Rockabilly Workshop (Part V) Rock Around the Clock!

northstarvintage · Feb 20, 2005

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Origins


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<div align="center">Rockabilly
was inevitable. The world of western swing and country music, and the
world of rhythym and blues were progressing side by side, brewing like
a storm over the earth, until a lightening bolt cracked down from one
to the other. 
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<img src="http://www.northstarvintage.com/ebay/saddlemen.jpg" width="241" height="247"> 
The Saddlemen (featuring Bill Haley)
 

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<div align="center"><img src="http://www.northstarvintage.com/ebay/sunjackie.jpg" width="167" height="198"> 
Jackie Brenston</div>
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That
lightening bolt, according to Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Studios, was
Jackie Brenston's Rocket 88, released in 1951 on <a href="http://www.history-of-rock.com/chess_records.htm" target="_blank">Chess
Records</a>. It had a strong rhytyhm and a raucous guitar (which was a
mistake according to guitarist Willie Kizart - the amp fell off the car
and broke the speaker cone). It was dark, it was sexy, and the kids loved
it.
Teenagers
heard that blues beat and combined it with the country and western swing
sound of the country/swing musicians, like Fred Maddox's slapping bass
style which drove the Sound of the <a href="http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/listenwatch/0,,461892,00.html#artist_name" target="_blank">Maddox
Brothers</a>.
 
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<div align="center">Rockabilly
is the rhythm. Generally nothing more than an 8-to-the-bar boogie with
a heavy "back beat." This is created usually by a snare drum
, on the 2nd and 4th beats (or the 4th and 8th beats of the boogie rhythm).
Hard to explain, but you know if it you hear it - it's like a train. On
top of that add wild vocals about girls and cars, a guitar and slap bass,
all played by kids who grew up listening to country music. That's about
as good a description as I can come up with. 
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<div align="center"><img src="http://www.northstarvintage.com/ebay/EPLouisHaybwBIG.jpg" width="322" height="256"> 
Elvis Presley - 1954 
 
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<img src="http://www.northstarvintage.com/ebay/skok.jpg" width="218" height="320"> 
Jerry Lee Lewis 
 

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<div align="center"> 
<a href="http://www.sunrecords.com/" target="_blank">Sun Records</a> was
the architect of rockabilly. Sam Phillips had started out by recording
blues artists. But when he realized that white artists performing blues
influenced rockabilly songs would sell better, he concentrated on that.
His roster included <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000003492/qid=1108864200/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-7169657-4527126?v=glance&s=music&n=507846" target="_blank">Carl
Perkins</a> (Blue Suede Shoes), <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000032D0/ref=pd_sim_music_3/104-7169657-4527126?v=glance&s=music&n=507846" target="_blank">Jerry
Lee Lewis</a> (Great Balls of Fire), <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001QGRU/qid=1108864276/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-7169657-4527126" target="_blank">Johnny
Cash</a>, and most famously - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00025L41W/qid=1108864308/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-7169657-4527126" target="_blank">Elvis
Presley</a></div>
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<div align="center">It
was Presley's success which allowed Phillips to spend money and concentrate
on the lesser known artists, like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001AW9/qid=1108864347/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-7169657-4527126" target="_blank">Johnny
Burnette,</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000036A7/qid=1108864380/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/104-7169657-4527126?v=glance&s=music" target="_blank">Barbara
Pittman </a>and<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000369O/qid=1108864418/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-7169657-4527126" target="_blank">
Carl Mann</a>. It was in recording these artists in his Memphis Studio,
that Philips created the sound that defined the sound of early rock and
roll, with wild vocal performances, and a big sound that was simultaneously
clean and sparse.</div>
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<img src="http://www.northstarvintage.com/ebay/vincent.jpg" width="200" height="252"> 
Johnny Burnette
 
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Gene Vincent - 1956
 
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Through
extensive touring as well as radio and television appearances, Elvis and
others spread rockabilly throughout the country. Little indepdendent studios
all over the country started picking up local bands with that sound and
recording all this stuff. Starday Studios in Texas, <a href="http://www.bear-family.de/tabel1/neuheit/spring2004/bcd16440_e.htm" target="_blank">Event
Records</a>, and Mar-Vel in Indiana recreated the sound and the energy.
The records sold well, and rockabilly hit the big time. Even the straight
country artists did rockabilly records - for example a very reluctant
George Jones performing as "Thumper Jones." (sorry, can't find
the song online!)
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And as larger labels began promoting rockabilly, it inevitably became
a watered down commodity - lacking the energy of the initial collision
between rhythm and blues and country western swing.</div>
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But
rockabilly music is a process, an organic genre that was founded on the
intersection of two sounds. Its revival in the 70's created a whole new
group of listeners and performers, with an entirely new spectrum of musical
influences....
Next....The
Revival and Now
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Patentleathershoes · Feb 20, 2005

I second that emotion

Chess records is a legend in the blues mythology. I never really associated it with Rockabilly.

