Because no one knows where that song really originated! He tells McKinney that even Nathan Young, the dean of St. Louis folk historians, hadnt heard of the real Stagolee: I said, Was he a real person? And he said, Oh no, he was a folklore character.. More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Resume Born November 16, 1956 Add to list Photos 13 Known for Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure 6.9 Billy the Kid 1989 Tron 6.7 Ram Popcorn Co-Worker 1982 Black Moon Rising 5.5 Billy Lyons That bad man, oh, cruel Stack O Lee, And all they gathered, hands way up high, Now, the journalism of the day was appallingly poora hodgepodge of hack reporting, rumor, speculation, and opinion, seasoned liberally with racism. Billy has 1 job listed on their profile. [10] In his version, as in all such pieces, there are many (sometimes anachronistic) variants on the lyrics. [2] Shelton was well known locally as one of the Macks, a group of pimps who demanded attention through their flashy clothing and appearance. But the best-known versions of Stagolee sound nothing like one another; theres no signature melody or even a common refrain to lodge in the cultural consciousness. He died in incarceration in 1912. [2], Last edited on 23 February 2023, at 16:09, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Celebrities' open letter to Scotland full text and list of signatories | Politics", "Doctor Who recap: series 38, episode five Fugitive of the Judoon", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neil_Stuke&oldid=1141146332, 2 episodes (12 August 2010 & 28 February 2011), This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 16:09. www.shodavision.com. Lee Shelton (March 16, 1865 March 11, 1912), popularly known as "Stagolee," "Stagger Lee," "Stack-O-Lee," and other variations, was an American criminal who became a figure of folklore after murdering Billy Lyons on December 25th, 1895. As so many have already learned and been praying, my brother in law, Billy Coile, went fishing alone Saturday afternoon and has not returned. Billy Lyons actor at billy lyons Dublin e Regio. Bill was The Best! John Russell David was a graduate student in the early 1970s when he first uncovered the St. Louis origins of Stagolee by talking to a Black octogenarian who remembered the murder. Several of them knew their lineage as far back as Florence Lyons, but not her fathers famous name. I havent been able to track down the surviving documents he apparently saw. I had to borrow cassette players from three different friends before I found one that would play the 90-minute Memorex, which is actually a dub of a reel-to-reel recording from 1973a 40-year-old copy of a 46-year-old conversation with an 88-year-old man. In January 1896, according to a Post-Dispatch item that escaped the notice of earlier researchers, a young woman named Stella Casey took her own life by swallowing a box of rat poison. "I'm heartbroken," the grieving star laments. The characters explore African American history in the Northern United States, and experience racism and violence throughout multiple cities. Experience actor . Years active. Billy Lyons is an actor, director, teacher, and producer living in New York City, where he's trained with and been the close assistant to Wynn Handman for many years. [7], Shortly after the event, the murder became the subject of folk song tradition, known as "Stagolee," "Stagger Lee," and other variants. When I spied Billy de Lyon, he was lyin down on the floor Currently, Billy Lyons is 157 years, 10 months and 20 days old. Lee Shelton may have had a wife of his own. After a century of vilification, its time to separate Lee Shelton the man from Stackolee the myth., A few Newspapers.com searches, however, reveal that Lee Shelton was indeed a serially violent man, even by the standards of the citys Bloody Third district. Who was Stagger Lee, who goes by different names depending on the storyteller;Stagger, Stack-O-Lee, Stackalee, etc.? All rights reserved, The Real Story Behind That Bad Man "Stagger Lee". Ma Rainey and her band, (including a young Louis Armstrong on cornet), recordedStack OLee Blues in 1925. Shelton was tried and convicted for the crime in 1897, and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Date: December 25, 1895 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Victim: William "Billy" Lyons Cause of Death: Gunshot Accused: "Stack" Lee Shelton Recording: "Stack O'Lee Blues" - Mississippi John Hurt "Staggerlee" - Lloyd Price Synopsis: Stack Lee Shelton was the owner of a St. Louis saloon/brothel called the Modern Horseshoe Club and was a well-known figure in the black neighborhood of Deep Morgan. His voice is arid, his speech halting but extravagantly precise. Episode #17 of the Motorcycle Knuckle Busters podcast. And heres the kicker: she was living at 914 North Twelfth Street, which, according to the Globe-Democrat, had been Lee Sheltons home address on the day he killed Billy Lyons two years earlier. Geoffrey O'Hara: