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ALEXIS KORNER |
Born 1928: Died 1984 |
 |
Recommended Listening:
In particular the recordings with Colin Hodgkinson on bass, its pure
genius.
"One Scotch One Bourbon One
Beer"
"High Heeled Sneakers"
"Stump Blues"
"Spoonfull" |
|
JOHNNY MEEKS |
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PERSONAL NOTE: Johnny Meeks was
The Blue Caps Guitarist after Cliff Gallop. Johnny wrote "Say
Mama", a R n' R classic if ever there was one.
Back in 1993 I played in Paris France with Gene
Vincent's Blue caps and Graham Fenton. Meeting the Blue caps was a
stirring moment for me and I got to spend some time chatting about their
root and the times with Gene. I got Johnny Meeks to sign my Fender
Twin amp with Silver paint, a first for him and a very memorable time
for me. |
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JANIS MARTIN |
|
 |
PERSONAL NOTE: I played guitar for Janis at a
British Rock n Roll Weekender back in the late 80's. The female
Elvis is a title she earned and deserves. Gill Goode ranks her as
rockabilly's queen. |
|
EDDIE FONTAINE |
Born 1927: Died 1992 |
 |
PERSONAL NOTE: I met Eddie back in 1985 when I
played with him and Janis Martin at a Rockin Weekender Festival in
Weymouth UK. Eddies most well known songs were "Nothin' Shakin
(but the leaves on the trees)" and "Cool It Baby". |
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SCREAMING LORD SUTCH |
Born 1940: Died 1999 |
  |
PERSONAL NOTE: The occasions that I played
with Lord Sutch were Zaney Wild and Rockin'. He was a true stage
performer and it was fun to try to anticipate what his next move may be.
Every Halloween, I bring out "Jack The Ripper" and "All Black and
Hairy". Screaming Lord Sutch was the Brit Mad Man of Rock n' Roll.
David Sutch Tragically took his own life in
1999. |
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T-BONE WALKER |
Born 1910: Died 1975 |
 |
Recommended Listening:
"T Bone Shuufle"
"Stormy Monday"
|
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EDDIE COCHRANE |
Born 1938: Died 1960 |
  |
Recommended Listening:
"Summertime Blues"
"Twenty Flight Rock"
"Nervous Breakdown"
"Teenage Cutie"
"Jeannie Jeannie Jeannie"
"C'mon Everybody"
"Strollin' Guitar"
"Three Steps To Heaven"
"Pretty Girl"
"Cut Across Shorty" |
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SLIM HARPO |
Born 1924: Died 1970 |
  |
Recommended Listening:
"Shake Your Hips"
"Don't Start Crying Now"
"King Bee:"
"Midnight Blues"
"Bobby Sox Baby" |
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BO DIDDLEY |
|
 |
PERSONAL NOTE: Bo Diddley is the father of
rock n roll rhythm and I have had the pleasure of meeting him twice.
On the last occasion he signed my Gretsch Silver jet which is now a
prized possession. Bo's "You can't Judge a Book" and "Who do you
love" have become staples for many bands. Classics such as "Mona",
"Bo Diddley" and "Bring it to Jerome" never fail to make your feet
shuffle. |
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PAUL BURLISON
of THE JOHNNY BURNETTE
TRIO |
|
 |
PERSONAL NOTE: Paul Burlison and The Johnny
Burnette Trio are the height of Rockabilly for me, its just so full of
energy and groove. Paul's unique playing style has always been an
inspiration for me and meeting him made me lost for words. Check
out "Honey Hush", "Lonesome Train", "Sweet Love On My Mind" and Rock
Therapy for some real Rockabilly treats. |
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THE JOHNNY BURNETTE
TRIO |
Born 1924: Died 1970 (Johnny Burnett) |
|
|
Recommended Listening:
"The Train Kept Rollin'"
"Sweet Love On My Mind"
"Rock Therapy"
"Baby Blue Eyes"
"All By Myself"
"Rockabilly Boogie"
|
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JOHN LEE HOOKER |
Born 1917: Died 2001 |
 |
Recommended Listening:
"Boom Boom"
"Boogie Chillum"
