Billy Hector

Some Day Baby

Ghetto Surf Music

Billy Hector was born in Orange New Jersey. He started taking guitar lessons at the age of nine. In the 1970s Hector was the guitarist for “The Shots” the house band at the renowned Stone Pony in Asbury Park.

Hector began to identify more with the blues and began drawing on his influences including T-Bone Walker, Freddie King, Roy Buchanan and Jimi Hendrix. In the 1980’s Hector formed the five-piece blues rock band The Fairlanes and released three independently produced albums on the Blue Jersey label.

Hector was named the “Best Guitarist” and “Best Blues Band” and the “Living Legend” by the Asbury Park Music Awards and The East Coast Rocker. When local venues booked Hector many would proudly exclaim “we got em’”. He has played with BB King, Bo Diddley, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy and The Fabulous Thunderbirds.

Hector became the touring guitarist for Hubert Sumlin. He was a two-time invitee to the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame’s American Music Masters series and played alongside Bonnie Raitt at a tribute to Muddy Waters. Hector performed at the Kennedy Center commemorating Leadbelly‘s 125th anniversary. He also toured with Joe Louis Walker.

In 2007 Hector released his 14th album “Hard Rockin’ Blues”. His 16th album was 2013’s “Choice Cuts”. Bluesblast stated “Hector is a veteran guitarist with roots in the Asbury Park and Jersey Shore music scenes. This oft-awarded, self-described, workingman’s musician… is a revered icon in New Jersey and beyond“.

The band on this new album includes Hector, all guitars and vocals, and horn and string arrangements. Accompanying Hector are bassists Winston Roye, Chris Plunkett, Tim Tindall, and Eric Boyd. Also featured are four drummers including Sim Cain. David Nunez is featured on keyboards.The horn section includes Steve Jankowski, trumpet and trombone; Tom LaBella, alto and tenor saxophone; and John Martin, baritone saxophone.

Hector is also a fine songwriter and all songs are written by him except for two co-written with his beloved wife and co-producer Suzan Lastovica.

The album opens with “Wizard of Babylon“ and it’s a pleasure to hear Hector with a horn section. Hector is at his very best. From the outrageous “Butt Naked and Fun”; to “Alabama Bound” featuring Dennis Gruenling on harp; to his slide work “On Your Bond”; to the deep blues of “Whiskey“; and to the closer “Road to Happiness” featuring Lastovica; each and every track on this fabulous album is worthy of airplay.

Hector will no longer be denied, He is one of our best blues rockers and this is a winning performance.

Richard Ludmerer

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