My question is - did they CALL it rockabilly back then or just rock n roll, or is that the name it was given in retrospect.

northstarvintage · Feb 20, 2005

Woo hoo! Thanks!

According to "Good Rockin' Tonight" by Colin Escott and Martin Hawkins, in the early 50's Southern DJ's spoke of "'rocking' a hillbilly band." By 1955 the term was being used to describe the music, and in 1956 it appeared in two music magazines - "Cashbox" and "Billboard" where it was used in Ruckus Tyler's "Rock Town Rock,:

It was used in the songs of the time i.e. "Rockabilly Boogie" by Johnny Burnette. But according to the late Ronnie Dawson, it was not common. Those involved with the music, like Sam Phillips, prefered the newly coined term "rock and roll."

In looking at records from now and then, it does seem that rockabilly is much more common in current records - probably to keep the music from being lumped into the dreaded "oldies" category!

Susan

northstarvintage · Feb 20, 2005

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<div align="center">Europeans
were always fascinated by America, and romanticed the aspects of American
culture that were not found in their own. The Wild West, cowboys, jazz,
all were iconized. </div>
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<div align="center"><img src="http://www.northstarvintage.com/ebay/ted.jpg" width="196" height="390"> 
Teddy Boy 
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<div align="center">And
in the late 70's, as a result of the re-emegencyeof the Teds, it was rockabilly.
Teddy Boy were a subculture that rose out of the working class suburbs
of London during the 50's. They mimicked the look of the upper class by
wearing exaggerated versions of pompadours, Edwardian coats, very straight
trousers (drain pipe), and thick soled creepers. Rebellious 50's rockabilly
was the perfect soundtrack for the revival of this retro lifestyle.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001MZ7SW/qid=1108912808/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-8636582-0392831?v=glance&s=music&n=507846" target="_blank">Billy
Haley & The Comets</a> had continued to be successful in Europe through
the 60's. An ardent fan, Richard Weize, was compelled start his own record
label, to help draw attention to original rockabillly artists. <a href="http://www.bear-family.de/indexframes/index_english.htm" target="_blank">Bear
Family Records </a>was started in Germany 1975 and has become "the
world leader in record reissues." The re-releasing of the records
of earlier, lesser known rockabilly artists, helped fuel the revival of
such artists as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000187V/qid=1108912855/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-8636582-0392831?v=glance&s=music" target="_blank">Ronnie
Dawson</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000HX5K/qid=1108912886/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/002-8636582-0392831" target="_parent">Billy
Lee Riley</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002WZE/qid=1108912916/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/002-8636582-0392831" target="_blank">Hank
Snow</a>.
 
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<div align="center"><img src="http://www.northstarvintage.com/ebay/bill-haley-and-the-comets.jpg" width="320" height="281"> 
Bill Haley & The Comets - 60's 
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<div align="center"><img src="http://www.northstarvintage.com/ebay/dexter.jpg" width="200" height="308"> 
Levi Dexter</div>
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A new generation of rockabilly artists evolved, including <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0006SSRLK/qid=1108912948/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/002-8636582-0392831?v=glance&s=music" target="_blank">Levi
Dexter</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005KHFF/qid=1108912975/sr=2-3/ref=pd_ka_b_2_3/002-8636582-0392831" target="_blank">Robert
Gordon</a>, Billy Zoom (later of the punk band X), and most notoriously,
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000042OHB/qid=1108913044/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/002-8636582-0392831" target="_blank">The
Stray Cats</a>, who although American, hit it big first in the UK, and
then brought the sound back to the U.S. where they had several top ten
hits.
 
