Billy Beck

William "Billy" Beck was born in Youngstown, OH, in 1953. A musical prodigy, he began playing piano at age four and became a pioneering force in funk music. in 1973, Beck joined the legendary Ohio Players and helped shape the band's signature sound. He performed on and co-wrote hits including "Fire", "Love Rollercoaster", "Skin Tight", and "Sweet Sticky Thing". Beyond the Ohio Players, Beck collaborated with Roger Troutman, Zapp, and Shirley Murdock, and co-wrote the title track of Mavis and Pops Staples' Grammy Award-winning album Father Father, earning one of his two Grammy Awards.