They garnered international acclaim for their recordings on Volume Three of the Alligator Records label’s groundbreaking Living Chicago Blues series. Bell left in the early 80s and so Branch assumed leadership. The band’s 1983 album for the Red Beans label, released under the Billy Branch & The Sons Of Blues moniker, included solid Chicago blues and some contemporary R&B. The line-up of Branch, guitarist Carlos Johnson, bass player J.W. Williams and drummer Moses Rutues was augmented by several guests, including Jimmy Walker. In recognition of Williams’ own former band, the group is now known as the Sons Of Blues/Chi-Town Hustlers, under which name they recorded in 1987.