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Rockabilly was originally the combination of blues and country and western,
and musicians continued to combine influences. Through the 80's the sound
was often merged with punk, another emerging subculture, by such bands
as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001I0E/qid=1108913065/sr=2-2/ref=pd_ka_b_2_2/002-8636582-0392831" target="_blank">The
Cramps</a> (who covered obscure older rockabilly songs), and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000DIJOH/qid=1108913084/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-8636582-0392831?v=glance&s=music" target="_blank">The
Meteors. </a></div>
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<img src="http://www.northstarvintage.com/ebay/cramps.gif" width="321" height="231"> 
The Cramps
 

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Reverend Horton Heat 
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Despite
a small blast of popularity in the early 80's, due to the Stray Cats'
success, rockabilly remained largely an underground phenomenon. Then in
the early 90's Nirvana exploded, ripping the lid off the underground and
exposing all sorts of musical subcultures to the masses. Rockabilly influenced
bands like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000035ES/qid=1108913112/sr=2-2/ref=pd_ka_b_2_2/002-8636582-0392831" target="_blank">Reverend
Horton Heat </a>(psychobilly), J<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000008GZY/qid=1108913133/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/002-8636582-0392831?v=glance&s=music" target="_blank">ason
and the Scorchers</a> (western rock), and<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000005EMY/qid=1108913162/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/002-8636582-0392831?v=glance&s=music" target="_blank">
Social Distortion</a> (rockabilly influenced punk) were discovered and
their audience grew.
In
the mid to late 90's the Swing Dance revival,which included band bands
like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000004ATE/qid=1108913211/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/002-8636582-0392831" target="_blank">Squirrel
Nut Zippers</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000007SAV/qid=1108913233/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-8636582-0392831?v=glance&s=music" target="_blank">The
Brian Setzer Orchestra</a> (formerly of The Stray Cats) introduced the
retro sound to an even more widespead audience.
 
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One
mainstay of the rockabilly revival has been the "weekender."
Usually held at a hotel or resort, these feature rockabilly acts every
night - often including older original acts, established current acts,
and some up and coming bands. It's a full on immersion - car shows are
held, vintage/repro clothing and record vendors set up booths, even <a href="http://www.robschopshop.com/index2b.html" target="_blank">old
school barbers </a>put up a chair, all helping the attendees maintain
their vintage lifstyle.
In
the UK the <a href="http://www.robschopshop.com/index2b.html">Hemsby Weekender
</a> is the granddaddy (I was lucky enough to go to one in the 90's -
I am still hungover!), and in the states, it is <a href="http://www.vivalasvegas.net/" target="_blank">Viva
Las Vegas</a>. Other events include the Indy Weekender in Inndianapolis,
and the massive <a href="http://www.oneidabingoandcasino.net/PrintPage?item_id=456&calendar=1" target="_blank">Rocking
50's Fest</a> to be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, which looks to have
booked every rockabilly band EVER.
Ironically
it's the technology of the internet which has allowed the rockabilly culture
to flourish, with chat room and websites creating a vast network.
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<div align="center"><img src="http://www.northstarvintage.com/ebay/chopshoprob.gif" width="300" height="210"> 
Chop Shop Rob at Hemsby - 2000 
<a href="http://www.matthewrobbinsphoto.com/" target="_blank">Photo
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<img src="http://www.northstarvintage.com/ebay/BigSandy-pub1.gif" width="300" height="203"> 
Big Sandy & The Flyrites
 

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Rockabilly bands of today reflect the numerous influences upon the music
through the decades. Western Swing - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001XAS30/qid=1108913564/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/002-8636582-0392831" target="_blank">Big
Sandy & The Flyrites</a>; Blues - ; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000009ZJ/qid=1108913603/sr=2-3/ref=pd_ka_b_2_3/002-8636582-0392831" target="_blank">The
Paladins</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002ABT3U/qid=1108913629/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/002-8636582-0392831" target="_blank">Nick
Curran</a>; 50's Rockabilly - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000000FEV/qid=1108913650/sr=2-2/ref=pd_ka_b_2_2/002-8636582-0392831" target="_blank">High
Noon </a>and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00002518Y/qid=1108913670/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/002-8636582-0392831?v=glance&s=music" target="_blank">The
Barnshakers</a>; Punk (Psychobilly) - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000B3JW/qid=1108913725/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/002-8636582-0392831" target="_blank">Hillybilly
Hellcats</a>.</div>
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There
is so much cool rockabilly out there - both old and new. I have only scratched
the surface! For your listening pleasure here are a few of my favorites
that haven't been mentioned above. Many of these link to other bands and
I can't encourage you enough to surf around and listen, or go out to a
bar and see it. It's highly addictive stuff.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004UDEG/qid=1108913748/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-8636582-0392831?v=glance&s=music" target="_blank">King
Memphis</a> 
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001AX2/qid=1108913769/sr=2-2/ref=pd_ka_b_2_2/002-8636582-0392831" target="_blank">Joe
Clay</a> 
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002U27/qid=1108913790/sr=2-2/ref=pd_ka_b_2_2/002-8636582-0392831" target="_blank">Wanda
Jackson</a> 
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000DCW7/qid=1108913809/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/002-8636582-0392831">Deke
Dickerson</a> 
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000009DO/qid=1108913833/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/002-8636582-0392831" target="_blank">Ray
Condo & The Riccochets</a> 

