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fast, up-to-the-minute, completely fake
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Ernest P. Worrell's
Rock-A-Billygoat
on the station that's #1 for music and fun - S-P-M-M!
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"Rock The Bop" - Brenda Lee
(Dec. 1957, uncharted B side of "Rock-A-Bye Baby Blues")
From Christmas 1957 and the early weeks of 1958, that was
Little Miss Dynamite, Brenda Lee, rockin' the bop and kickin' off
another heartland hoedown hootnanny here on S-P-M-M.
Little Miss Dynamite, Brenda Lee, rockin' the bop and kickin' off
another heartland hoedown hootnanny here on S-P-M-M.
Howdy, Vern! This here's your old buddy
Ernest P. Worrell back with my second
set of sizzlers to Rock-A-Billygoat. On
my show you hear the greatest sounds
of early rock 'n' roll, rock 'n roll revival,
rockabilly and all that good stuff. I just
popped open an ice cold Meller Yeller
and I'm ready to spin stacks of wax, so
let's boogie, know what I mean, Vern?
Taint none of my beeswax, Vern, but
you look a little green around the gills
this morning. Fess up, Vern. What
happened? What'd ya do? Out all
night and runnin' wild, your
woman sittin' home with
a month old child?
Hey, got somethin' for you, Vern.
This cool cat is from Devonshire,
England, but to hear him sing
you'd swear he was born and
raised in Tupelo. He's an Elvis
the Pelvis impersonator by
the name of Johnny Earl.
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
This fella bills himself as "the closest sounding Elvis sound alike on the planet."
Listen and you'll understand why. Heeeeeeeere's Johnny... along with Elvis's
famous backing singers, The Jordanaires, doing one of Presley's most
pleasing platters-- "Fame And Fortune!"
"Fame And Fortune" - Johnny Earle And The Jordanaires
(from 1997 album With Elvis In Mind and Dec. 2010 CD
Shades of Elvis: Memphis Music)
Is it Elvis... or is it Memorex? Taint neither. Don't let your ears fool ya, Vern.
That was Brit boy Johnny Earle with The Jordanaires doing his best Presley
on "Fame And Fortune," a song from his 1997 album With Elvis In Mind.
This boy, Bobby Vee, hails from Fargo.
Bobby's career was born The Day the
Music Died. When Bobby's idol Buddy
Holly was killed in a plane crash on the
way to a gig in Minnesota, Bobby and
his band filled in at the show and the
crowd loved them. Bobby went on to
become a pop idol, but his rockabilly
roots were showing in 1962 the day
he went into the studio with Buddy's
band The Crickets and cut an album.
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
Here they are, Vern, Bobby Vee along with The Crickets
covering one of Buddy Holly's best known hits-- "Peggy Sue"
"Peggy Sue" - Bobby Vee And The Crickets
(from July 1962 album Bobby Vee Meets The Crickets)
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Ernest P. Worrell
(ECHO CHAMBER)
DOUBLE PLAY-ay-ay-ay!
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That's right, Vern, you can't play The Crickets with a sticky wicket,
and that why I sprayed Teflon on my turntable. Bobby's back
with Buddy's band, and this is-- "Someday!"
and that why I sprayed Teflon on my turntable. Bobby's back
with Buddy's band, and this is-- "Someday!"
"Someday (When I'm Gone From You)" - Bobby Vee And The Crickets
(Aug. 1962, B side of "Punish Her," from July 1962 album
Bobby Vee Meets The Crickets)
You just heard a double dose of Bobby Vee fronting Buddy Holly's band
The Crickets on "Someday (When I'm Gone From You)," and before
that "Peggy Sue," a ditty that made Rolling Stone magazine's
list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The Crickets on "Someday (When I'm Gone From You)," and before
that "Peggy Sue," a ditty that made Rolling Stone magazine's
list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Think hard, Vern. Do you remember
when my good buddy Chris Griffin
introduced limey lassie Amy Slattery
Do ya, do ya? Well, I got good news.
Amy's here with me in the studio
today and she brought her pappy.
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
Together they're gonna do a nifty cover of a hit by Phil and Don -
The Everly Brothers. Amy and her daddy sing-- "Walk Right Back!"
"Walk Right Back" - Amy Slattery & Her Dad (Everly Bros. cover)
(Feb. 2018, orig. single Mar./Apr. 1961, highest chart pos. #7)
That was purty little Amy Slattery, the British gal who sings, plays a hundred
instruments and covers The Beatles like nobody's beeswax, this time paying
tribute to Phil & Don with a little help from her musical daddy, as they
performed The Everlys' 1961 hit "Walk Right Back."
instruments and covers The Beatles like nobody's beeswax, this time paying
tribute to Phil & Don with a little help from her musical daddy, as they
performed The Everlys' 1961 hit "Walk Right Back."
