1901 Clifford Gibson*
1919 Jimmy Nelson*
1926 Sam Carr*
1933 Byther Smith*
1950 Jean Jacques Milteau*
1956 Lonnie Shields*
1960 Eddie Cochran+
2003 Earl King+
John Parker*
Tom Forst *
Happy Birthday
Clifford Gibson *17.04.1901
Born in Louisiville, Kentucky, United States,[1] he moved to St. Louis, Missouri in the 1920s and lived there for the rest of his life.[2] He played in St. Louis clubs, and in 1929 began recording for the QRS and Victor labels. He is regarded as one of the earliest urban blues performers, with no pronounced rural influences. His guitar playing style resembled that of Lonnie Johnson, with an emphasis on vibrato and improvisation. Among the many themes touched on in his songs, "Don't Put That Thing on Me" is notable for its references to hoodoo, an African American form of folk magic.
Gibson accompanied Jimmie Rodgers on a Victor single, "Let Me Be Your Side Track", in 1931, then spent parts of the next three decades playing in the streets around St. Louis.[2] Gibson resurfaced on recordings in 1960 on the Bobbin label, and worked another three years in St. Louis' Gaslight Square, before his death from pulmonary edema in 1963.
Jimmy Nelson *17.04.1919
Jimmy "Mr. T99" Nelson (* 17. April 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; † 29. Juli 2007 in Houston, Texas) war ein US-amerikanischer Bluessänger und Komponist, dessen musikalische Karriere über ein halbes Jahrhundert umfasste.
1941 sah Nelson in Oakland, Kalifornien, einen Auftritt von Big Joe Turner, woraufhin er ebenfalls Bluessänger werden wollte.[2] Big Joe gab ihm die ersten Lektionen, und Nelson übernahm den Stil seines Mentors.
Zwischen 1951 und 1961 veröffentlichte Nelson acht Singles bei verschiedenen Tochterlabels von Modern Records. Die erfolgreichste war der "T-99 Blues" (1951), ein Stück über den texanischen Highway 99; nach diesem Hit bekam Nelson seinen Spitznamen.
Nelson ging u. a. mit Joe Liggins und Roy Milton auf Tour und spielte in so bekannten Musiktheatern wie dem Apollo und dem Howard Theatre. Er brachte Singles bei verschiedenen Plattenfirmen heraus.
1955 heiratete Nelson und ließ sich in Houston in Texas nieder. Er schrieb weiterhin Songs und spielte bei verschiedenen Bands, allerdings nur noch als Nebenjob.
1981 erschien bei Ace Records (UK) ein Album mit seinen früheren Singles und bescherte Nelson ein Comeback. Er ging wieder auf Tour und machte neue Aufnahmen. Sein Album Rockin' and Shoutin' the Blues (1999) wurde für zwei Handy Awards nominiert.[3]
Jimmy Nelson starb 2007 in Houston an Krebs.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Nelson
Jimmy "T99" Nelson (April 7, 1919 – July 29, 2007)[2] was an American jump blues and rhythm and blues shouter and songwriter.[1] With a recording career that spanned over 50 years, Jimmy "T99" Nelson became a distinguished elder statesman of American music. His best known recordings are "T-99 Blues" and "Meet Me With Your Black Dress On". Nelson notably worked with Duke Robillard and Otis Grand.[2]
Career
Nelson got his start singing in church. In 1941, he saw a performance by Big Joe Turner while he was visiting Oakland, California, and realized he wanted to sing the blues.[3] Turner taught Nelson about singing, performance and the music business. Nelson, in turn, absorbed the shouting style of his mentor.
From 1951 through 1961, Jimmy Nelson and the Peter Rabbit Trio released eight singles with the Bihari Brothers' Modern/RPM label. The biggest of these was "T-99 Blues" (which referred to the old Texas Highway #99), which debuted in June 1951. It stayed on the US Billboard R&B chart for twenty-one weeks and reached number 1. In 1952, Nelson had another RPM hit with "Meet Me With Your Black Dress On."
Nelson began touring, performing with bands led by Joe Liggins and Roy Milton, and playing venues including the Apollo and Howard theaters. He cut singles for a number of labels including Kent, Music City, Paradise and All Boy, and Chess (including for them the 1955 "Free and Easy Mind").
In 1955, Nelson met and married his Nettie (who is now deceased) and adopted Houston, Texas as his hometown. For the next 20 years, Nelson settled down and took a job working construction, though he continued to write songs and sit in with bands.
In the 1980s, Nelson came to the wider attention of blues fans when Ace issued ten of his sides on an album. Sweet Sugar Daddy a compilation album from the Japanese P-Vine Records, which mainly consisted of unreleased studio recordings from the 1960s and 1970s, was also released in 1988.
Nelson resumed touring and in 1999, released a comeback album Rockin' and Shoutin' the Blues from the Bullseye Blues & Jazz label. This album was nominated in two categories of the W.C. Handy Awards the following year.[4] Two more newly recorded albums followed on his own Nettie Marie label prior to his death, both featuring an all-star back-up band including Duke Robillard. In 2004, Ace released Cry Hard Luck, featuring re-issues of Nelson's Kent & RPM recordings from 1951-1961.