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<div align="center"><img src="http://www.northstarvintage.com/ebay/rock-on.jpg" width="300" height="201"> 
Rock on! 
<a href="http://www.matthewrobbinsphoto.com/" target="_blank">Photo
by Matthew Robbins</a> 
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PodVintage · Feb 20, 2005

WOOO WHOOO!!!

northstarvintage · Feb 20, 2005

Sorry about the crazy HTML! It worked much better in Dreamweaver!

Patentleathershoes · Feb 20, 2005

Now that you mention the Squirrel Nut Zippers and Brian Setzer's swing sound, I wonder about the crossover in modern times between the nouveau swing style and rockabilly. A lot of times there is a crossover, that people like both. But there are folks who dare not let them selves be confused with the other. I have observed that the swing crowd goes a bit older when drawing on their fashion - the fedoras, the granny shoes, the 30s/40s dresses versus 40s/50s. I saw a concert that was on satellite where everyone was in zoot suits versus the retro cowboy, circle skirts, and the pinup kitten looks that one might expect. It looked like a Guys and Dolls convention just let out.

probably to keep the music from being lumped into the dreaded "oldies" category!

Perish the thought!

www.VintageGrace.com · Feb 20, 2005

Fabulous job Susan!!!!

~~ AND, for those that don't know~~ Matthew Robbins is Susan's very talented photographer husband!! His photography is AMAZING!!

Can you post the link to his website so that we can see more of them????

I have to laugh everytime I hear the name of Hank Snow. Many, many years ago - back in the stone age of the 1970s - I was watching one of the music award shows. Hank Snow won an award (don't ask me which one) and during his acceptance speach he was going along, thanking all those one normally thanks. When he got to the end he said, "...and I'd like to thank my wife, Mrs. Hank Snow." I just about fell out of my chair with laughter and it's still a running joke in my family to this day. God bless is old fashioned heart, Mrs. Hank Snow didn't have her own name!! :duh: Now when ever we can't remember someone's name we say, 'Oh you know, Mrs. Hank Snow.'

Thanks for such a wonderful presentation Mrs. Matthew Robbins!!

:cool2: ~Maureen

dibs2002 · Feb 20, 2005

Oh wow - I never knew there was ANY connection between punk and rockabilly! And I never knew what the Teds were - very informative Susan - thanks! Well you know, come to think of it - the Sex Pistols did "Rock Around the Clock" and Sinatra's "My Way" on their Friggin' in the Riggins album (I have it on vinyl, oh, and 8-track ). But I never got the connection. On the surface, punk and rockabilly would seem to be mutually exclusive!

Deb

vintagecurves · Feb 20, 2005

Great job!
Didn't Barbara Pittman and Elvis date at one point? I think I might have read that in "Last Train to Memphis".

I Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys

gaildavid · Feb 20, 2005

:bouncy: :bouncy:

Thank you Susan!!! Wonderful information!!!

Gail

materialmemories · Feb 20, 2005

Susan,
WOW!!!
VERY WELL DONE!!!

I didn't know about the Teds either...this has been SO INFORMATIVE and SO MUCH FUN!!!

I guess I have ALOT of NEW MUSIC to PURCHASE and LISTEN TO.
MUSIC is SO DIVERSE yet it ALL SEEMS to STEM from the SAME NEED to EXPRESS ONESELF.
How INTERESTING that EXPRESSING ONESELF through CLOTHING follows RIGHT BEHIND!!

And YES, PLEASE DO put a LINK to YOUR TALENTED HUBBY'S PHOTOS...WE would LOVE to SEE MORE!!

route66gal · Feb 20, 2005

EXCELLENT job, Susan!!!! And I do love oyur hubby's photos - great stuff! Truly one of my favorite topics on the planet.

