Gosh, that man gets two major advantages : A heavyweight's career and a heavyweight's build ! At the age of 15, he started to be a boxer, fighting on all the british rings, sharing out uppercuts and knock-outs. He says : "I have win 45 fights before taking part in the London Scholar Championship. But unfortunately, I've lost... ". A this time, this disillusioned champ decided to leave the roaring arenas of boxing machines... and started to play football !
BILL discovered rock'n'roll. Patient, he started playing with two bands : Ronny & The Bigs (1975) and One-Eyed Jacks. "Then, he explains, in 1977, I answered to an add in Melody Maker. A band was looking for a Chuck Berry-type singer. I went to the audition and there, I met Peter Gunn and Ben Donnelly. In fact, they were "the band". We decided to hire a first drummer : John Bull... then a second guitar-player : Tony Oliver. And that's how The INMATES were born!".

With The INMATES, BILL cut his fist album in 1979 : "First Offence". The classic re-make of the famous "Dirty Water" gave the band his first real chance and exposure. They released, right after, "Shot In The Dark" and "Heatwave In Alaska".

In 1982, dramatic turn of events, BILL left The INMATES. "I was sick. A nervous breakdown... And I lost my voice... ". The band recruited Barrie MASTERS (ex-Eddie & The Hot Rods) and cut two albums with him.

After leaving The INMATES, BILL started a new band : The Big Heat. "We started at the end of 83, so we were together for about 3 years. And we did a single with Elvis Costello. It was a big band of 12 people. The record company couldn't pay for so much - feed 12 people !... The Big Heat opened for Tina Turner and Joe Jackson in january and may 1984... ". BILL had his own little combo as well, called the Enforcers (with Pete Gunn and John Earle). "I also met Brad fom the Specialists and he asked me if I was interested in singing with J.B.'s All Stars. It had very good musicians. We only did two singles.".

In 1984, BILL HURLEY cut his first solo album : "Double Agent"... 14 songs recorded in 11 days. The Master's vocal capacities were at their best... The result is a technically brilliant work with a driving and astounding feeling. "I now have the voice of a baritone... I recently realised that I've got a vocal scale of three octaves and half. So I use it intensively...".

In 1986, BILL joined THE INMATES (Barrie left the band because The Hot Rods were getting together again). In 1987, The INMATES recorded the album : "Meet The Beatles". It was suggested to them by the french newspaper "Libération". They wanted the band to do a free concert to commemorate the release of "Sergeant Pepper" 20 years ago. It was a big gig with 5.000 people... and a success ! The late and faithfull Vic Maile (Doors, Hendrix, Who...) produced this memorable live record.

In the late 80's, a rumour started to run from lips to lips : "BILL HURLEY prepares an album of Presley's covers". The crooning INMATE was supposed to record a tribute to Elvis, his long-time hero. The Prince of Rock'n'Blues was polishing the King's crown. It was not an easy project. Many times it has been postponed... And many times it almost failed. But despite everything, fists clenched, BILL won that ultimate fight. And today, we're proud to present his "ANGEL TO MEMPHIS" : 13 trophies, 13 covers... 13 songs which BILL HURLEY, larynx virtuoso, revives, building up his own lot of legend.