Born in Pocahontas along Rock 'n' Roll Highway 67, Billy Lee Riley became known for leading one of the hottest rock bands on the touring circuit. During four years at Sun Records, he recorded singles that influenced rock musicians for decades. Influenced by African American delta music, Riley, the son of a northeast Arkansas sharecropper, credited black farm workers with teaching him guitar and giving him an appreciation for the blues. He began recording in 1955 and joined Jack Clement in Memphis; both soon worked for Sam Phillips at Sun Records. Riley released his first single, "Flyin' Saucer Rock 'n Roll," in early 1957, and the song gave his band its name, the Little Green Men. Later that year he recorded "Red Hot," which won acclaim but sold only marginally and was overshadowed by Jerry Lee Lewis's "Great Balls of Fire." He also recorded songs including "Wouldn't You Know" and "One More Time." Riley and his band, especially guitarist Roland Janes and drummer J.M. Van Eaton, became well known for their live shows, whose tight sound and high energy were considered among the best in the business. Although chart success eluded him, he was highly respected in the recording industry and continued to be recognized by figures such as Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan decades after his years at Sun. He remains a revered figure in rockabilly music history.