Deb, if it weren't for X, I would have never gotten into rockabilly. X was my link between punk and rockabilly. Billy Zoom is one of the unsung rock gods of all time, IMO. X had a wonderful side project along with Dave Alvin of the Blasters and Jonny Ray Bartel, the Knitters. They did just one album, Poor Little Critter on the Road (check out the online clips here!) in the mid-80s - but they're coming out with a new one this year! I'm beside myself with excitement. Their first record literally changed my life. I probably wouldn't be living the life I'm living now if I hadn't picked that record up in the late 80s.

Just a side note on The Blasters - their first album came out the same week that the first Stray Cats album came out. They're another band that totally changed my life. Not as good-looking as the Stray Cats, but just as influencial here in the states. They were deeply embedded in the LA punk scene at the same time that X was - and often played double bills with punk bands.

Actually, there was a great time when punk bands shared the stage regularly with rockabilly and country acts. Don Walser a local yodeling legend used to open for the Butthole Surfers and Ministry here in Austin regularly.

Again, it's just more of the wonderful mix of influences amongst the music, clothes, people, etc.

I've heard that the Green Bay festival is the ultimate for the music - focusing more on the music and less on "what am I going to wear during my five daily changes today" that weekenders like VLV tend to include. Don't get me wrong - I *love* that about VLV! But I've heard from so many people that at Green Bay, you don't stop to fix your hair or makeup - it's all about the music, because you're afraid to miss anything, which is pretty doggone cool, I think!

Again, Susan, wonderful job!

-Melanie

fuzzylizzie · Feb 20, 2005

To all the Rockabilly workshop presenters:

THANKS! I'm really enjoying this, and I'm learning a lot too.

Great stuff!
Lizzie

hipvintage · Feb 20, 2005

! When did Ronnie Dawson die??? I saw him play about 4 years ago - I THINK.

Great presentation! I know a lot of band people and many have Rockabilly, etc, bands. I've seen or heard of a lot that you mention. Nice to see the Cramps mentioned, too. Just saw them a few months ago!

I thought the Teddy Boy thing was an early 60's thing, sort of pre-Mods.

Speaking of Austin, the SXSW festival draws a LOT of Rockabilly culture, including car shows and stunning fashions, in addition to the bands. I saw Don Walser play a restaurant there about 10 years ago!

Great work!

Janine

vintagecurves · Feb 20, 2005

I believe Ronnie died just this last year of cancer :(

www.VintageGrace.com · Feb 20, 2005

Originally posted by dibs2002
Oh wow - I never knew there was ANY connection between punk and rockabilly! And I never knew what the Teds were - very informative Susan - thanks! Well you know, come to think of it - the Sex Pistols did "Rock Around the Clock" and Sinatra's "My Way" on their Friggin' in the Riggins album (I have it on vinyl, oh, and 8-track ). But I never got the connection. On the surface, punk and rockabilly would seem to be mutually exclusive!

Deb
Click to expand...

Deb, I personally invite you to attend Adrianne Psychobilly Cadillac on Tuesday!! You are about to discover just how connect they are!! It's the workshop I have been dying to see!!

~Maureen

cosmiccowgirl · Feb 20, 2005

Yup, Ronnie Dawson just recently died. He was amazing! Poor Don Walser is also very ill right now. :( He's a really sweet man.

Mel, listening to Joe Doe sing Silver Wings is just my idea of heaven!

And I looooooooove the Cramps! Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrre kitty kitty!

route66gal · Feb 21, 2005

Ronnie did a show a few months before his death - I was sick and unable to make it, but I guess it was unbearably emotional because everyone knew it was going to be his last show. I think that show was in March or April of 2003, and he died in September, I believe. Apparently everyone, including the band broke down sobbing. I've never seen anything like the way Ronnie and (drummer) Lisa Pankratz played off of each other. Truly stunning to see.

Speaking of Lisa Pankratz, she has the best quote ever on the Austin music scene - "There's just one band in Austin, and everyone's in it."

Leigh, I agree 100% with John Doe singing Silver Wings. One of my favorite covers of all time. I seriously *heart* John Doe.

-Melanie

dibs2002 · Feb 21, 2005

Sorry - the Sex Pistols album was "The Great Rock 'n Roll Swindle" (the memory is starting to go!). Mel I will have to check out X.

This has been so informative that I WANT TO GO TO VLV WEEKEND! I checked into flights last night. If John wasn't in school right now I tell ya... I'd have to git me some circle skirts and fly to Vegas. I've never been to Vegas.

Maybe next year!

Deb

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