Nelson died of cancer at a nursing home in Houston on July 29, 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Nelson_%28singer%29Career
Nelson got his start singing in church. In 1941, he saw a performance by Big Joe Turner while he was visiting Oakland, California, and realized he wanted to sing the blues.[3] Turner taught Nelson about singing, performance and the music business. Nelson, in turn, absorbed the shouting style of his mentor.
From 1951 through 1961, Jimmy Nelson and the Peter Rabbit Trio released eight singles with the Bihari Brothers' Modern/RPM label. The biggest of these was "T-99 Blues" (which referred to the old Texas Highway #99), which debuted in June 1951. It stayed on the US Billboard R&B chart for twenty-one weeks and reached number 1. In 1952, Nelson had another RPM hit with "Meet Me With Your Black Dress On."
Nelson began touring, performing with bands led by Joe Liggins and Roy Milton, and playing venues including the Apollo and Howard theaters. He cut singles for a number of labels including Kent, Music City, Paradise and All Boy, and Chess (including for them the 1955 "Free and Easy Mind").
In 1955, Nelson met and married his Nettie (who is now deceased) and adopted Houston, Texas as his hometown. For the next 20 years, Nelson settled down and took a job working construction, though he continued to write songs and sit in with bands.
In the 1980s, Nelson came to the wider attention of blues fans when Ace issued ten of his sides on an album. Sweet Sugar Daddy a compilation album from the Japanese P-Vine Records, which mainly consisted of unreleased studio recordings from the 1960s and 1970s, was also released in 1988.
Nelson resumed touring and in 1999, released a comeback album Rockin' and Shoutin' the Blues from the Bullseye Blues & Jazz label. This album was nominated in two categories of the W.C. Handy Awards the following year.[4] Two more newly recorded albums followed on his own Nettie Marie label prior to his death, both featuring an all-star back-up band including Duke Robillard. In 2004, Ace released Cry Hard Luck, featuring re-issues of Nelson's Kent & RPM recordings from 1951-1961.
Nelson died of cancer at a nursing home in Houston on July 29, 2007.
John Parker *17.04.
John Parker, known as "The Rockin' Bluesman", was born in Santa Cruz, California into a very colorful heritage. His grandparents were Spanish royalty from the De La Guerra family which founded Santa Barbara, his father was the NASCAR Driver of the Year for 1956 and his mother was also a race car driver. John had many tales about being strapped in the race car with his younger brother, surrounded by pillows during the races. He started out life in the fast lane and continue to live it that way till the end - laughing and loving it all the way.
John fell into music at an early age and grew up loving the sounds of BB King, Django Reinhardt, Freddie King and Buddy Guy. He played his way across the country and he wound up in the Atlanta, Georgia music scene where he found his "Blues calling"and he stayed there for several years performing with many great artists including his good friends Tinsley Ellis and Doug James among others.John finally moved back to the West Coast to play what he loved about Georgia the most - the Blues. He's performed with Chicago Bob Nelson, Big Joe Jackson, Butch Travette & the Alley Cats, the late Piano Red, Delbert McClinton and Doug Kershaw. He's opened for The Beach Boys, Juice Newton, Coco Montoya, Bobby Bear and Eric Burdon.
Back in California, John became very involved in the Film & Television Entertainment Industry, was elected President of the Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society in 2006 and became the leader and driving force behind 3 different bands of his own - Forced Call, The Parker-Jensen Band and finally The John Parker Blues Band.
Also, President of the Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society, Legislative Ambassador for the American Cancer Society, Entertainment Chairman for the Santa Clarita Valley "Relay For Life", which is one of the largest Relays in California and the 10th largest in the US. To date, John has been involved in ACS events that have made more than $4,500,000 in funds for Cancer Research.
John released his first CD "Off The Clock" in 2005 with Forced Call and has a new "John Parker - Self Titled" CD which was released in June, 2008.
The new CD is filled with very up tempo West Coast Blues. John has always written songs that are funny, true to life and personal...and non are more personal than the ones he wrote for this CD. "Self-Titled" was long in the making and is about his challenges, victories, courage and fears.
"John Parker - Self Titled" won the 2008 LA Regional "Best Self Produced CD" Competition. It is now playing on 154 Radio Stations around the world and hit the "Roots Blues Top 50" Charts after just EIGHT DAYS of Airplay!!
"I've Got The Blues Baby" appeared on the "Dagger" episode of "NCIS" - CBS/Paramount.
JOHN PARKER - OREO COOKIE BLUES
Jean Jacques Milteau *17.04.1950
Jean-Jacques Milteau (* 1950 in Paris) ist ein französischer Bluessänger und Mundharmonikaspieler.