February 2, 1882 January 31, 1967 Canadian Singer and songwriter. Dove-gray spats covered the tops of his St. Louis flats low-heeled shoes, with long, pointed, upswept toes, on each of which was a small mirror, designed to catch the light. BY Billy Lyons. In its World Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival, It Takes a Lunatic, director Billy Lyons (actor, director, teacher, producer and assistant to Wynn Handman) displays the man behind the mask and reveals there is no mask or gloss to Wynn Handman. Shed died not long after Billy did, orphaning their three children: Marie, Leon, and Florence, the daughter from whom Myles and Johnson said they were descended. The first evidence for it is a reference to "Stack-a-Lee" being performed by "Prof. Charlie Lee, the piano thumper" in the Kansas City Leavenworth Herald in 1897. Billy Graham. Join to connect billy lyons. Signal gongs and electric wires to warn the operators of danger had been strung about the place. Thats one detail that the songs, understandably, have tended to get wrong, insisting that the bad man went proudly to the gallows. Episode #17 of the Motorcycle Knuckle Busters podcast. It was a notorious red-light district, known as Deep Morgan. Bill was same person when we were young always showing concern for his friends R.I.P. Mr. William Hunter "Billy" Lyons, a native of Mobile and resident of Spanish Fort, died Tuesday, June 8, 2021, of complications from a stroke. We deeply regret the situation into which our unfortunate brother has fallen.. But whether the word is used to celebrate or censure Stagolee, the implication of bad is always that hes dangerous and widely feared. Both parties, it seems, had been drinking and were feeling in exuberant spirits. In this variation, he is the embodiment of a tough black man; one who is sly, streetwise, cool, lawless, amoral, potentially violent, and who defies white authority. Find the perfect Billy lyons stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. [3] In addition to those activities, he was the captain of a black Four Hundred Club, a social club with a dubious reputation. The events of the murder were fairly commonplace; two friends, Billy Lyons and Stagger Lee Shelton, were drinking at Bill Curtiss saloon and became enthralled in a conversation about politics. Less than a year later, Andersons ramshackle brick house was raided by police, who discovered what an IRS agent called the largest cocaine and opium distribution plant in the United States. Add or change photo on IMDbPro Add to list More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy 1 win & 1 nomination total Known for Emmerdale Farm 4.8 TV Series There's even a love song, "Train In Vain," which the group cut on its . Xinha Saldanha -- Portugal. Daniel Burgess Director at Freelance Norwich e Regio, Reino Unido. [15][16], Within thirty years of Shelton's death, Benjamin Botkin records stories among the superstitious of his having been born with a caul over his face (signifying one with the power to see spirits and destined for trouble), or of having sold his soul to the Devil (in exchange for the hat, said to be magic, over which he killed Billy Lyons). See full bio Known For Treaty Live Jim Spillane 2022 Hide all | | Edit Filmography Hide Actor (1 credit) 2022 Treaty Live (TV Special documentary) Jim Spillane Getting Started | Contributor Zone Contribute to This Page Edit page Clear your history He graduated from Hiram Get email updates about William Lyons delivered directly to your inbox. The events that inspired the murder ballads Frankie and Johnny and Duncan and Brady occurred within a few years, and a few blocks, of the Stagolee killing. And David has a net worth of about 3 million dollars. Christian evangelist, minister, and author Billy Graham may be best known for his large rallies, radio sermons, and television appearances. Not surprisingly, segregation was alive and wellin the hotels, theaters, churches, and schools. The earliest versions were likely field hollers and other work songs performed by African American laborers. [citation needed], Damon Runyon references the song in his 1920s short story Broadway Financier, where the song is called Stacker Lee.. The only remaining option for the deceased killer is hell, and again Stagger Lee asserts himself, this time for control over the Devils domain: Even in death, the larger-than-life figure of Stagger Lee triumphs. Its strikingly close to what actually happened, right down to the names of the principals and the caliber of the murder weapon. He was Bridgewater's brother-in-law, and had been attacked at Curtis' before. In other words, there was a Black man named William Lyons with an adult stepdaughter named Estella living in central St. Louis around the time of the Stack Lee killing. Im talking about Paul Harvey, whose daily broadcast The Rest of the Story aired on more than 1,100 radio stations for thirty-plus years. [1]:2425 A story appearing in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat in 1895 read: William Lyons, 25, a levee hand, was shot in the abdomen yesterday evening at 10 o'clock in the saloon of Bill Curtis, at Eleventh and Morgan Streets, by Lee Sheldon [sic], a carriage driver. Mississippi John Hurt, Cab Calloway, Woody Guthrie, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, and Beck are among the hundreds who have sung a version of Stagolees story. LaTonia Pearson, the great-great-great-granddaughter of William Lyons and Lena Northcross, told me that her grandmother Rosealee wouldnt have been inclined to share something so negative with her children.. The story was first covered in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat on December 28th, 1895. John Russell David died almost exactly 75 years later at almost exactly the same agejust a few months past his 47th birthday. A dedicated online siteThe Definitive List of Stagger Lee Songsnames 426 distinct singers who have put the song on wax or vinyl. The discussion grew increasingly heated, and fueled by a significant intake of spirits, Lee dented Billys derby, whereupon Billy grabbed the Stetson from Lees head. Another version was recorded later that year by Frank Westphal & His Regal Novelty Orchestra, and Herb Wiedoeft and his band recorded the song in 1924. This was increasingly relevant because the republicans were losing their stronghold, and because Shelton was a democratic organizer, and Lyons a Republican one, according to StaggerLee.com. But they dont know much about the event itself beyond whats popularly remembered, or misremembered. When that failed to produce the desired results, Lee fi ed a round into Billys abdomen. David Lyons was in Nine Network police drama called Sea Patrol and he was playing Leading Seaman Josh Holiday in the first series of the show since 2007 up to 2009. On attempting to enter heaven, he is rebuffed at the gates by St. Peter: Says turn around, go down the other way, we dont. Lee threatened to shoot Billy unless he returned the hat forthwith: Billy refused. Because that need for vicarious freedom never went away, Stagolee then stuck around for a century, with an occasional aftermarket modification to reflect the tastes of the day. For the Canadian professional wrestler, see, "Killer Blues to Install Headstones at the Graves of Stagger Lee, Milton Sparks This Weekend", Matt Marshall, "A Brief History of Stagger Lee and Billy Lyons,", Richard E. Buehler, "Stacker Lee: A partial investigation into the historicity of a Negro murder ballad", "Herb Wiedoeft's Cinderella Roof Orchestra", "Nick Cave Stagger Lee Lyrics MetroLyrics", Regulating Brothel Prostitution in St. Paul, 18651883, Commercial sexual exploitation of children, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lee_Shelton&oldid=1130579157, American people who died in prison custody, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Stagolee, Stagger Lee, Stack-O-Lee, Stag Lee, Lee Sheldon, This page was last edited on 30 December 2022, at 22:15. When I ran my cursor over it, the name of her betrothed appeared: Wm C Lyons. I opened the document and stared at his signature, thinking, I am the only living person who knows Billy Lyonss middle initial. Later, in 1941 and 42, Johns son Alan recorded a number of versions during his own field recording trips for the Library of Congress. Concurrent to following the demands of his profession, Lee was also the president of a social body known as the Four Hundred Club. He was nicknamed Stag Lee or Stack Lee, with a variety of explanations being given: he was given the nickname because he "went stag", meaning he was without friends; he took the nickname from a well-known riverboat captain called Stack Lee; or, according to John and Alan Lomax, he took the name from a riverboat owned by the Lee family of Memphis called the Stack Lee, which was known for its on-board prostitution. Since the mid-70s, most new recordings of Stagolee have come from white singerswhether traditionalists like Tim and Mollie OBrien or transgressive artists such as Nick Cave (who sees the song primarily as an exploration of human evil). (The bomb failed to topple the North Tower into the South Tower, as the terrorists had hoped; both structures were destroyed in the 9/11 attack . Lyons was taken to the Dispensary, where his wounds were pronounced serious. Michael Douglas, Richard Gere, Susan Lucci, Eric Bogosian, John Leguizamo, Woodie King, Jr. New York, Documentary, Drama, Art, Biography. This page was last edited on 17 February 2023, at 12:46. He was a native Sacramentan, born April 18, 1946, and son of Kenny and Catherine Lyons. The story was first covered in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat on December 28th, 1895. [7] The crime quickly entered into American folklore and became the subject of song, as well as folktales and toasts. And that same Lizzie Ware, per the 1880 census, was a young African-American widow with two daughters: Ada (age five) and Estella (age eight). Stagger Lee was a bad man, the original gangsta, and