Western swing band founded in 1934 by Bob Wills after leaving The Light Crust Doughboys, active until 1965, reuniting for a final recording session with an ailing Wills in 1973. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1968, and into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame (as "Early Influence") in 1999.
After the initial breakup in 1965, the band continued performing briefly "The Texas Playboys", led by Leon Rausch. The would reunite again as The Original Texas Playboys Under The Direction Of Leon McAuliffe from 1973-1986, until the death of pianist Al Stricklin. At that point, Leon Rausch and Tommy Allsup purchased the rights to use the name "Bob Wills' Texas Playboys" from Betty Wills and continued touring.
More than 600 artists played with the Texas Playboys during their lifetime.
Western swing band founded in 1934 by Bob Wills after leaving The Light Crust Doughboys, active until 1965, reuniting for a final recording session with an ailing Wills in 1973. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1968, and into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame (as "Early Influence") in 1999.
After the initial breakup in 1965, the band continued performing briefly "The Texas Playboys", led by Leon Rausch. The would reunite again as The Original Texas Playboys Under The Direction Of Leon McAuliffe from 1973-1986, until the death of pianist Al Stricklin. At that point, Leon Rausch and Tommy Allsup purchased the rights to use the name "Bob Wills' Texas Playboys" from Betty Wills and continued touring.
More than 600 artists played with the Texas Playboys during their lifetime.