Spider Rich
James "Spider" Rich, born James Quantrell Rich on November 5, 1923, in Millport, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, was a notable country music songwriter and guitarist. He gained fame as the co-writer of the instrumental "Yakety Sax," which became widely recognized as the theme song for The Benny Hill Show. Rich collaborated with Boots Randolph on this quirky novelty piece, which was released in 1963 and became a signature work for Randolph.
In addition to his work on "Yakety Sax," Spider Rich's compositions were recorded by prominent artists such as Boots Randolph, Chet Atkins, and Mark Knopfler. He was also a member of The Grand Ole Opry house band during the 1950s and toured with various country artists, contributing significantly to the genre.
Rich served as a Private First Class in the U.S. Army during World War II. He passed away on November 9, 2003, in Winchester, Franklin County, Tennessee, at the age of 80. He was laid to rest in Brier Creek Cemetery in Bremen, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. His legacy lives on through his music, which continues to entertain audiences worldwide.
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