Forgotten Books Special: BILL CRIDER sings ELVIS!

One momentous day in history, Bill Crider sent Cap'n Bob Napier a cassette tape labeled "Billy Boy & the B.B.s." Bob thinks it was sometime in the '80s, but could have been a little earlier or later. In any case, the tape has languished in a drawer at Chez Napier all these many years, and made its World Premiere on YouTube just this week. 

Renaissance Man that Bill was, it seems possible he could have played all the instruments and sang lead and backup vocals at the same time, but it's more likely he used a karaoke tape, just as we lesser mortals might have done. The Bouchercon pics are thanks, once again, to Sir Arthur Scott. 

TEXAS LEADS THE WAY / GET OFF HER LAWN! Grandma Kills Alligator for Eating Her Horse

Art Scott sent this bit of news, wishing Bill Crider was still around to see it. Me too. 

Forgotten Books: THE BODY LOOKS FAMILIAR / THE LATE MRS. FIVE by Richard Wormser

Last week, while reading the new Stark House edition of these novels, I posted Bill Crider's fine Introduction (that's HERE). Now that I've read them, the best I can say is, "Bill was right!" 

I read The Late Mrs. Five first, because I was in the mood for first person, and it really hit the spot. As Bill noted, there were several likeable characters. In fact, just about all of them, including the antogonists, were likeable, which is quite an accomplishment. Wormser swatted his hero with a fistful of trouble, and just when it looked like his predicament could get no worse -- it got a way, way, way worse. 

The author was clearly having fun with narration, and I was too. There were plenty of witty and creative lines, and they seemed to get more plentiful as the story rolled on. And just when I thought I'd figured out where the story was going, it went somewhere else. And then somewhere else. Great job.

After taking time out for another of Will Murray's latest Doc Savage adventures, The Valley of Eternity, which was another great read (stay tuned for details), I turned to The Body Looks Familiar. 

As Bill said, not only are The Late Mrs. Five and The Body Looks Familiar about as different as two mysteries can be, The Body Looks Familiar is about as different as a mystery can get. It features two despicable protagonists doing their best to destroy each other, and a couple of well-meaning minor characters who represent the redeeming qualities of the human race. It's an intricate game of back-stabbling chess, in which the Deputy D.A. commits a murder in hopes of framing his arch rival, the Deputy Chief of Police. Innocent bystanders are advised to stand clear, because these guys are taking no prisoners. 

Right from the start, I had no idea where this one was going, and it kept me wondering right up to the end. If I enjoyed it a bit less than Mrs. Five, it was due to the unlikeability factor, but it was a unique experience I would not have wanted to miss. 

Forgotten Books: BILL CRIDER'S Intro to The Body Looks Familiar / The Late Mrs.Five by Richard Wormser

I've been reading this book, and it's mighty damn good. Bill Crider said pretty much the same thing (far more eruditely, and with a lot more words) in the Introduction he wrote last September for this new Stark House edition. So I'm going to shut up and let Bill tell you about it. (The fingers in these pics belong to my wife Irene, and if they're dirty it's because I interrupted her gardening to hold the book.) 

Once Again, Texas Leads the Way

A recycled post from 2010.
Bill's comment was, "I can hardly wait to get my own copy!"

FFB SPECIAL: A Celebration of Life: Allen Billy Crider (1941-2018)

Painful as this memorial service must have been, I know all of us in the FFB community wish we could have been there. So we're all indebted to Bill's compadre Scott Cupp for sharing this booklet. Bill will be greatly missed, every Friday and every other day.

BILL CRIDER SINGS with The Next Edition (2010-11)

BANANA BOAT SONG


WAIT TIL THE SUN SHINES, NELLIE


DARKNESS ON THE DELTA


IRISH BLESSING


HEART OF MY HEART


WIMOWEH

BILL CRIDER SINGS with the Fabulous G-Strings (2006-ish)

WE WORK HERE AT ACC (SLOOP JOHN B)


The Fabulous G-Strings, I deduce, were mostly or entirely teachers and administrators at Alvin Community College (of Alvin, TX, natch). The school lists "Allen Bill Crider" (real name "Billy," I believe) as Div. Chair, English & Fine Arts, Emeritus. Don't be put off by the squeezed images - the videos themselves are in proper perspective.

