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Billy Tipton

Recordings
Photos & The Book
Clippings (after death)
Clippings (before death) this page
Songs About Billy

Early Clippings

in 1940-41 he toured with the Scott Cameron band
and it is also written that he earlier was in
Louvenie's Western Swingbillies (1938-40)
but I found no clippings that documented that

Prior to forming his trio he performed at these venues

and circa 1949 he played with George Mayer's Sophisticated Swing Trio,
but again, I found no clippings for that band that mention Billy,
still I think it likely was in the "trio"...they played all summer in Oregon

Mid-1952, first ad sightings of the Billy Tipton Trio

and, there many more clippings than the ones I pulled,
I selected representative ones from different years and venues

1953

1954

below, at a food center!

1955

1956

1957

ads for his LPs

1958

above, with 'mystery' performers?

1959

1960

mystery revealed: Lee Leonard, Jasmine and Robin Raye.
Lee Leonard was already a well-known female impersonator,
at clubs like Finochio's, and later, in the 70s
released comedy LPs as Liz Lyons and had a sex change

1961

1962

in 1962 everyone was doing the twist

He played at Harbottle's for many months

1963

1964

above left, alas, Danny's star did not rise

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

1970

slow news day

1971

1974