Hello there. In case you just crawled
out from under a rock, you're tuned to
out from under a rock, you're tuned to
Ernest P. Worrell's Rock-A-Billygoat
here on S-P-M-M Retrosonic Radio,
home of The Shady Bunch, where
we always plow through a six pack
and toss in another cool one for the
road. Now this fella's a country
pop artist who sings, plays and
records in a style now known
as progressive country.
here on S-P-M-M Retrosonic Radio,
home of The Shady Bunch, where
we always plow through a six pack
and toss in another cool one for the
road. Now this fella's a country
pop artist who sings, plays and
records in a style now known
as progressive country.
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
In 1973 he lit up the charts with the song you're listening to right now.
B.W. Stevenson's his name, and this is-- "My Maria!"
B.W. Stevenson's his name, and this is-- "My Maria!"
"My Maria" - B.W. Stevenson
(Aug. to Oct. '73, highest chart pos. #7 Cash Box/#9 Hot 100)
That was B.W. Stevenson with "My Maria," a top 10 crossover hit from the fall of '73.
Dad-birnit, I'm fresh outta tunes,
plumb outta time, and I gotta run.
(My bladder's about to burst from
drinkin' too much Meller Yeller.)
Hey Vern... if you like what you
heard today on Rock-A-Billygoat,
then stick around, 'cause I'll be back
with another batch of Texas two-step
toe-tappers before you can say "Reba."
then stick around, 'cause I'll be back
with another batch of Texas two-step
toe-tappers before you can say "Reba."
In the meantime, in between time, stay
put for another exciting edition of the
put for another exciting edition of the
series That Was Then - This Is Now
coming up on the flip side of news.
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
So, until we meet again, this is your old buddy Errnest P. Worrell sayin' so long
and wishin' you green skies and blue lights, uh, I mean blue skies and green lights.
That means keep the bugs off your glass and smokey off your tail, don't take any
wooden nickels, and don't do anything I wouldn't do...know what I mean Vern?
and wishin' you green skies and blue lights, uh, I mean blue skies and green lights.
That means keep the bugs off your glass and smokey off your tail, don't take any
wooden nickels, and don't do anything I wouldn't do...know what I mean Vern?
"Susie-Q" - Dale Hawkins
(July/Aug. 1957, highest chart pos. #27 Hot 100/#47 Cash Box)
Hello Ernest and Vern! What a great way to start a Sunday morning! I believe I know all of the Rock a Billygoat tunes on your lineup, with only one exception.
ReplyDeleteI love Brenda Lee, but don't remember "Rock The Bop" She is so cute, and has a fantastic growl and upbeat voice. This is a great song, and I am glad you brought it to us!
Johnny Earle is pretty good as an Elvis cover, although he also inhabits a sound of his own. I like his cover of "Fame and Fortune".
Thanks for the Bobby Vee videos. I guess I didn't remember him and The Crickets performing together, but what a great sound they have. He did a fantastic cover of "Peggy Sue", not possessing the choppiness in his voice as Buddy Holly had, but certainly adding a cool growl. I have to say this is my favorite of the day-love it! Bobby brings "Someday" to the front also, I truly enjoyed both of these offerings, Ernest!
"Suzie Q"-what a classic, and a great song! I grew up with this one, and, always love to hear it. Creedence did a great cover of this one!
Amy and her dad are so good, aren't they! I remember them from a previous post of Shady's, and they do not disappoint! I love the Everly's, and "Walk Right Back" is a favorite. Amy and her dad sure put out the best vocals and guitar, and, did a stand up job.
Ernest, I'm proud to know you. I've always enjoyed your fun movies, and as a radio host, you "rock"! "My Maria" is another great, and fav of mine. Thank you for bringing this one up...I had no idea what B.W. Stevenson looks like, and now I know.
Thank you for a fun Sunday morning, Ernest, Vern and Shady! Music is what the doctor ordered for all time good feelings!
Have a great week Shady. Take care dear friend!
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteWowie, dear friend - you're the Early Bird this time! Thanks for hustling over. It's so nice of you to drop in first thing on your Sunday morning to catch the Ernest P. Worrell show on SPMM Retro Radio.
