Billy Wilson and Chip Garnett

Billy Wilson met Chip Garnett when Wilson was conducting auditions for Bubbling Brown Sugar. Garnett had a “voice to make everyone swoon,” and was then cast as Jim / Nightclub singer. From here their relationship blossomed, and other than additionally assisting Wilson on both Eubie and Stop the World, Garnett and Wilson were partners for 18 years. Garnett even helped raise Wilson’s children, and the pair lived together until they passed away from HIV/AIDS six months apart.

 

 

Sources:

Bubbling Brown Sugar, Wikipedia  
A Celebration of the Life of Billy Wilson, dancer, choreographer, director, educator, Facebook 
5/8: HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHIP GARNETT… – Theatre World Awards, Facebook 

 

 

More about Chip Garnett

Chip Garnett began his career in Ft. Wayne, Indiana where he is from. He majored in music, dance, and voice at Indiana University and toured with the USO before he was brought to New York when discovered by the late Duke Ellington, beginning as a soloist. His first New York role was in Ellington’s Sacred Concert Series in 1972. In New York City he also worked on Broadway, debuting in Harold Prince’s 1974 revival of Candide in which played six roles. He then won a Theatre World Award for his performance in Bubbling Brown Sugar which opened on March 2, 1976. He played Jim and a Male Nightclub Singer. Finally, he played the Snake in the show The Prince and the Aviator which previewed on December 26, 1981 and closed January 17, 1982. Off-Broadway, he starred in A Lady Needs A Change by the Manhattan Theatre Club and appeared in Inner City and Assumption Parish performed at Mickey’s, Onstage, London’s The Talk of the Town, and New York’s St. Regis Hotel. He also appeared in the Emmy-winning PBS Special “Blues and Gone,” assisted Billy Wilson on Eubie and Stop the World, guest-starred in the 1981 Milliken Industrial Show, and appeared in the special Gershwin: Made in America. His stock credits include Celebration, Faust, and Carousel. Garnett was partnered to Wilson for 18 years until he passed away at the age of 49 from HIV/AIDS.

 

Sources:

Chip Garnett (Performer), Playbill

5/8: HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHIP GARNETT… – Theatre World Awards, Facebook 

 

 

Anna Owens

Ethan Richmond