William M. "Wild Bill" Moore, born on June 13, 1918 in Detroit, Michigan, was an American R&B and jazz tenor saxophone player. Initially an amateur boxer, Moore turned to music in the early 1940s, inspired by musicians like Chu Berry and Illinois Jacquet. He made his recording debut in 1944, accompanying Christine Chatman for Decca Records. Between 1945 and 1947, Moore performed with notable artists such as Slim Gaillard, Jack McVea, Big Joe Turner, and Dexter Gordon. In 1947, he released "We're Gonna Rock, We're Gonna Roll" for the Savoy label, a modest hit and one of the earliest rock and roll records. He continued recording and playing in clubs around Detroit, releasing several jazz albums for the Jazzland label. In 1971, he collaborated with Marvin Gaye on the album What's Going On, notably playing the saxophone on "Mercy Mercy Me". Moore died on August 1, 1983.
