Bill Motley
Summer, 1981

Bill Motley, Moby Dick Records' Producer and founder, was also the man who was responsible for "The Moby Dick Sound", as it was affectionately called back then.

You may be surprised to learn that Bill Motley had another career, before launching Moby Dick Records in the summer of 1981.  You might have listened to him if you listened to station KCBS in Hollywood.  You would have known him as "The Boogie Man".

When he gave me, what he said was the only copy of his 45 rpm radio demo, he also made me promise that I wouldn't play it for anyone, especially if it was anyone that he knew.  I've kept his promise for the last twenty-four years and it hasn't been easy but that's about to change.

I really do believe that it's been long enough and I also believe that you deserve to know more about the guy who was behind, what was called, "The Moby Dick Sound".   You'll discover, when you listen to his "air check" that Bill Motley had just about as many voices as Moby Dick had records, and maybe more.

When people ask me what Bill was like, the first thing that comes to mind is "shy" — very "shy".  He never wanted to be anywhere, unless it was behind someone, or something.  He loved the magic that happened behind the scenes and it was, many have said, his playground.   

But, every once in awhile and somewhat predictably, Bill would emerge from his "behind the scenes" playground and surprise us with something like a personal request,

"How would you feel about me singing backup with the boys?  It could be for just a couple of measures, if you want."

Unless you know Bill's voice, it would be difficult to pick him out when he sings with "the boys" singing backup.  He's also the synthesized voice that you hear counting down at the end of Disco Kicks.

Bill was very bright, had a heart of gold, and he was funny - in fact he was hilarious.  If Bill targeted you for a "nose-bleed", which is to say that he believed that you needed a little cheering up, you wouldn't have time to even think about your escape. 

Before you knew it you'd be playing a major role in his skit and he would also perform for you, as long as their was an audience present too.  Your "major role" however, wouldn't be major because it was an acting role, it would be major because Bill would be playing You — Starring Bill Motley as you and Bill Motley as himself.  He'd have you laughing so hard you wouldn't be able to breathe. 

Anyone who's reading this, and knew Bill Motley, wouldn't forgive me if I didn't say something about Bill and The Supremes. 

Bill Motley loved The Supremes but he didn't just love them, he could do them — all of them.  Bill was a big man.  He was a couple inches over six feet and somewhere around 250 (he would love me for saying "250") and he still pulled off a better Diana Ross than Diana Ross herself.

He is, by so many, sorely missed.

His "Radio Demo" is just below.