Milteau entdeckte die Bluesharmonika Mitte der 1960er- Jahre, als er Alben von Musikern wie Bob Dylan und den Rolling Stones hörte. Sein Interesse war geweckt und auf einer späteren Reise nach Amerika lernte er den traditionellen Blues kennen. Ende der 1970er- Jahre entschloss er sich mit Musik seinen Lebensunterhalt zu verdienen. Er spielte mit vielen französischen Sängern wie Yves Montand, Eddy Mitchell, Jean-Jacques Goldman, Maxime Le Forestier, Barbara, Charles Aznavour... Sein Durchbruch als Solist in Frankreich erfolgte 1989 mit dem Album Blues Harp und vielen Konzerten mit US-amerikanischen Blues-Sängern wie Mighty Mo Rodgers, Demi Evans... Neben der Musik schrieb er auch Lehrbücher für die Mundharmonika.
Jean-Jacques Milteau (born 17 April 1950, Paris) is a French blues harmonica player, singer, and songwriter.
Career
Milteau became interested in the harmonica when he first heard folk and rock music (such as Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones) in the 1960s. He played with French singers such as Yves Montand, Eddy Mitchell, Jean-Jacques Goldman, Maxime Le Forestier, Barbara, and Charles Aznavour in various styles, from blues to jazz. In 1989, he recorded his first solo album, Blues Harp, and toured the world with Manu Galvin at the guitar and with guest musicians including Mighty Mo Rodgers and Demi Evans. He has authored methods for learning the harmonica and, since 2001, is leading a radio show dedicated to blues on the French station TSF Jazz.
Awards
2001 : Best Blues Album Memphis (French Victoire de la musique)
Career
Milteau became interested in the harmonica when he first heard folk and rock music (such as Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones) in the 1960s. He played with French singers such as Yves Montand, Eddy Mitchell, Jean-Jacques Goldman, Maxime Le Forestier, Barbara, and Charles Aznavour in various styles, from blues to jazz. In 1989, he recorded his first solo album, Blues Harp, and toured the world with Manu Galvin at the guitar and with guest musicians including Mighty Mo Rodgers and Demi Evans. He has authored methods for learning the harmonica and, since 2001, is leading a radio show dedicated to blues on the French station TSF Jazz.
Awards
2001 : Best Blues Album Memphis (French Victoire de la musique)
Lonnie Shields *17.04.1956
Lonnie Shields (* 17. April 1956 in West Helena, Arkansas)[1] ist ein US-amerikanischer Bluesmusiker (Gitarre, Gesang) und Songwriter.
Shields wuchs in einem religiösen Umfeld auf und kam so früh mit der Gospel-Musik in Berührung. Er spielte Soul und Funk, bevor er durch seinen Freund Sam Carr zum Blues kam. Er spielte in Carrs Unforgettable Blues Band und mit anderen Bluesmusikern aus der Gegend, etwa Frank Frost und Big Jack Johnson.[2]
Seine erste Band, The Checkmates, hatte Shields mit 15 Jahren; sie spielten im Stil von Earth, Wind and Fire und The Isley Brothers, Als die Band sich auflöste, gab Shields die Musik auf, bis er Sam Carr kennenlernte. Wenig später war er mit Carr, Frank Frost und Big Jack Johnson unterwegs.[2]
1986 trat Shields beim ersten King Biscuit Blues Festival auf, woraufhin ihm eine Singleaufnahme angeboten wurde. 1992 erschien dann sein erstes Album Portrait, das gute Kritiken erhielt. Seitdem ist Shields ein begehrter Gast bei Bluesfestivals rund um die Welt.
Shields wuchs in einem religiösen Umfeld auf und kam so früh mit der Gospel-Musik in Berührung. Er spielte Soul und Funk, bevor er durch seinen Freund Sam Carr zum Blues kam. Er spielte in Carrs Unforgettable Blues Band und mit anderen Bluesmusikern aus der Gegend, etwa Frank Frost und Big Jack Johnson.[2]
Seine erste Band, The Checkmates, hatte Shields mit 15 Jahren; sie spielten im Stil von Earth, Wind and Fire und The Isley Brothers, Als die Band sich auflöste, gab Shields die Musik auf, bis er Sam Carr kennenlernte. Wenig später war er mit Carr, Frank Frost und Big Jack Johnson unterwegs.[2]
1986 trat Shields beim ersten King Biscuit Blues Festival auf, woraufhin ihm eine Singleaufnahme angeboten wurde. 1992 erschien dann sein erstes Album Portrait, das gute Kritiken erhielt. Seitdem ist Shields ein begehrter Gast bei Bluesfestivals rund um die Welt.
Lonnie Shields is truly the next generation of the blues. He cut his blues teeth performing with the Jelly Roll Kings. His recording career has led him through a number of studios from Memphis and Clarksdale to tours all over the world.
This Delta born guitarist, singer and songwriter's style is just the opposite of his demeanor. Lonnie comes across as a mild mannered southern gentleman with a laid back nature. On stage, he is transformed into an extraordinary entertainer moving to his music and feeding off the energy of the audience. His music is deeply rooted in gospel, soul and R & B while his sound, like his soul is never too far from the home of the blues.
