Billy Barnes

Who was Billy Barnes?

Billy Barnes was a composer and lyricist from Los Angeles, California. His hit songs include " Too Long at the Fair" recorded by Patti Page and Barbra Streisand, and "Something Cool", recorded by jazz vocalist June Christy. Barnes is best known for his theatrical revues, including The Billy Barnes Revue, Billy Barnes' People, Billy Barnes' Party, Billy Barnes' L.A., and Billy Barnes' Hollywood. Other productions with Barnes' songs include Movie Star, and Blame It on the Movies. An assertive composer and skillful pianist, Barnes is affectionately known as the "Revue Master of Hollywood."

Barnes started writing musical comedy sketches while still in high school, and continued while at UCLA. He started collaborating in college with Bob Rodgers, and their first professional revue, a Cabaret Concert Show, was staged in 1956 in Los Angeles. His revues were the springboard for many talented comics and singers, including Bert Convy, Ken Berry, Jo Anne Worley, Jackie Joseph, Ann Morgan Guilbert, Donald Ross, Dick Patterson, Dave Ketchum and Barnes' former wife, Joyce Jameson.