "Frantic Frog" / "Frantic Frog (Part 2)" (released 4 June 1977, Penny Farthing Records)^[7]
• "Truckin' With Santa" / "The "OO" Song" (released 1982, The Hat Factory)^[7]

King of the Cops chart performance

Chart (1976)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)[8]	No. 6
Australian (Kent Music Report)	No. 24[9]