Billy Foster - I'd Rather Go Blind and Remembering Glenn Records in Palmdale CA

Beyonce Knowles and Billy Foster at Movie Opening of "Cadillac Records".

Billy Foster written "I'd Rather Go Blind" and was recorded by Rod Stewart, Etta James, Beyonce Knowles (for the film "Cadillac Records" starring Adrian Brody). He has performed with The Coasters with Dick Clark's Good Ole Days of Rock N Roll Shows and with his group, The Vernon Greene Medallions who recorded the original single, "The Letter".  Foster, still retains the crown as the only singer from the Antelope Valley to have had a song that has sold over 20 Million records to date.  However, there are several AV artists that are closing the gap.

On the celebration of Glenn Records of Palmade California, Foster remembers cutting several demos at the studio that he would put on the plane to Muscle Shoals Alabama for his wife to record when she was in and out of the studio.  Foster played many dates with Kenneth Howard Smith (Kenny Smith and Ricky Perrine, in their Purple Olive band from Rosamond.)  Foster is the first cousin of The Charles Graves Family who founded the town of Rosamond and donated all the land that all the public schools are built on.  Foster was raised in two cities, Los Angeles and the Antelope Valley.

There has been many popular people and groups that have come out of the Antelope Valley, including John Wayne, Judy Garland, Jane Reynolds, Frank Zappa, Don VanVliet (Captain Beefheart), Merrell Fankhauser, All 4 One, George Weston, Don Ramon G., The Others, Mallard, ? Mark and the Mysterians, The Dartells, The Chevels, HMS Bounty, The Bountys, Mothers of Invention, Chapter 17, Velvetones, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and the list goes on and on. . . from those golden days of the Antelope Valley.

Foster also is known for being the member of Vernon Greene and the Medallions with the hits "Buick 59" and "The Letter". Billy has recorded with the Medallions' since 1957. Billy's falsetto voice was one of the highest registered notes recorded in the song "Behind The Door", an original by the Medallions. He is currently the group's manager. 

In 1948, as a child actor, he performed in the motion picture musical "Carmen Jones". He attended Idyllwild School of Music & Arts, in California where he additionally has written and produced shows with artists such as The Drifters, The Coasters, John Lee Hooker, Etta James, Mary Wells and comedian/talk show host, Rosie McDonald. 

As the co-author of the hit song "I'd Rather Go Blind" recorded by previously mentioned world renown artists and many others. The most recent release of "I'd Rather Go Blind" will be released in the Sony Pictures release of "Cadillac Records" by Beyonce. 

Foster's song of "High Low Low Road" depicts his experience with drugs and alcohol, which has lead to his miraculous recovery, spiritually mentally, emotionally, financially and in his relationships.

As a recovered champion after his close bout with the illness, Billy has lived on to help others with inspiration for both men and women who have suffered and are still suffering from similar experiences. 

As the director of "Chains of Love" and Brother's Big House," Foster provides a drug and alcohol-free homes for men and women in Los Angeles.

Do you play live?

Yes. Japan, London, Germany, Korea and Thailand.