Billy Strange

Billy Strange was an influential American guitarist, songwriter, arranger, and actor, best known for his work as a session musician in the 1960s and 1970s. Born on September 29, 1930, in Long Beach, California, he became a prominent member of the Wrecking Crew, the legendary group of studio musicians who played on countless hit records in Los Angeles.

Strange played guitar on numerous classic tracks, including hits by Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, Nancy Sinatra, and Frank Sinatra. He arranged and co-wrote several of Nancy Sinatra’s biggest hits, most famously "These Boots Are Made for Walkin’." He also collaborated with Elvis Presley as both a guitarist and arranger on many film soundtracks and albums.

In addition to his musical achievements, Strange occasionally appeared in films and TV shows and contributed to a number of iconic TV and film scores. He passed away on February 22, 2012, in Franklin, Tennessee, leaving behind a legacy as one of the key behind-the-scenes figures in American pop music history.