William Hinsche – Death – William Hinsche, 70-year-old, an American musician who was part of the singing group Dino, Desi & Billy and a touring musician with The Beach Boys passed away on November 20, 2021, after battling with Giant cell carcinoma which he was diagnosed with a couple of weeks ago. He was popularly known from the 60’s pop group called “Dino, Desi, and Billy”. The group featured his friends, the sons of Dean Martin and Desi Arnaz (Lucille Ball). They were signed to Frank Sinatra’s Reprise label in the ’60s after a brilliant audition.
He was born in Manila, the Philippines, on June 29, 1951, where his father, Otto “Doc” Hinsche, owned a casino. The family moved to the United States and settled in Beverly Hills. Hinsche attended Loyola High School, where he met Desi Arnaz, Jr. and Dean Paul Martin. The three later formed the group Dino, Desi & Billy and signed with Frank Sinatra’s record label Reprise Records. In the late 1960s, He began to work as a session musician for The Beach Boys. Although he declined at least one offer to formally join the group in favor of continuing his education in August 1969, he toured extensively with the band as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist (often playing keyboards and rhythm guitar) from 1971 to 1977 and 1982 to 1996. His sister, Annie Hinsche-Wilson-Karges, was married to the group’s guitarist, Carl Wilson. He earned a B.F.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Theater, Film, and Television in 1974. He provided backing vocals on recordings for Elton John’s “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me,” and many more.
Bruce Kulick a Facebook user remembered Bill in a post as a dear friend who was popular since the 1960s, he described him as a talented, sweet, and wonderful man. “Billy Hinsche, a dear friend of Lisa and I, sadly passed away from cancer yesterday. He was known from the 60’s pop group called “Dino, Desi, and Billy”. The group featured his friends, the sons of Dean Martin and Desi Arnaz (Lucille Ball). They auditioned and were signed to Frank Sinatra’s Reprise label in the ’60s. He played and wrote songs with Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. He was not only a talented musician and songwriter, he was a sweet and wonderful man. Lisa and I were blessed to have spent quality time with him in Las Vegas. Photo with me and Billy with his gorgeous Epiphone Sheraton he played in the sixties at his home in Jan 2020. RIP Billy.”
Billy Hinsche’s obituary will be organized by the family.
Photo Credit (PC) goes to John Stamos