Bill Reed

Bill came from a very musical family. His journey towards being the Diamonds bass singer came when his father used to coach Mike, Bob and Tedd at his house. Bill even suggested a name for the group - The Boulevardiers. Bill Reed senior would always tell young Bill to "Pump that Bass" - and pump that bass he did. Bill had a very black sounding voice - so much so that listeners often thought that The Diamonds were black. Bill was a Diamond for six years - from 1953 until 1958. Bill had a great love for music - especially the style of music that was performed by groups such as The Four Freshmen, The Delta Rhythm Boys, The Ink Spots and The Mills Brothers.

Bill was the only other diamond to share lead singing duties with Dave Somerville. His solos can be heard on a number of recordings - including the Canadian top thirty hit - Sweet Wild Honey.(see below). He also features on You are the Limit, Zip Zip, Till My Baby Comes Home, Honey and For You Alone from The Diamonds first album. Bill solos on both sides of the Diamonds first ever single, Nip Sip/Black Denim Trousers - also the single Don't Say Goodbye, and You'll Never Walk Alone from the album "The Diamonds meet Pete Rugolo". Bill is probably most famous however for his spoken solo verse in Little Darlin' - along with Tedd Kowalski's falsetto "la la la la", this solo is one of the most memorable parts of the song. Bill even reprised the spoken solo bridge in The Diamonds' very next hit - Words of Love.

Bill was also famous for delivering so many of the one liners in many of The Diamonds songs. These can be heard on numbers such as Ka Ding Dong, Ev'ry Minute of the Day, The Church Bells May Ring, High Sign, Don't Let Me Down,Oh How I Wish, and Where Mary Go,

Bill has left us with some wonderful contributions to popular music. His bass vocals on so many of The Diamonds hits are unsurpassed. Bill performed several times with The Diamonds during the 80's, 90s and 2000s. The foursome got together in 2004 to perform in Canada - a part of a celebration when the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame. Bill passed away in late 2004.

Above: The Argentine release of Sweet Wild Honey - Bill Reed sang lead on this one, which became a top 30 hit in his native Canada.

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Above: "Like father....like son...."The Garden City Four featuring Bill's dad, bass singer Harold George Reed (far right)

Below: Young Bill Reed