GRADE-O (DAY-O)


HARD, AIN'T IT HARD


WOMAN TEACHER (I'M A WOMAN)


THE WORKSHOP SONG (SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME)


DON'T FENCE ME IN


SIDE BY SIDE


I'M LOOKIN' OVER A FOUR-LEAF CLOVER (with different lyrics)


THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN (with different lyrics)

BILL CRIDER goes to BOUCHERCON, etc. Part 13 (2016-17)

Bill passed away yesterday, leaving me incredibly sad. I began this series of posts as a way of celebrating his life, and will continue with this final collection of photos, followed by two days of Bill's music. No tribute to this man could ever be sufficient, but it's the best I can do. I'm going to miss the hell out of him.

2016 - Sonoma, CA (Neary residence)

photos by Art Scott

Proud additions to his book collection

 with daughter Angela

hanging with Bruce Taylor

2016 - New Orleans

with Angela Crider Neary

with George and Diane Kelley, Jeff Meyerson, Deb Pfeifer and Jackie Meyerson

(from George's blog)

Left to right: Joe Lansdale, SJ Rozan, Lawrence Block, Catherine Coulter, Bill
(video posted by Lawrence Block)

with Jane Waterhouse, Craig Faustus Buck, Jeff Sanderson, Phoef Sutten, Robin Burcell and Lee Goldberg

(posted to Pinterest by Lee)

with Christa Faust

(pic by Jeff Meyerson)

Christa again, as Bill and Lee Goldberg look on

(this photo and the next three by Art Scott)

with (left to right) Jeff and Jackie Meyerson, Ann and Jeff Smith, Maggie Mason

Bill's friend and fan Thom Walls waits in line for an autograph

and gets it

2017 - Sonoma (Neary residence)

Thanks again to Art Scott

 with Tom and Angela Crider Neary

 with Bruce Taylor, Janet Rudolph and Art Scott

 with Frank Rudolph and Bruce

 the whole gang (except Art)

a satisfied man

2017 - Toronto

with Toni L.P. Kelner, Dana Cameron, G.M. Malliet, Janet Hutchings, Angela Crider Neary, Charlaine Harris, Paula Woldan and Brendan DuBois
(from the Fire Star Press blog)

with Angela and Dana Cameron
(from Something is Going to Happen)

with Frankie Bailey and Dana Cameron (front), Radha Vatsal, Catriona McPherson and Kenneth Wishnia (back)
(this and the following pics from the Fire Star Press blog)

 Mystery's Ambassador to Canada

standing really tall

Tomorrow: Bill and the Fabulous G-Strings

BILL CRIDER goes to BOUCHERCON, etc. Part 12 (2014-15)

Photos sources noted when known (or remembered)

2014 - Sonoma (Neary residence)

Bill and Bruce Taylor see something of interest

Judy wonders what it is

and finds that boys never stop being boys
(Arturo Scott, Paparazzo Supreme) 

2015 - Raleigh

with Lee Goldberg (from Lee's blog)

with Linda Landrigan, Josh Pachter and Janet Hutchings 

(from Something Is Going To Happen)

with Karin Slaughter, Megan Abbott and Lawrence Block

(pics above and below from The Rap Sheet)

with Ali Karim 

with Angela Crider Neary, Patti Abbott, George Kelley, Ted Fitzgerald, Thom Walls, Phil Abbott and Jackie Meyerson 
(from Bill's blog, photo by Jeff Meyerson)

 with Kaye Wilkinson Barley
(above and below from Kaye's blog)

with Lesa Holstine

2015 - Pronzini residence

Bill, Bruce and Bill

and all the books . . .

. . . in the world

(shot by Art Scott)