billy-miller-rip

Norton Records cofounder Billy Miller, RIP

billy-miller-rip

Norton Records co-founder Billy Miller, who had been battling multiple myeloma, has died. Norton band Daddy Long Legs posted this on Facebook:

It’s with a heavy heart we must say goodbye to our hero, mentor and great friend Billy Miller of Norton Records. This band was started over a mutual love of the unhinged Rock ‘n’ Roll he and his wonderful wife Miriam Linna exposed us to long before we would begin making unhinged sounds of our own that would one day grace the shelves at Norton HQ. It’s been a joy to work so closely with Billy on our releases and countless events throughout our career. His wit was unmatched and he was the ultimate record collector. So much of what we’ve done would not be possible without the path he forged for us. We’ve been so proud to be a part of the culture he and Miriam have created and that’s something we will continue to champion until the end of our days. Rest In Peace Billy Miller. Never to be forgotten.

Miller and wife Miriam Linna started Norton Records in 1986 (they published fanzine Kicks before that), the first release being Hasil Adkins’ Out to Hunch, which set a course for the label’s bread-and-butter: rockabilly, soul and garage. (They also played in bands such as the Zantees and the A-Bones.) The label survived the floods of Sandy and Norton opened its Prospect Heights storefront shop earlier this year.

Billy was a true-believer and his spirit lives on through the label and his music. Rest in peace.