Paramore Helps Hayley Williams' Grandpa Rusty Release His Lost Debut Album from the 1970s

Mar. 15, 2025

Hayley Williams; Rusty Williams.Photo:Zachary Gray; Congrats Records

Zachary Gray; Congrats Records

Watch outRob Grant— there’s a new nepo (grand)daddy in town.

On Tuesday, Jan. 14,Hayley Williamsand Zac Farro ofParamoreannounced they’re releasing her grandpa Rusty Williams' lost album from the 1970s.

The album, titledGrand Man, will feature 13 songs recorded in the 1970s that have never been formally released until now.

Rusty also shared the album’s first single,“Knocking (At Your Door),“a swirl of lush, pop tones that takes cues fromHerb AlpertandBurt Bacharach.

“So many people our age are mining these albums for tones and things you can’t even replicate,” the “Simmer” musician, 36, said of her grandfather’s music in a statement. “And Grandat has a way of cutting to the core of a feeling, and not overcomplicating it. Which we tend to do, because the world is hard. It’s nice when you can hear something plain and simple and know that it is true.”

Farro, 34, added that he thought “it was a crime” that Rusty’s music was sitting on a shelf.

Rusty was previously featured on the song “Crystal Clear,” featured on Hayley’s 2020 solo albumPetals for Armor.

According to a press release, Rusty began penning music as a child, joined a band and wrote music for local businesses.

Until recently, Hayley and her bandmates didn’t know if Rusty’s album actually existed. However, per the release, Rusty’s old production partner rediscovered it.

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Hayley Williams in September 2024; Zac Farro in April 2018.Nina Westervelt/WWD via Getty; Robin Marchant/Getty

Nina Westervelt/WWD via Getty; Robin Marchant/Getty

Back in June 2023,Lana Del Reyhelped her father release his debut albumLost at Seaat the age of 69.

“To be honest, I kind of kept my expectations grounded because I’m so new to the whole music industry thing,” Grant, now 70, told PEOPLE at the time. “Obviously, I’ve been with my daughter and seeing her evolution. But now, for me to enter the fray, it’s a very unique experience.”

He added, “I feel I’m very fortunate. I’m a lucky guy, at 69, to have suddenly been given a chance to bloom musically.”

Grand Manwill be released on Feb. 14 via Farro’s Congrats Records.

source: people.com