Lonnie Shields career has skyrocketed over the past few years and he is performing all over the world. He was the first Delta artist that Rooster Blues picked up after moving to Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1987. His CD "Portrait" was released in 1992 and reads like a who's who of Delta Blues Performers. Since then he has gone on to release more CD's and build an impressive list of songwriter credits.
Over the years, Lonnie has played with many Blues greats including Sam Carr, Sonny Rhodes,Eddie Shaw and Big Jack Johnson to name just a few.
Lonnie's latest release "Keeper of The Blues" is another jewel in a string of 5 CDs featuring his soulful, "down home" Blues with a contemporary focus yet juke-joint feel. Lonnie's hard work has paid off in a fine compilation of music and a reputation of a man with the heart and soul of the Blues. Lonnie now makes his home in Media, Pennsylvania but always has and always will be the Keeper of The Blues wherever he lays his guitar. ~DeltaBoogie.com
Guitarist, singer and songwriter Lonnie Shields' Portrait (Rooster Blues) was praised by critics as one of the best debut albums of the year when it was released in 1992. Since then, the high praise from all corners of the world has continued for Shields' simple yet complex style of soulful, rhythmic blues.
Shields was brought up in a family where the church played a central role in daily life, and his gospel roots show through in everything he sings. He began playing soul and funk before discovering the Delta blues through his friend Sam Carr. Shields worked with Carr in the Unforgettable Blues Band and took as his other mentors local musicians like Frank Frost and Big Jack Johnson. Later, he discovered B.B. King, whom he considers his primary influence.
their musical cues from the sounds of Earth, Wind and Fire and the Isley Brothers. After the band broke up, Shields gave up playing guitar for some time until he met drummer Sam Carr in Lula, Mississippi. Carr was insistent that Shields learn to play authentic blues, and a short time later, he was out on the road with Carr, Frank Frost and Big Jack Johnson.
After Shields played the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas in 1986, he was asked to record a single for the Rooster Blues label. This in turn led to his first album for Rooster Blues, released in 1993. The album got him noticed in the blues world and let to a broader touring base that included festival stops around the Northeast. Shields recorded and released Tired of Waiting (1996) and Blues Is On Fire (1997) for the London-based JSP Record label. A second Rooster Blues album, Midnight Delight, was released in 2000. He continues to perform around the U.S., Europe and Canada.
~ Richard Skelly, All Music Guide
This Delta born guitarist, singer and songwriter's style is just the opposite of his demeanor. Lonnie comes across as a mild mannered southern gentleman with a laid back nature. On stage, he is transformed into an extraordinary entertainer moving to his music and feeding off the energy of the audience. His music is deeply rooted in gospel, soul and R & B while his sound, like his soul is never too far from the home of the blues.
Lonnie Shields career has skyrocketed over the past few years and he is performing all over the world. He was the first Delta artist that Rooster Blues picked up after moving to Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1987. His CD "Portrait" was released in 1992 and reads like a who's who of Delta Blues Performers. Since then he has gone on to release more CD's and build an impressive list of songwriter credits.
Over the years, Lonnie has played with many Blues greats including Sam Carr, Sonny Rhodes,Eddie Shaw and Big Jack Johnson to name just a few.
Lonnie's latest release "Keeper of The Blues" is another jewel in a string of 5 CDs featuring his soulful, "down home" Blues with a contemporary focus yet juke-joint feel. Lonnie's hard work has paid off in a fine compilation of music and a reputation of a man with the heart and soul of the Blues. Lonnie now makes his home in Media, Pennsylvania but always has and always will be the Keeper of The Blues wherever he lays his guitar. ~DeltaBoogie.com
Guitarist, singer and songwriter Lonnie Shields' Portrait (Rooster Blues) was praised by critics as one of the best debut albums of the year when it was released in 1992. Since then, the high praise from all corners of the world has continued for Shields' simple yet complex style of soulful, rhythmic blues.
Shields was brought up in a family where the church played a central role in daily life, and his gospel roots show through in everything he sings. He began playing soul and funk before discovering the Delta blues through his friend Sam Carr. Shields worked with Carr in the Unforgettable Blues Band and took as his other mentors local musicians like Frank Frost and Big Jack Johnson. Later, he discovered B.B. King, whom he considers his primary influence.
their musical cues from the sounds of Earth, Wind and Fire and the Isley Brothers. After the band broke up, Shields gave up playing guitar for some time until he met drummer Sam Carr in Lula, Mississippi. Carr was insistent that Shields learn to play authentic blues, and a short time later, he was out on the road with Carr, Frank Frost and Big Jack Johnson.
After Shields played the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas in 1986, he was asked to record a single for the Rooster Blues label. This in turn led to his first album for Rooster Blues, released in 1993. The album got him noticed in the blues world and let to a broader touring base that included festival stops around the Northeast. Shields recorded and released Tired of Waiting (1996) and Blues Is On Fire (1997) for the London-based JSP Record label. A second Rooster Blues album, Midnight Delight, was released in 2000. He continues to perform around the U.S., Europe and Canada.
