One of the background vocalists on Caribou‘s Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me died on Saturday.
Billy Hinsche also recorded with Joan Jett and Warren Zevon. He had been diagnosed with lung cancer, and was 70 years old. Coincidentally, his mother, Celia, passed on the same day.
In the sixties, he was in a group with Desi Arnaz, Jr. and Dean Paul Martin. Dino, Desi & Billy found chart success with songs like I’m a Fool and Not the Lovin’ Kind. After the group split, Billy became a backing musician for the Beach Boys.
From 1998-2010, Ricci, Desi & Billy performed and released music, replacing Dean Paul, who died in a plane crash in 1987, with his brother, Ricci (who passed away five years ago).
During the Covid lockdown, Hinsche performed a series of shows called Live from Billy’s Place on Facebook Live. The third installment included a bit about recording for Sir Elton.
This can be accessed via