I'm thrilled that you know almost all of the songs, even though three of these featured artists are performing covers of those well known hits. Brenda Lee's "Rock The Bop" is on the B side of "Rock-A-Bye Baby Blues." Unfortunately for the little lady, neither side made the chart. I'm thinking Decca Records should have reversed the A & B sides. They might have achieved a hit. It's interesting that "Rock-A-Bye Baby Blues" was released at Christmas 1957 and has pretty much the same melody as Brenda's "Rockin' Aound The Christmas Tree," a song she recorded and first released in 1958. That seasonal song became a top 15 hit at Christmas 1960 when it was reissued with a picture sleeve. As you well know, it went on to become an evergreen holiday favorite and is still popular to this day.
I discovered English Elvis sound-alike artist Johnny Earle a couple of years ago. He impresses me more than any other imitator of The King. Thank you for singling out the late great Bobby Vee. I have grown to admire Bobby in recent years, having always thought of him simply as a pop idol. Turns out Bobby's rock & roll and rockabilly roots run deep. He was the real deal, and he is missed. I'm also delighted that you appreciate Dale Hawkins. I can imagine you and Karo singing "Susie-Q" in your studio.
Thank you for giving props to Brit girl Amy Slattery and her dad Gerry. They make a great duo and I will be bringing you more of their collabs as time goes by. I'm also pleased to know that "My Maria" is another of your favorites. Looks like Ernest did a great job as far as you're concerned. I had a hunch you'd react favorably to his lineup.
I'm always happy when I can show you a good time, Suzanne, and clearly you enjoyed having Ernest put some corn in your morn. Please take care of yourself and Scootie and enjoy the rest of your weekend and the week ahead. Tune in next Saturday if you can (or in the 6 days that follow) for another edition of That Was Then - This Is Now... the Jarring Juxtaposition of Female Artists Past and Present.
Thanks again for your visit and great comment, dear friend Suzanne!
My Maria. Now that's one I couldn't have brought to mind just from the title or told you who performed it. But listening to it, I certainly do remember it!
ReplyDeleteHope you've been having a good weekend, Shady.
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteWelcome back, dear friend! You're the Early Bird runner-up this week.
Yessum, I suspected you'd best remember the most recent song on Ernest's show, the progressive country/country pop sound of Dallas born singer and musician B.W. Stevenson and his hit "My Maria" from the late summer and early fall of 1973. By the way, "B.W." stands for Buck Wheat. Sadly B.W. had a bum ticker and died at the age of 38. "My Maria" was by far his biggest hit.
Thanks for tuning in Rock-A-Billygoat, dear friend Kelly. Please give Pat a Jerky Treat for me and have a wonderful week!
❤️c.
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteLUBBINS LUBBINS LUBBINS, dear friend!
Thanks for stopping by. I wish you and TT a safe and happy week up there in Alberta.
You weren't kidding - he really did sound like Elvis!
ReplyDeleteHi, Alex!
DeleteThanks for swinging over on your Sunday, good buddy!
Yes, at times Johnny E. sounds more like Elvis than Elvis, especially when he's backed by Elvis's Jordanaires. I'd love to see his live show.
Thanks for tuning in to Ernest's second official radio show, good buddy Alex!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteI can tell that he's not the King, though. I believe if you hadn't mentioned that he's an impersonator I would've noticed something wasn't right about the voice. Still...Earle does a good Elvis! Thanks for sharing another rockabilly edition hosted by Ernest. Have a swinging good time this week, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for dropping by, dear friend! I'm happy you joined me to sample the sounds on Ernest P. Worrell's second show on SPMM Retrosonic Radio.
In recent years I have become aware of many artists, groups and bands in the UK that are paying tribute to Elvis, Buddy Holly and other early rock and roll legends of the U.S. I will be sharing more of those covers here at Shady's Place. You have a good ear if you can tell something's a little off when you listen to English Elvis sound-alike Johnny Earle. Maybe it would be more accurate to call Johnny an Elvis sound-almost-alike, or to simply state that Elvis was, in the final analysis, "inimitable."
Thanks again for stopping in, dear friend Cathy, and have a boogietastic week!
Tom,
DeleteI don't know that I have a good ear considering my hearing problems but when I pay especially close attention then I do discern the difference. I will look forward to your future posts containing more covers. Have a good day, dear friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteI hope you're having a good Tuesday, dear friend. My ears aren't the best either, especially now that I'm older. However when it comes to oldies of my youth, I can almost always tell when I am listening to the original studio recording by the original artist, a soundalike, or a re-recorded version made by the original artist. The Cameo-Parkway artists in particular made many re-recorded versions of their hits. As far as the most accurate soundalikes I've ever heard, I'd have to single out Stars on 45 doing their Beatles and ABBA medleys. They are uncannily close to the originals!
