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Beyond his irreplaceable bass rhythm on record, in many ways Bill Black had been the backbone of Elvis’ early live performances with an effervescent on-stage persona that was often relied upon to warm up an audience. As has been widely publicised, however, Col Parker didn’t like anything that distracted from his boy. Nonetheless, Bill was destined to entertain with or without Elvis and when The Blue Moon Boys eventually parted ways with Presley, Bill Black’s Combo was quickly assembled with hotshot guitarist Reggie Young. In December 1959 debut instrumental 45 Smokie, Part 2, issued through Hi Records, landed at No.17 in the Billboard. Young would get his own draft papers soon after…