Wet Willie-Wet Willie (1971)

Wet Willie is another iconic Southern rock band from Alabama. Their beginnings date back to the early 1970s when drummer Lewis Ross brought together several musicians to initially form a band called Fox in Mobile. These musicians were vocalist and harmonica player Jimmy Hall, guitarist Ricky Hirsch, keyboardist John David Anthony, bassist Jack Hall, and backing vocalist Donna Hall. After many months of playing gigs in clubs in their hometown, the band decided to move to Macon, Georgia, the heart of Southern rock and home to the legendary Capricorn Records label. In 1971, thanks to some excellent shows as the opening act for The Allman Brothers Band, Capricorn Records produced their self-titled debut album, "Wet Willie", which showcased their distinctive Southern style infused with funk, gospel, and boogie rock. This first album featured the powerful rock tracks “Dirty Leg” and “Spinning Round,” the commercial and gritty “Low Rider”, the funky “Rock and Roll Band”, and the powerful boogie-rock anthem “Shame, Shame, Shame”. From then on, Wet Willie would go on to record seven more studio albums between 1971 and 1979, achieving a surprising top ten hit with their third album, “Keep On Smilin’ ”, in 1974, in addition to several live albums and compilations. At the end of 1976, Wet Willie received the United States Music Award at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Then, in 2014, the band was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame for their outstanding contributions to rock music, and Southern rock in particular.