Ervin Williams

Ervin L. "Wee Willie" Williams (December 18, 1935 - August 28, 1999) was an American rockabilly pioneer musician.

Nicknamed "Wee Willie" as well as "Early," Williams was born in Millinocket, Maine where began playing guitar as a boy. In his teens he became part of The Northern Lights, a band that toured his native Maine and across the nearby border in New Brunswick, Canada. He eventually made his way to Virginia where he became Gene Vincent's first rhythm guitarist as part of "The Blue Caps." When Vincent was signed by Capitol Records, Wee Willie Williams participated in the creation of classic recordings such as 1956's "Be Bop-A-Lula" and "Race with the Devil."

For his pioneering role in the genre, Williams has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Williams died as the result of an accidental gunshot injury in Bradenton, Florida in August, 1999.