Thanks for coming to chat and have a wonderful day, dear friend Cathy!
Tom,
DeleteThe only way I can tell if an original artist has re-recorded a song is if there's a change in tempo or other variations. Otherwise, I have a difficult time discerning. Those soundalike artists can be a bit tricky for my ear, too. Have a good day, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteYessum, some soundalike artists or re-recorded versions of songs by original artists are hard to tell from the original studio recordings. However there was a period, mainly in the 70s, when horrible sounding covers were recorded and released on various artists albums that sold cheaply in discount department stores. I bought a few of those long-plays because they contained 25 or 30 "hits" and initially seemed like a bargain, but the quality was low and I soon had buyer's remorse. :)
Thanks for coming back to chat, dear friend Cathy!
Well, I am here finally and enjoying listening to all of these. Brenda Lee looks so young and innocent but boy, can she belt it out...what a great song. That man, Johnny Earle, does sound like Elvis and he must have watched Elvis with some keen insight because he has his voice down pat. Love The Crickets and poor Buddy Holly who died way too young as did the others on that plane. Bobby Vee sings a great homage to Buddy and I love those images from the 1950s of these gals especially the one who fainted and is being carried by Lurch. I love that girl and her dad whom you showcased before. She is so talented and i am glad to see more of her here. The country guy is good even though I am not much into Country. The last guy, did he do the original which is what I listened to here? I know this song but not this rendition. Did you know that Buddy Holly took "That'll Be The Day" song from a John Wayne western? Buddy Holly loved The Searchers(a great film) and John Wayne, as Ethan, Says this throughout the film. Now, Wait for my next post because I created something with you in mind...hope you don't mind:)
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteHow's it going up there in the Niagara Falls region, dear friend? Thanks for tuning in to your friend and mine, Ernest P. Worrell, as he rocks a billygoat on SPMM!
Yessum, Brenda Lee is a little lady with powerful pipes. It's a shame some of her early rock & roll recordings failed to reach the chart. I think "Rock The Bop" shoulda been, coulda been, and woulda been a hit if it had been released on the A side of that platter instead of the B side.
I'm glad you appreciate the impression of Elvis the Pelvis created by British singer Johnny Earle. Yessum, Bobby Vee was the real deal. Much more than a pop idol, Bobby authentically performed rockabilly and rock & roll. He won respect back in the day and is still getting his props in the years following his death. Sadly Bobby was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and passed away in 2016 at the age of 73. Yessum, you will see some nostalgic images in these videos. My goal in picking videos for Shady's Place is to find top quality sound and picture. Sometimes I get lucky and find a YouTuber who goes the extra mile and presents a "slide show" or does a "sync edit" - marrying original studio sound to vintage performance footage.
I'm thrilled that you like Amy Slattery and her dad Gerry. Amy's last few uploads have been collaborations with her dad and I think they are great together.
Yessum, Loo-zee-anna rockabilly great Dale Hawkins, nicknamed "The Architect of Swamp Rock Boogie, co-wrote and first recorded "Susie-Q." The song was successfully covered by CCR and was also waxed by The Rolling Stones, Johnny Rivers and other artists including Bobby Vee. Dale Hawkins also died too young, at age 73, a victim of colon cancer.
No I wasn't aware that Buddy Holly's "That'll Be The Day" song was inspired by a phrase repeated in a John Wayne film. Thanks for sharing that! I am flattered that you created a post with Shady in mind. Are you going to call it "MUSICALS MUSICALS & MORE MUSICALS"? :) I'll be there, dearie.
Thank you again for your kind visit and excellent comment, dear friend BB!
I always learn more about music from you. I posted something with you in mind...hope you like it.
DeleteYou are a dear and amazing friend, Birgit. I am all verklempt after seeing your special surprise. I emailed you.
DeleteThanks a million... better make that a BBillion, BB!!!
Oh wow! That is super nice and I thank you. I will respond to your comment...I’m so far behind
DeleteHi Shady,
ReplyDeleteYou had me rocking and bopping to "Suzy Q", "Peggy Sue" and "Rock the Bop." Those are some of my favourites, especially from childhood.
I wasn't too familiar with the others, but can't wait to listen to these gems again tomorrow during work. They help make the day go by quicker and add extra jive into sitting on the couch.