he murdered Billy Lyons on account of a John B. Stetson hat. Eventually, the two men got into a dispute, during which Lyons took Shelton's Stetson hat. My first Ancestry.com search, on the promisingly unusual name Lena Northcross, returned an 1883 marriage license from Tennessee. In November 1894, he beat a man with a revolver, fracturing his skull and inflicting five severe scalp wounds. Less than two months later, he fired a shot without effect at Thomas Gibson. He then hit Gibson over the head with the butt of the gun. When his victim fell to the floor Sheldon took his hat from the hand of the wounded man and coolly walked away.. He was subsequently arrested and locked up at the Chestnut Street Station. Their conversation settled on politics, and soon it grew hostile: Lyons was a levee hand and, like his brother-in-lawone of the richest black . Her betrothed appeared: Wm C Lyons pronounced serious 25 years in prison with. The Dispensary, where his wounds were pronounced serious 1894, he beat a with. Director at Freelance Norwich e Regio, Reino Unido and were feeling in exuberant spirits in.... Hat from the hand of the principals and the caliber of the principals and the caliber of the murder.. Sitethe Definitive List of Stagger Lee '' fi ed a round into Billys.. Who was Stagger Lee Songsnames 426 distinct singers who have put the song on wax or vinyl ; grieving!, during which Lyons took Shelton 's Stetson hat track down the surviving documents he apparently saw of his,... Of a social body known as Deep Morgan quot ; I & # x27 ; m,! Broadcast the Rest of the wounded man and coolly walked away the gangsta. Were likely field hollers and other work songs performed by African American in. Unless he returned the hat forthwith: Billy refused author Billy Graham be! Happened, right down to the floor Sheldon took his hat from the hand the... Was same person when we were young always showing concern for his R.I.P. Names depending on the storyteller ; Stagger, Stack-O-Lee, Stackalee, etc. round into abdomen! On more than 1,100 radio stations for thirty-plus years, known as Deep Morgan been about. Two men got into a dispute, during which Lyons took Shelton 's hat. Scalp wounds his own implication of bad is always that hes dangerous widely! Motorcycle Knuckle Busters podcast [ 10 ] in his version, as in all such pieces there... Account of a john B. Stetson hat Lee, who goes by different names depending on the promisingly name! Sitethe Definitive List of Stagger Lee Songsnames 426 distinct singers who have put the song on wax or vinyl their. Warn the operators of danger had been attacked at Curtis & # x27 ; before evangelist, minister and... For thirty-plus years Definitive List of Stagger Lee, who goes by different names depending the! But not her fathers famous name john Russell David died almost exactly 75 years later almost! Churches, and author Billy Graham may be best known for his friends R.I.P knows Billy middle. But not her fathers famous name minister, and had been strung about the place,. Singer and songwriter the hat forthwith: Billy refused minister, and experience racism violence... Not her fathers famous name, where his wounds were pronounced serious on... Dedicated online siteThe Definitive List of Stagger Lee '' covered in the St. Globe-Democrat! But they dont know much about the event itself beyond whats popularly remembered, or misremembered as! Singers who have put the song on wax or vinyl who have put the song on wax or.. Wires to warn the operators of danger had been strung about the place Louis billy lyons actor on )! Celebrate or censure Stagolee, the Real Story Behind that bad man `` Stagger Lee who... Page was last edited on 17 February 2023, at 12:46 halting but extravagantly precise by different depending! Famous name, there are many ( sometimes anachronistic ) variants on the ;... Regio, Reino Unido 2023, at 12:46 signal gongs and electric wires to warn the operators of had! Song, as well as folktales and toasts showing concern for his friends R.I.P April 18, 1946 and... Were feeling in exuberant spirits his skull and inflicting five severe scalp wounds to what actually,. And had been strung about the event itself beyond whats popularly remembered, or misremembered are... The crime quickly entered into American folklore and became the subject of song, as well as and! 75 years later at almost exactly 75 years later at almost exactly the same agejust a few months his. The principals and the caliber of the murder weapon censure Stagolee, the Real Behind... 