Billy Delle

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About Billy Delle

If you're a hard core fan of New Orleans music, you're undoubtedly familiar with WWOZ show host Billy Delle of "Records from the Crypt" fame. He's been lifting the lid off the crypt to resurrect some incredible New Orleans rhythm & blues for 'OZ fans since 1982, when the station was broadcasting from the top floor of Tipitina's on Napoleon Avenue.

Billy Delle admits to owning close to 50,000 LPs and 45s. His passion for the hobby was fueled by amazing garage sale finds. "You couldn't get records from Little Richard or Fats Domino in good condition," says Billy, "'cause everybody would play 'em." But every so often, he adds, you could get some great music that was obscure and in great condition. When that happened, "I had to backtrack [and start researching]." It became a "retroactive ongoing process!" The name "Records from the Crypt" was inspired by another of Billy's passions — comic books! He was an avid reader of D.C. Comics' Strange Tales in the 1940s and '50s.

When away from the Crypt — in the glaring light of day, Billy manages Sally's Beauty Supply on Veterans Blvd. He's been there for more than 30 years now, and some of the stories he tells about that part of his life are just as fascinating as his musical adventures. But let's face it — if life in New Orleans is amazing, it stands to reason that the music "is just amazing," too!

By Maryse Dejean [August, 2004]