Elvis Presley Songwriter Billy Strange Passes Away

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesBilly Strange, a songwriter, arranger and guitarist who co-wrote the Elvis Presley hits "A Little Less Conversation" and "Memories," died Tuesday in Nashville at age 81.  The news was revealed in a Twitter message by Nancy Sinatra, with whom Strange frequently collaborated during the 1960s.

"My dear friend, the legendary guitarist/arranger Billy Strange passed away," she wrote.  "My heart is shattered."

According to The Tennessean, Strange played guitar on Nancy's hit version of Cher's top 5 single "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)," as well as songs by The Beach Boys, The Everly Brothers, Randy Newman and many others.  He also arranged such classic tunes as Nancy's "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" and "Somethin' Stupid" -- her chart-topping duet with her father, Frank Sinatra.  In addition, he helped run a publishing company for the Sinatras.

Strange's songwriting resume also includes "Limbo Rock," a #2 hit for Chubby Checker in 1962.

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