Happy Monday, dear friend. Have a great evening.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for joining the fun, dear friend, as Ernest P. Worrell entertains the masses with his SPMM radio show Rock-A-Billygoat!
I'm happy to know Ernest P's playlist had you rockin' and boppin'. You should check with your dad to see if he remembers any of these rusty relics. In the meantime enjoy getting a tune or two stuck in your noggin while you work tomorrow.
Thanks again for being here. Have a good night and a great week, dear friend JM!
Hey Shady,
DeleteI'll definitely ask dad! :)
Didn't get a chance to listen to this morning, got tied up at work, but I will give them a listen to tomorrow morning. They'll get my morning started. :)
Thanks for the enterainment!
AOK, dear friend JM! The music is here when you find time to listen. Have a good night and a nice Wednesday!
DeleteThanks, dear friend. My new job isn't going so well and I feel like I'm being set up to fail. I'm looking for a new full-time job. It's anxiety inducing; I think your playlist might help.
DeleteHave a great Wednesday!
Hi dear friend,
DeleteAnother stressful day and these jukebox hits blew those blues away.
"Suzy Q," "Peggy Sue," and "Rock the Bop" are favourites and can always turn a frown upside down.
Some good news! I was listening to WRTI this morning and the interim host read the sunrise and sunset times after Star Date! I didn't call, but maybe other complained too. Woohoo! I still miss Gregg, however.
Have a great Thankful Thursday!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteI'm pleased that you found time to listen to Ernest's songs before his feature gets bumped off the front page tomorrow, and glad the three tunes you mentioned did the trick and chased the blues.
Thanks for sharing the great news about WRTI. It's a step in the right direction for them to respond to the requests of listeners.
Have a great Friday and weekend, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteI just listened again, before I log off for Shabbat. I ended up taking today off, work system issues and today is a special anniversary. Again, these tunes did the trick for celebrating life as well. :)
Agree! They are getting a lot of backlash on Facebook and added Gregg back to the website. He's only doing the Philadelphia Orchestra now, but they are pre-recorded. I hope we eventually learn the truth.
Have a great Friday and weekend as well, dear friend!
Thanks, JM. Have a safe and happy weekend!
DeleteHey there friend! Brenda Lee does NOT look old enough to Rock the Bop! Amy and her dad do a great job on Walk Right Back, in my opinion. Gotta make this a quick fly by tonight. Just got in a bit of typing work and I need to get myself organized with it. Have a great rest of your week!
ReplyDeleteHi, Janet!
DeleteI'm very happy to see you, dear friend! Thanks for setting your dial to SPMM Retrosonic Radio and listening to Ernest P. Worrell's second official show.
Brenda Lee certainly does look childlike in some of her early TV performances. Both the song "Rock The Bop" and this clip of little Brenda performing it were brand new to me when I came upon them a few weeks ago, just in time to plug the rare vid into Ernest P's volume 2 lineup.
I'm excited that you appreciate lovely and talented Brit girl Amy Slattery and her father Gerry as a duo performing that Everly Brothers song. Dad and daughter look and sound great together.
I'm glad to know you're getting typing work to keep you busy. Thank you again for taking time to drop in and have some fun in the Shady. Please give Benny a great big hug for me and enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Janet!
That face! Verne cracks me up.
ReplyDeleteHow old was Brenda Lee? She looks so young in that recording!
Hi, Sherry!
DeleteWelcome back to Shady's Place, dear friend! Ernest P. Worrell says howdy.
Yessum, Brenda Lee looks age 7 or 8 in that clip, doesn't she? Actually, she was indeed quite young to be so poised. Brenda was born in December 1944 and "Rock The Bop" was issued in December 1957. Doing the math, we realize that she was just turning 13 around the time of this performance.
I'm glad Ernest P. Worrell cracks you up. He will be back!
Thanks again for dropping in, dear friend Sherry!
Okay, so I've been hanging out here for about 40 minutes. Shady, I do have other things to do, so will you please stop with all the tantalizing videos? Of course, Brenda Lee always knocks my socks off with her voice that was so far ahead of her in years. Here's to Ernest. Keep smiling.
ReplyDeleteHi, Cheryl-Lee!
DeleteThanks for tuning in and tapping your toes to Ernest P. Worrell's second official platter party, dear friend!
I'm pleased that you couldn't tear yourself away once you started watching these videos and checking out the tuneage on Ernest's show. When Ernest rocks a billygoat, he does it right.
