Huey "Piano" Smith (born 26 January 1934 in New Orleans) is an American rhythm and blues pianist whose sound was influential in rock 'n' roll. Huey's influence on New Orleans music in the mid 1950s was profound, and it was often said Huey Piano Smith?s band was like a finishing school for Nola singers and musicians. Career Smith wrote his first song on the piano "Roberson Street Boogie" (named after the street where he lived), when he was only eight years old, and performed the tune with a friend. They billed themselves as Slick and Dark. When Huey was fifteen he began working in clubs and recording records with his flamboyant partner, Eddie Jones who rose to fame as Guitar Slim. When he was eighteen, in 1952, he signed a recording contract with Savoy Records, which released his first known single "You Made Me Cry". In 1955, Smith turned 21, and became the piano player with Little Richard?s first band for Specialty Records.