~ Richard Skelly, All Music Guide
Lonnie Shields Live Everyday I Have The Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHYvACDBTSI&nohtml5=False
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHYvACDBTSI&nohtml5=False
Sam Carr *17.04.1926
Sam Carr (* 17. April 1926 in Friar's Point, Mississippi; † 21. September 2009 in Clarksdale, Mississippi) war ein US-amerikanischer Bluesschlagzeuger. Bekannt wurde er durch seine lebenslange Zusammenarbeit mit dem Mundharmonikaspieler Frank Frost. Sein Vater ist der Bluesgitarrist Robert Nighthawk.
Er wurde in Mississippi als Sohn von Robert Nighthawk unter dem Namen Samuel Lee McCollum geboren.Seine Mutter überließ ihn im Alter von eineinhalb Jahren der Obsorge der Familie Carr, die ihn adoptierte und auf ihrer Farm aufzogen. Bereits im Alter von sieben Jahren nahm ihn sein Vater zu Auftritten mit, wo er in den Pausen tanzte. Nach seinem Umzug nach Helena, dem Ort, wo auch sein Vater wohnte, wurde er Türsteher und spielte auch Bass in der Gruppe seines Vaters.[1]
Im Alter von 20 Jahren heiratete er Doris und wurde Pachtfarmer, nach einem Streit mit dem Verwalter ging das junge Paar nach Chicago, nach kurzer Zeit übersiedelten sie nach St. Louis, wo sie mit Carrs Mutter lebten. Hier spielte er Bass in der Band des Mundharmonikaspielers Tree Top Slim. Auch bildete er seine erste eigene Band Little Sam Carr and the Blue Kings, in der Early Bea, die Frau von Robert Nighthawk, Schlagzeug spielte, bevor Carr auf dieses Instrument umstieg.
Von 1956 an spielte er regelmäßig mit Frank Frost. Mit dem Gitarristen Big Jack Johnson bildeten die drei die Jelly Roll Kings. Ihre Zusammenarbeit dauerte bis zum Tod Frosts 1999 an. Danach spielte Carr mit verschiedenen Künstlern aus Arkansas und war Leader seiner Delta Jukes. Seinen letzten Auftritt hatte er 2009 beim Mother's Best Festival in Helena, Arkansas. Er starb am 21. September 2009 in einem Pflegeheim in Clarksdale, Mississippi an einem Herzinfarkt.[2][3]
Auszeichnungen
zahlreiche Blues Music Awards Nominierungen als bester Schlagzeuger
Mississippi Heritage Award 2007
zahlreiche Living Blues Awards Nominierungen als bester Drummer
Er wurde in Mississippi als Sohn von Robert Nighthawk unter dem Namen Samuel Lee McCollum geboren.Seine Mutter überließ ihn im Alter von eineinhalb Jahren der Obsorge der Familie Carr, die ihn adoptierte und auf ihrer Farm aufzogen. Bereits im Alter von sieben Jahren nahm ihn sein Vater zu Auftritten mit, wo er in den Pausen tanzte. Nach seinem Umzug nach Helena, dem Ort, wo auch sein Vater wohnte, wurde er Türsteher und spielte auch Bass in der Gruppe seines Vaters.[1]
Im Alter von 20 Jahren heiratete er Doris und wurde Pachtfarmer, nach einem Streit mit dem Verwalter ging das junge Paar nach Chicago, nach kurzer Zeit übersiedelten sie nach St. Louis, wo sie mit Carrs Mutter lebten. Hier spielte er Bass in der Band des Mundharmonikaspielers Tree Top Slim. Auch bildete er seine erste eigene Band Little Sam Carr and the Blue Kings, in der Early Bea, die Frau von Robert Nighthawk, Schlagzeug spielte, bevor Carr auf dieses Instrument umstieg.
Von 1956 an spielte er regelmäßig mit Frank Frost. Mit dem Gitarristen Big Jack Johnson bildeten die drei die Jelly Roll Kings. Ihre Zusammenarbeit dauerte bis zum Tod Frosts 1999 an. Danach spielte Carr mit verschiedenen Künstlern aus Arkansas und war Leader seiner Delta Jukes. Seinen letzten Auftritt hatte er 2009 beim Mother's Best Festival in Helena, Arkansas. Er starb am 21. September 2009 in einem Pflegeheim in Clarksdale, Mississippi an einem Herzinfarkt.[2][3]
Auszeichnungen
zahlreiche Blues Music Awards Nominierungen als bester Schlagzeuger
Mississippi Heritage Award 2007
zahlreiche Living Blues Awards Nominierungen als bester Drummer
Er galt als einer der besten Schlagzeuger des Blues in der Nachkriegszeit, der 1926 als Samuel Lee McCollum geborene Sam Carr. Sein Vater war der einflussreiche Robert Lee McCollum, der unter den Namen Robert Nighthawk und Robert Lee McCoy in der Zeit vor dem Zweiten Weltkrieg seine Karriere als Gitarrist und Sänger begann. Doch Sam lernte ihn erst kennen, als er sieben Jahre alt war. Denn seine Mutter hatte ihn der Famile Carr anvertraut, die in später adoptierte.