Thanks for singling out Brenda Lee doing the B side of her 7th single. Yessum, she started making records in 1956 when she was only 11 years old! On her first three singles she was billed as "Little Brenda Lee."
Thanks again for joining the fun and have a safe and happy March, dear friend Chery-Lee!
Hi Shady! Sorry, I didn't see this post until today! Don't know how that happened! I think I was driving back from Chicago on Sunday so that would explain it! Anyway I'll just stop by to say hi and I'm sure you'll have a new post soon. I hope all's well down south. We've had a little taste of Spring but cold and white flakes flying today. Take Care!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteThanks for coming, dear friend! That's AOK. I know you always have good reason to be absent or tardy to the party. I was starting to worry there was a problem with Midge or Jack. It's good to know everything's alright. I also hope new pup Autumn is doing well at The Pines.
Yessum, it turned pleasantly cooler down here today. We'll take all the winter we can get at this point. Looks like your weather is seesawing back and forth again. That has to be hard on your plantings.
Yessum, I have a new post coming up this Saturday and I hope you can stop in during its six day run. Until then, please stay safe, dear friend YaYa, and enjoy your Thursday night and Friday!
I'm trying to remember when was the last time I watched, rather than just listened, to Brenda Lee, because if the sound was turned off I wouldn't have known who that was. Unusual to hear such a self-assured rockabilly performance--at a time when rockabilly had practically just been invented--coming from a girl so young she was probably still wearing a training bra.
ReplyDeleteJohnny Earle does sound a lot like Elvis and if I hadn't known he wasn't Elvis, I probably would thought it was the real thing. But beyond being impressed by the mimicry, should I listen further? I went to an Elvis impersonator show about 13 years ago and it was great fun, but I know I'll never get to see Elvis perform live, so I might as well settle for mimicry. However, when it comes to Elvis' voice on a recording, well, I don't have to settle for mimicry. Guess what I'm trying to say is I'd have no need for a whole album of Earle's songs. But it was just one song you offered, so...impressive.
Bobby Vee had a unique voice, so when he sings a Buddy Holly song, you're hearing an interpretation rather than an impersonation, and to me, anyway, more of a reason to listen.
I didn't recognize the name B.L. Stevenson or the song title "My Maria" but recognized the song immediately. I'm not even sure I knew it as a country song but soft rock, a la English Dan and John Ford Coley. At least it's from the same era. I'm sure the country music purists didn't approve, but I'm not a country music or any other kind of purist, so I like the song.
Finally "Suzie Q" brings us back to Elvis. On guitar is James Burton, who in the 1970s led the King's backup band in live concerts.
Excuse me, that's B.W. Stevenson.
ReplyDeleteTold you I didn't recognize it.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for coming, good buddy! I'm glad you got your computer problems solved in time to check out Ernest P. Worrell's second show on SPMM Retro Radio.
There was a fine line between early rock & roll and rockabilly. My understanding of rockabilly is that it results when a primarily country rooted artist crosses over and performs in a rock & roll style. I was excited to discover that rare clip of Brenda Lee, just turning age 13, singing that rock & roll B side that I believe could have been a top 10 hit for her (and Decca) had it been pushed as the A side.
Like you I wouldn't be tempted to sit through an entire album of Johnny Earle doing vocal impressions of Elvis. I am thrilled to see that certain YouTube channels are releasing hundreds of original Presley recordings using state-of-the-art remastering. The tracks sound better than ever before and I will be presenting them in dribs and drabs as the years roll by.
I'm glad you appreciate the versatile Bobby Vee. YOu're right, Bobby's covers are not meant to be soundalike imitations. He adopted songs and rendered them in his own style. You aren't the only reader to reveal that the one-hit-wonder artist B.W. Stevenson didn't ring a bell until you heard his biggie "My Maria." "BUckwheat" Stevenson was classified as a progressive country artist and that specific recording is classified as country rock. The lines are blurry.
Thanks for the tidbit about "Susie-Q." On the original 45 rpm single released in May 1957, the title of the song is "Susie-Q" - Susie with an "S" in the middle. On his first album released in 1958 entitled Oh! Suzy-Q, you can see that the name was spelled "Suzy." The single was reissued on several different labels in the years that followed. Some of those labels adhered to the original spelling "Susie." Some go with "Suzy" and some spell it "Suzie." Me no likey. That kind of thing drives me crazy!
Thanks again for joining the fun with Ernest P, good buddy Kirk. Stay tuned for my next post coming tomorrow morning featuring The Jarring Juxtaposition of Female Artists - Then and Now.
Have a great weekend, Kirk!