William Hector Rankin III (born 23 March 1951) is an English rock drummer, active in the 1960s and 1970s.
He joined Kippington Lodge in 1968 and remained with them when they evolved into Brinsley Schwarz in 1969. He played on all Brinsley Schwarz's albums, and whilst with them, also drummed on albums for Ernie Graham, Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers, Colin Scot and Frankie Miller.[ Allmusic credits for Billy Rankin] Retrieved 3 September 2009
After Brinsley Schwarz broke up in 1974, Rankin briefly joined Ducks DeluxeDucks Deluxe – The Manband Archive Retrieved 3 September 2009 for their final tours, and played on their final album Last Night of a Pub Rock Band, recorded at London's 100 Club on 1 July 1975. He briefly joined Terraplane but did not record with them, and also appeared on two albums for Dave Edmunds. He joined Big Jim Sullivan's Tiger with whom he recorded two albums, before retiring from the music industry
In October 2007 Tyla, Belmont, Groome and Rankin reformed Ducks Deluxe, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their formation, and performed at the 100 Club, the venue of their final performance in 1975.
Discography With Brinsley Schwarz
Brinsley Schwarz Despite It All Nervous on the Road Silver Pistol Please Don't Ever Change Original Golden Greats Unknown Numbers (bootleg) What IS So Funny About Peace Love & Understanding? Cruel to Be Kind The New Favourites of... Brinsley Schwarz
With Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers
Kings of the Robot Rhythm
With Colin Scot
Colin Scot
With Dave Edmunds
Subtle as a Flying Mallet Get It
With Ducks Deluxe
Last Night of a Pub Rock Band
With Ernie Graham
Ernie Graham
With Frankie Miller
Once in a Blue Moon
With Nick Lowe
Jesus of Cool (Bonus tracks only)
Quiet Please... The New Best of Nick Lowe
With Big Jim Sullivan's Tiger
Tiger Going Down Laughing
References