Rockabilly
33
Rockabilly R&B Performed by Those with Roots in C&W Most Associated with Sun Records Instrumentation From the String Band Tradition Rather Than the Jump Blues, i.e., no sax solos
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Transcript of Rockabilly
Rockabilly
R&B Performed by Those with Roots in C&W
Most Associated with Sun Records
Instrumentation From the String Band Tradition Rather Than the Jump Blues, i.e., no sax solos
Rockabilly
Instrumentation: Guitar, Bass, Drums (Later)Bass Players used “Slap Bass” Technique derived from drummer-less bands.
Rockabilly HiccupExuberant Performance Style“Cat” Clothing Style
Bill Haley 1st Rockabilly Star 1940s Country Musician
Bill Haley
Bill Haley
Bill Haley and the Saddlemen began Covering R&B
1951 Covered “Rocket 88”
1952 Covered “Rock the Joint” (DJs played the wrong side)
Bill Haley in Wildwood
Entertained at Summer Resort, Discovered the Audience Liked R&B
Bill Haley
Bill Haley
1953 Changed Name to The CometsDecca Records Used Same Producer as Louis Jordan1954 Recorded “Rock Around the Clock” But Not A Hit Until Blackboard Jungle 1955
Bill Haley
Bill Haley
1954 Covered “Shake, Rattle, & Roll” Rock’s 1st Million Seller
Removed Sexual References
Shake Rattle & Roll ComparisonHaley - Pots & PansTurner - pots & pans; dressesHaley - dressesTurner - Devil in nylonTurner - one-eyed catHaley - one eyed catTurner - Over the Hill
Haley’s Covers
Some Would Argue that Haley’s Versions Are Rock and the Originals Are R&B
“Choo Choo Ch-Boogie” 1957
Louis Jordan “Choo Choo . .” 1946
“See You Later Alligator” Haley Cover
“See You Later Alligator” Bobby Charles
Bill Haley
Toured Europe & England
Exuberant Crowds Rioted
Styles Had Changed When He Returned
An Important Transitional Artist
Sun Records Rockabillies
Sam Phillips Founder of Sun Records
1950 Began Memphis Recording Service, Recorded Blues Artists,Sold Masters to Chess & Modern
Recorded “Rockett 88” 1951
Sun Records Began 1952
Sun & Elvis
Phillips Knew the Time Was Right for White R&B
Elvis Walked in Summer 1953
Next Time, He Met Elvis and Suggested He Work With Two Musicians Who Happened to be There.
Elvis Scotty & Bill
Would Elvis’ Records Sounded Different if Other Musicians Were Hanging Around the Studio?
Elvis
Scotty Moore, Bill Black Worked With Elvis and “Stumbled Into” the Style
July 19, 1954 Recorded
“That’s Alright Mama” &
“Blue Moon of Kentucky”
Early Elvis
The Phases of Elvis: 1st
Early Elvis, Records at Sun
Many Early Unreleased Recordings He Sounded Like A Crooner
Stumbled into Shouter Style (p.96-7)
Signed Management Contract With Col. Tom Parker, Signed to RCA
Col. Tom Parker
Phase Two: Recording Star
1956 Recorded Hits for RCA
Several TV Shows
Col. Signed with Two Movie Studios
1958-60 Elvis Interruptus (U.S. Army)
Heartbreak Hotel I Want You Don’t Be Cruel
Hound Dog Love Me Tender
Jail House Rock
Lame Elvis
Phase Three: Movie Star Elvis
After Army He Made Movies, Only One TV Performance, No Live Performing
31 Movies
Recorded Movie Soundtracks with Songs Like:
Rock Hula Baby Bossa Nova Baby
Viva Las Vegas
Phase Four: Las Vegas Elvis
Movie Career Over
Return to Live Performance 1969-75
1968 Elvis Presley NBC Special
Tours ave. 110 Performances per Year
Other Sun Rockabilies
Carl Perkins Songwriter/Singer/Guitarist
“Blue Suede Shoes”
Respected by the Beatles
“Match Box”
Blind Lemon
Beatles
Other Sun Rockabillies
Jerry Lee Lewis
Pianist
Glissandos
“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” 1957
Placed on All 3 Charts
Other Sun Rockabillies
Jerry Lee cont.
“Great Balls of Fire” 1958
Married 13 yr. Old 2nd Cousin
May 1958 English Tour Ended 1st Career
Other Sun Rockabillies
Roy Orbison Singer/Songwriter
“Ooby Dooby”
Switched Labels, Hits 1960-64 “Pretty Woman”
Johnny Cash, Warren Smith etc.
Non-Sun Rockabillies
Everly Brothers (Don, Phil)
Parents Were Radio Performers
Sang in “Country Brothers” Harmony
Solo Sound Like Hank Williams
“Bye Bye Love”
“Wake Up Little Susie”
Everly Brothers
Non-Sun Rockabillies
Buddy Holly
Rock and Roll “Common Man”?
Started as C&W
Elvis Inspired Him
Non Sun Rockabillies
“That’ll Be The Day”
• Rockabilly Hiccup
“Peggy Sue”
Died in Plane Crash “Winter Dance Party Tour”
Posthumous Release “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore”
Non Sun Rockabillies
Eddie Cochran
• “Summertime Blues”
Gene Vincent
• “Be-Bop-A-Lula”
Accident in England Killed Cochran, Injured Vincent.
