The Renowned Billy Waters
60mins Certificate: no ratingThe Renowned Billy Waters
Music journalist and historian Tony Montague talks about his research into the life of Billy Waters, who first brought African American music and dance to Britain.
Waters [c1776-1823] served as a naval gunner in the Napoleonic Wars, lost one leg in a fall, and supported a family as a fiddling, singing, and dancing busker on the streets of Regency London.
He became a celebrated and legendary figure, but was ruthlessly exploited then defamed. ‘The Renowned Billy Waters’ - presented at the British Library in 2024 - traces his remarkable narrative in 50 images, with sound clips and a short video.
Image used with permission of The National Library of Ireland