Billy Cotton

Billy Cotton was a popular British bandleader and entertainer best known for his work during the mid-20th century. He led the Billy Cotton Band, which gained widespread fame for its upbeat dance band music and catchphrase “Wakey Wakey!” from the long-running BBC radio program, The Billy Cotton Band Show. The show, which combined music and comedy, ran from the 1940s through the 1960s and cemented Cotton’s status as a household name in the UK.

Before becoming a musical figure, Cotton had an eclectic early life that included serving in World War I and briefly pursuing motor racing. His band often featured vocalists like Alan Breeze and specialized in lively tunes that mixed jazz, swing, and traditional British music hall styles. With a career that bridged live performance, radio, and early television, Billy Cotton remains a nostalgic favorite for fans of classic British entertainment.

Genres

Big Band

Related Artists

Bing Crosby

Frank Sinatra

Dean Martin

Nat King Cole

Tony Bennett

Henry Hall

Carroll Gibbons

Ray Noble

Sammy Davis Jr.

Mel Tormé

Glenn Miller

Benny Goodman

Latest Release

Billy Cotton - Golden Collection, Vol. 1

Billy Cotton

Album - 26 Tracks - Released April 4, 2025