Sam Carr - Biografie
Während sein Vater vor allem in Arkansas als Musiker umherzog und Aufnahmen etwa mit Sonny Boy Williamson I, Big Joe Williams und anderen Stars der Zeit machte, übte sich Sam im Spiel auf der Bluesharp. Erst nach 1946 begann er selbst in St. Louis zu musizieren. In seiner Band Little Sam Carr and the Blue Kings übernahm er bald die Rolle des Drummers.
Ab 1956 arbeitete er regelmäßig mit dem Sänger und Harpspieler Frank Frost zusammen. Die beiden begleiteten etwa Sonny Boy Williamson II für eine Zeit. Später wurde mit weiteren Musikern die Band Frank Frost and the Night Hawks gegründet, die für Sam Phillips in Memphis ein Album aufnahm. Nach dem Lied "Jelly Roll King" benannte die Band sich später. Egal, ob sie gerade einen Plattendeal hatten oder nicht - die Jelly Roll Kings blieben als Band bis in die zu Frosts Tod 1999 zusammen. Daneben verdienten sie ihr Geld etwa als Traktorfahrer (Carr). Nur Frank Frost versuchte - berühmt für seine Faulheit - so wenig wie möglich zu machen.
Danach spielte Carr mit verschiedenen Bands der Region zusammen, war etwa bei Buddy Guys phänomenalen Album Sweat Tea mit von der Partie, und er hatte auch wieder eine eigene Gruppe, die Delta Jukes, mit der er zahlreiche Alben einspielte. Nach langer Krankheit starb er am 21. September 2009.
Sam Carr (born Samuel Lee McCollum, April 17, 1926 - September 21, 2009) was an American blues drummer best known as a member of The Jelly Roll Kings.
Largely self-taught, Carr is noted for his "mimimalist" three-piece drum kit consisting of a snare drum, a bass, and high hat cymbal.[1]
Early life
Born near Marvell, Arkansas, McCollum was adopted as a toddler into the Carr family and raised on their farm near Dundee, Mississippi.[2] He also took their last name.
At 16, Carr returned to Arkansas where he played bass for his biological father, Robert Nighthawk, an established blues musician. He also worked as a chauffeur. Carr married his wife Doris in 1946, and they began sharecropping in Helena, Arkansas. He was involved in a dispute over a borrowed mule team with the plantation owner, who attempted to beat him. Carr later stated: "I wasn't going to let him whoop me, that was plumb out of the question. From that day on, white people called me crazy."[2][3]
The Carrs moved to Chicago, and then St. Louis to live with Carr’s biological mother. In St. Louis, Carr began playing bass guitar with harmonica player Tree Top Slim. Carr formed his own band, Little Sam Carr and the Blue Kings, which initially featured Nighthawk's second wife Early Bea on drums, until Carr decided to take on that role.[2] The band played mostly "low-class clubs" in poor neighborhoods of St. Louis.
In 1956, Carr began working regularly with Frank Frost, who played both harmonica and guitar.
The Jelly Roll Kings
In 1962, the Carrs and Frost moved to Mississippi where they joined with Clarksdale-based guitarist Big Jack Johnson to form The Jelly Roll Kings. For several years, Doris sang with the band. They recorded the album Hey Boss Man, on the Phillips International label. One of the album's songs, "Jelly Roll King," inspired the band's name, and has been noted as a classic of electric juke joint blues.[1]
In 1966, the band had a minor hit with "My Back Scratcher".
The Jelly Roll Kings continued to play together throughout the 1960s and 1970s, though Carr also worked as a tractor driver from his home in Lula, Mississippi.
In the mid-1970s, the band released the LP Rockin' the Juke Joint Down on the Earwig label.[2]
Carr and Frost were featured with guitarist Ry Cooder on the soundtrack to the 1986 movie Crossroads.[1]
The trio would re-unite on various occasion, producing the albums Midnight Prowler (1988), Daddy When Is Mama Comin’ Home (1991), and Yonder Wall (1996). They also contributed to the PBS documentary River of Song in 1996.
Delta music
Carr is known to have contributed his unique drumming sound to albums by blues musicians T-Model Ford, Asie Payton, Robert Walker, Paul "Wine" Jones, Lonnie Shields, Sonny Boy Williamson II, "Honeyboy" Edwards, and Buddy Guy.[2][4]
In his later years, Carr led his own group, The Delta Jukes, working often with Dave Riley on guitar and vocals. The group recorded a number of albums, including Working for the Blues (2002), Down in the Delta (2004), and Let the Good Times Roll (2007).[2]
Carr has been featured in film and television documentaries about the Mississippi blues, including Martin Scorsese's The Blues: Feel Like Going Home (2003).[1]
Honors
In 2007, Carr received a Heritage Award from Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour at the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts ceremony in Jackson. He has also received awards from Living Blues magazine.[5] Carr is mentioned on several Mississippi Blues Trail markers.
