B.B. King and Ron Levy - When I'm Wrong

B.B. King and Ron Levy – When I’m Wrong

A birthday shout-out to keyboardist extraordinaire, Ron Levy.

Born Reuvin Zev bin Yehoshua Ha Levij in Cambridge, MA in 1951, his first instrument was clarinet but at the age of thirteen, after seeing Ray Charles perform live he only wanted to play piano.

His list of influences expanded to include Jimmy Smith, Booker T. Washington and Billy Preston among others and learning the Hammond organ.

Still in high school, he was playing in Boston blues clubs, backing touring National acts and this is where Albert King spotted him, bringing the school-kid into his band.

After eighteen months with Albert, Levy joined with another King, B. B. and toured and recorded with him from for almost seven years.

This track is from their last LP together, “Lucille Talks Back” (ABC 1975).

Inspired by Earl Hooker’s work with the wah-wah, B. B. tries his hand with the effect on this track and graciously gives Levy a solo turn.

The line-up on the number is: B. B. King: guitar & vocal / Ron Levy: piano / Milton Hopkins: rhythm guitar / Rudy Aikels: bass / John Starks (Jabo): drums

Levy continued to work steadily after leaving B. B.’s employ, first with the Rhythm Rockers from 1976 to 1980 (during which time he met Ronnie Earl). Then as a member of Roomful of Blues from 1983 to 1987.

After that, he formed his own band, Ron Levy’s Wild Kingdom and released LPs under his own name.

Lyrics:
I’m in the wrong business
I swear I ain’t lyin’
I stay hungry, broke all the time
I’m gonna send my guitar home
Leave these blues alone
I’m in the wrong business
I ain’t lyin’
Should have been a boxer
Makin’ the movie “Rocky 3”
I would be a star Like the wrestler Mr. T
Should’ve been like Michael Jackson
When I was the age of five
But chose this guitar
Now I’m broke and can’t survive
I’m in the wrong business
I ain’t lyin’ ‘Cause I stay hungry, broke all the time
I’m gonna send my guitar home
Leave these blues alone
I’m in the wrong business
I ain’t lyin’
These guitar freaks
Have made my blood sugar go up
Be better off
If I was driving a trailer truck
Like Boxcar Willie
I played these blues and made me a bum
I’m gonna give up this music
Move back to the farm
I’m in the wrong business
I ain’t lyin’
‘Cause I stay broke, hungry all the time
I’m gonna send my guitar home
Leave these blues alone
I’m in the wrong business
I ain’t lyin’
I’ve played these blues
Now I’m full up to my neck
If I keep on playin’
I tell you I’m gonna do like Johnny Paycheck
He had a job
Got money for years
I’m gonna shelve my guita
Are I ain’t got no job to shelve
I’m in the wrong business
I ain’t lyin’
Stay broke, hungry all the time
I’m gonna send my guitar home
Leave these blues alone
I’m in the wrong business
I ain’t lyin’
I’m in the wrong business
I ain’t lyin’, folks
Stay broke, hungry all the time
I’m gonna send my guitar home
Leave these blues alone
I’m in the wrong business
I ain’t lyin’