"In The Mood For Love"
|
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WILLIE MAE "BIG MAMA" THORNTON |
Born 1926: Died 1984 |
 |
Recommended Listening:
Favorites-
"I Smell A Rat"
"Hound Dog" |
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CHUCK BERRY |
|
  |
Recommended Listening:
All Of THe Chess
Recordings with Johnny Johnson Are Treats:
Favorites-
"Johnny B Goode"
"Too Much Monkey Business"
"Beautiful Delilah"
"You Can't Catch Me'
"Nadine"
"Reelin' n' Rockin"
|
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DEL SHANNON |
Born 1934: Died 1990 |
  |
PERSONAL NOTE: I recently wrote a song about
Del called "Anguish" which I hope to record soon. Del was one of
the first guys from the 50's Rock n' Roll era that I ever got the chance
to see. "Hats off to Larry" ranks high with me even though its the
more commercial end of the music. Such songs as "Runaway" and
"Little Town Flirt" somehow set Del aside and it haunts me to think that
he took his own life. I first met Del in 1985 and his lost is felt
by Rock N' Roll fans the world over. |
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WILLIE DIXON |
Born 1915: Died 1992 |
  |
Recommended Listening:
Just about every Chess Recording there is:
Favorites-
"29 Ways"
"Spoonful"
|
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ELVIS PRESLEY |
Born 1938: Died 1977 |
 |
Recommended Listening:
All Of The Elvis Sun Recordings:
Favorites-
"I don't Care If The Sun
Don't Shine"
"Blue Moon Of Kentucky"
"Mystery train"
"Baby Lets Play House"
"Just Because"
"Good Rockin' Tonight"
|
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BILL HALEY |
Born 1925: Died 1981 |
 |
Recommended Listening:
The Original Comets Recordings:
Favorites-
"Is It True What They Say
About Dixie"
Sweet Sue - Just You"
"Rock a Beatin Boodie"
"R.O.C.K:
"Rock This Joint".
|
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HANK MARVIN |
|
  |
Recommended Listening:
The Entire Shadows Recordings:
Favorites-
"Apache",
"FBI",
"Man Of Mystery",
"Kontiki",
"Wonderful Land"
Cliff and The Shadows:
"Move it", -
Apron Strings" - "We Say Yeah" - "Dynamite"
|
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SCOTTY MOORE |
|
  |
Recommended Listening:
All Of The Elvis Sun Recordings:
Favorites-
"I don't Care If The Sun
Don't Shine"
"Blue Moon Of Kentucky"
"Mystery train"
"Baby Lets Play House"
|
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MUDDY WATERS |
Born 1915: Died 1983 |
 |
Recommended Listening:
Wow where to start?:
"Just can't be satisfied"
"Rollin' n' Tumblin"
"Rock Me"
"Got My Mojo Working" |
|
GENE VINCENT |
Born 1935: Died 1971 |
 |
Recommended Listening:
The Blue Caps were so great:
Favorites-
"Cruisin'"
"Red Blue Jeans"
"Baby Blue"
"Pink Thunderbird"
"Double Talkin' Baby"
"Jump Giggles Shouts"
"Important Words"
|
|
DION DIMUCCI |
|
 |
Recommended Listening: "The Entire Album - Dion and the Belmonts
Reunion - Recorded in 1972 at Madison Square Gardens" - its Doo-wop in
perfection and Dion at his best SO COOL!. |
|
LES PAUL |
|
 |
Recommended Listening:
All of the Les Paul and Mary
Ford Recordings.
Check out Les Paul and The
Nat King Cole Trio its Magic. |
|
CHET ATKINS |
Born 1924: Died 2001 |
 |
Recommended Listening: It's all great - Go for it - its essential
guitar listening. |
|
LONNIE DONEGAN |
Born 1931: Died 2002 |
 |
Known as
the king of "skiffle"* music in the 1950s, his popularity was a great
influence on later musical acts like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones,
etc., song hits include "Rock Island Line" and "Does Your Chewing Gum
Lose Its Flavor (On the Bedpost Overnight)?"
Recommended Listening:
"Puttin' On The Style" -
"Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It's Flavor" - "Lost John"
"Have A Drink On Me"
- "Cumberland Gap" - "Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O" |