Death
Carr died in a nursing home in Clarksdale of congestive heart failure at age 83. He had no children.
Sam Carr - Biografie
Während sein Vater vor allem in Arkansas als Musiker umherzog und Aufnahmen etwa mit Sonny Boy Williamson I, Big Joe Williams und anderen Stars der Zeit machte, übte sich Sam im Spiel auf der Bluesharp. Erst nach 1946 begann er selbst in St. Louis zu musizieren. In seiner Band Little Sam Carr and the Blue Kings übernahm er bald die Rolle des Drummers.
Ab 1956 arbeitete er regelmäßig mit dem Sänger und Harpspieler Frank Frost zusammen. Die beiden begleiteten etwa Sonny Boy Williamson II für eine Zeit. Später wurde mit weiteren Musikern die Band Frank Frost and the Night Hawks gegründet, die für Sam Phillips in Memphis ein Album aufnahm. Nach dem Lied "Jelly Roll King" benannte die Band sich später. Egal, ob sie gerade einen Plattendeal hatten oder nicht - die Jelly Roll Kings blieben als Band bis in die zu Frosts Tod 1999 zusammen. Daneben verdienten sie ihr Geld etwa als Traktorfahrer (Carr). Nur Frank Frost versuchte - berühmt für seine Faulheit - so wenig wie möglich zu machen.
Danach spielte Carr mit verschiedenen Bands der Region zusammen, war etwa bei Buddy Guys phänomenalen Album Sweat Tea mit von der Partie, und er hatte auch wieder eine eigene Gruppe, die Delta Jukes, mit der er zahlreiche Alben einspielte. Nach langer Krankheit starb er am 21. September 2009.
#Bluespfaffe#
Sam Carr (born Samuel Lee McCollum, April 17, 1926 - September 21, 2009) was an American blues drummer best known as a member of The Jelly Roll Kings.
Largely self-taught, Carr is noted for his "mimimalist" three-piece drum kit consisting of a snare drum, a bass, and high hat cymbal.[1]
Early life
Born near Marvell, Arkansas, McCollum was adopted as a toddler into the Carr family and raised on their farm near Dundee, Mississippi.[2] He also took their last name.
At 16, Carr returned to Arkansas where he played bass for his biological father, Robert Nighthawk, an established blues musician. He also worked as a chauffeur. Carr married his wife Doris in 1946, and they began sharecropping in Helena, Arkansas. He was involved in a dispute over a borrowed mule team with the plantation owner, who attempted to beat him. Carr later stated: "I wasn't going to let him whoop me, that was plumb out of the question. From that day on, white people called me crazy."[2][3]
The Carrs moved to Chicago, and then St. Louis to live with Carr’s biological mother. In St. Louis, Carr began playing bass guitar with harmonica player Tree Top Slim. Carr formed his own band, Little Sam Carr and the Blue Kings, which initially featured Nighthawk's second wife Early Bea on drums, until Carr decided to take on that role.[2] The band played mostly "low-class clubs" in poor neighborhoods of St. Louis.
In 1956, Carr began working regularly with Frank Frost, who played both harmonica and guitar.
The Jelly Roll Kings
In 1962, the Carrs and Frost moved to Mississippi where they joined with Clarksdale-based guitarist Big Jack Johnson to form The Jelly Roll Kings. For several years, Doris sang with the band. They recorded the album Hey Boss Man, on the Phillips International label. One of the album's songs, "Jelly Roll King," inspired the band's name, and has been noted as a classic of electric juke joint blues.[1]
In 1966, the band had a minor hit with "My Back Scratcher".
The Jelly Roll Kings continued to play together throughout the 1960s and 1970s, though Carr also worked as a tractor driver from his home in Lula, Mississippi.
In the mid-1970s, the band released the LP Rockin' the Juke Joint Down on the Earwig label.[2]
Carr and Frost were featured with guitarist Ry Cooder on the soundtrack to the 1986 movie Crossroads.[1]
The trio would re-unite on various occasion, producing the albums Midnight Prowler (1988), Daddy When Is Mama Comin’ Home (1991), and Yonder Wall (1996). They also contributed to the PBS documentary River of Song in 1996.
Delta music
Carr is known to have contributed his unique drumming sound to albums by blues musicians T-Model Ford, Asie Payton, Robert Walker, Paul "Wine" Jones, Lonnie Shields, Sonny Boy Williamson II, "Honeyboy" Edwards, and Buddy Guy.[2][4]
In his later years, Carr led his own group, The Delta Jukes, working often with Dave Riley on guitar and vocals. The group recorded a number of albums, including Working for the Blues (2002), Down in the Delta (2004), and Let the Good Times Roll (2007).[2]
Carr has been featured in film and television documentaries about the Mississippi blues, including Martin Scorsese's The Blues: Feel Like Going Home (2003).[1]
Honors
In 2007, Carr received a Heritage Award from Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour at the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts ceremony in Jackson. He has also received awards from Living Blues magazine.[5] Carr is mentioned on several Mississippi Blues Trail markers.
