Billy Barnes

Cast · Writer

Born

January 27, 1927 · Los Angeles, California, USA

Died

September 25, 2012

Birth name

William Christopher Barnes Jr.

Billy Barnes was known as the "Revue Master of Hollywood" in the 1950s and 1960s, creating the famous "Billy Barnes Revues", including "Billy Barnes' People", "Billy Barnes' Hollywood", "Billy Barnes' Party", and "Billy Barnes' LA". Barnes composed the ballad "(Have I Stayed) Too Long at the Fair", introduced by his then-wife, Joyce Jameson, in the original "Billy Barnes Revue" and subsequently popularized by Barbra Streisand, and the jazz standard "Something Cool", recorded by June Christy. Barnes was the musical director for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967) television show in the 1960s, and he is famous for composing "special material" - comedic and topical songs - for many of show business's greatest personalities.