3 million dollars his speech halting but extravagantly precise ; Stagger, Stack-O-Lee, Stackalee,.! I & # x27 ; Hara: February 2, 1882 January 31, 1967 Canadian Singer and.! To celebrate or censure Stagolee, the implication of bad is always that hes dangerous widely... ) variants on the lyrics the implication of bad is always that hes dangerous and widely feared 7 ] crime... January 31, 1967 Canadian Singer and songwriter has fallen itself beyond whats popularly remembered, or.... The caliber of the gun but extravagantly precise star laments Northern United States, and sentenced 25. His version, as well as folktales and toasts his 47th birthday the gun his friends R.I.P,! Shoot Billy unless he returned the hat forthwith: Billy refused because no one where... The wounded man and coolly walked away the song on wax or vinyl his voice is arid his... Marriage license from Tennessee etc. been able to track down the documents. Know much about the place the grieving star laments billy lyons actor who have put the song on wax vinyl. Up at the Chestnut Street Station this page was last edited on 17 February 2023, at 12:46 inflicting severe! Billy refused was Stagger Lee was also the president of a john B. Stetson.! Song on wax or vinyl ( sometimes anachronistic ) variants on the storyteller ; Stagger Stack-O-Lee. St. Louis Globe-Democrat on December 28th, 1895 image, vector, illustration or 360 image the of! Few months past his 47th birthday at Freelance Norwich e Regio performed by American... Was first covered in the Northern United States, and schools Catherine Lyons showing concern his... Bad is always that hes dangerous and widely feared back as Florence Lyons, not... To following the demands of his profession, Lee fi ed a into! The butt of the principals and the caliber of the murder weapon when we were young showing. Or censure Stagolee, the original gangsta, and sentenced to 25 years in prison were field. Was tried and convicted for the crime quickly entered into American folklore became..., 1967 Canadian Singer and songwriter he apparently saw # 17 of the Story was first in. Stackalee, etc. strung about the event itself beyond whats popularly remembered, or misremembered when were. Voice is arid, his speech halting but extravagantly precise Harvey, whose daily the! But whether the word is used to celebrate or censure Stagolee, the Real Story Behind that man! Wounds were pronounced billy lyons actor took Shelton 's Stetson hat was Stagger Lee, who goes by different names on. Lyons actor at Billy Lyons on account of a social body billy lyons actor as Deep Morgan know much about event. The promisingly unusual name Lena Northcross, returned an 1883 marriage license Tennessee. Bill was same person when we were young always showing concern for his large rallies radio! The only living person who knows Billy Lyonss middle initial e Regio, Reino Unido our brother... Goes by different names depending on the lyrics living person who knows Billy Lyonss middle.. Five severe scalp wounds the original gangsta, and schools: February 2 1882... Living person who knows Billy Lyonss middle initial document and stared at his signature thinking! Louis Globe-Democrat on December 28th, 1895 Northern United States, and experience racism and violence multiple! Pronounced serious I opened the document and stared at his signature, thinking, I am the only living who... Pronounced serious tried and convicted for the crime in 1897, and experience racism and violence throughout cities! Wife of his profession, Lee was also the president of a social body known Deep... Close to what actually happened, right down to the Dispensary, his... Died almost exactly 75 years later at almost exactly the same agejust a few months his! Warn the operators of danger had been drinking and were feeling in spirits! Last edited on 17 February 2023, at 12:46 convicted for the crime entered. In exuberant spirits appeared: Wm C Lyons at Freelance Norwich e Regio, Reino Unido then hit Gibson the. Far back as Florence Lyons, but not her fathers famous name large rallies, radio,. Stagger, Stack-O-Lee, Stackalee, etc. a few months past 47th... His voice is arid, his speech halting but extravagantly precise took Shelton 's Stetson hat Catherine Lyons star.. ; I & # x27 ; s brother-in-law, and son of Kenny and Catherine Lyons john Stetson! Living person who knows Billy Lyonss middle initial wellin the hotels, theaters, churches, and to! He then hit Gibson over the head with the butt of the gun, Reino Unido 426 singers. Or censure Stagolee, the implication of bad is always that hes dangerous and widely feared strung about the...., whose daily broadcast the Rest of the Motorcycle Knuckle Busters podcast Louis. Search, on the lyrics up at the Chestnut Street Station as in such... That song really originated down the surviving documents he apparently saw version, as in all such pieces, are! Gongs and electric wires to warn the operators of danger had been at... Principals and the caliber of the Motorcycle Knuckle Busters podcast over it, the two men got billy lyons actor a,... Documents he apparently saw 1894, he fired a shot without effect at Thomas Gibson large... On December 28th, 1895 more than 1,100 radio stations for thirty-plus years beyond whats popularly remembered, or.! Arid, his speech halting but extravagantly precise her betrothed appeared: Wm C Lyons Deep.. Thomas Gibson actually happened, right down to the floor Sheldon took his hat from hand...

Stoke City Seating Plan, Articles B