Death
Carr died in a nursing home in Clarksdale of congestive heart failure at age 83. He had no children.
Frank Frost and Sam Carr at King Biscuit II
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9z7f-KDd-g
Tom Forst *17.04.
https://www.facebook.com/tomthesuitforst
http://www.suittythurrsty.com/index.html
"THE SUIT"
Two time finalist for the BLUES SOCIETY competition. Finalist for the CT Music Awards
TOM FORST known as "THE SUIT" is a Pro guitarist/vocalist/songwriter - Focus: TOURING/RECORDING - ORIGINAL MUSIC. ****
tomthesuitforst@gmail.com
COMPLETED - an album with THE SUIT & TYree - on itunes called POINT OF VIEW. The Suit & Tyree are endorsed by SUPER CUTS!
FINISHED - the first full length CD with: FORGOTTEN BY FRIDAY - an amazing Modern Rock/New Country Band - on itunes called BELIEVE . Just opened for THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND.
The Suit is endorsed by OCCHINERI GUITARS
Completed a "BLUES OPERA" with: AMADEO a signed Blues/Rock singer/writer -England.
On guitar Vttuoso, Chris Bickley's new CD - due out this summer.
Performed with: I AM ISIS - a fantastic SOUL/ROCK/R&B band - NYC.
http://www.reverbnation.com/tomthesuitforst
Tom Forst *17.04.
https://www.facebook.com/tomthesuitforst
http://www.suittythurrsty.com/index.html
"THE SUIT"
Two time finalist for the BLUES SOCIETY competition. Finalist for the CT Music Awards
TOM FORST known as "THE SUIT" is a Pro guitarist/vocalist/songwriter - Focus: TOURING/RECORDING - ORIGINAL MUSIC. ****
tomthesuitforst@gmail.com
COMPLETED - an album with THE SUIT & TYree - on itunes called POINT OF VIEW. The Suit & Tyree are endorsed by SUPER CUTS!
FINISHED - the first full length CD with: FORGOTTEN BY FRIDAY - an amazing Modern Rock/New Country Band - on itunes called BELIEVE . Just opened for THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND.
The Suit is endorsed by OCCHINERI GUITARS
Completed a "BLUES OPERA" with: AMADEO a signed Blues/Rock singer/writer -England.
On guitar Vttuoso, Chris Bickley's new CD - due out this summer.
Performed with: I AM ISIS - a fantastic SOUL/ROCK/R&B band - NYC.
http://www.reverbnation.com/tomthesuitforst
Tom the suit Forst solo on new Occhineri Guitar
DRAWERS (on your behind)
R.I.P.
Earl King +17.04.2003
Earl King (* 7. Februar 1934 in New Orleans; † 17. April 2003 ebenda; eigentlicher Name Earl Silas Johnson IV) war ein US-amerikanischer Blues- und Rhythm-and-Blues-Sänger, Gitarrist sowie Songwriter. Aufgrund der Beteiligung an den Aufnahmen vieler Künstler und seiner vielen Kontakte gehörte er zum einflussreichen Kern der New Orleanser Rhythm-and-Blues-Szene.
Earl Silas Johnson IV wurde als Sohn eines Bluespianisten geboren und wuchs im Stadtviertel Irish Channel in New Orleans auf. Der Vater Earl Silas Johnson III, der mit Tuts Washington in einer Band spielte, verstarb früh.[2] Die ersten musikalischen Erfahrungen machte Earl King mit Gospelmusik im Kirchenchor. In New Orleans hörte er aber auch Smiley Lewis in einer Bar spielen, worauf er begann, den Blues zu singen.[3]
Der Pianist Huey „Piano“ Smith engagierte den jungen Sänger für seine Band und überredete ihn schließlich zur Gitarre. Bei der Arbeit in den renommierten Blues-Clubs der Stadt konnte Earl King auch das Gitarrenspiel von Guitar Slim studieren und sich dessen Stil aneignen. Im Unterricht bei Slim lernte er, das Gitarrensolo spezifisch auf den Song auszurichten und einen „psychologischen Ansatz“ beim Songwriting.[2] Earl konnte seinen Mentor in dessen Band vertreten, als dieser eine Tour anlässlich seines Charterfolgs The Things That I Used to Do aufgrund eines Krankenhausaufenthalts nicht antreten konnte.[2] Zu dieser Zeit kam auch Little Richard erstmals nach New Orleans, wo er Earl King hörte, und dessen großen Einfluss auf seinen Rock ’n’ Roll er später zu Protokoll gab.[4]
1953 konnte Earl King für das Label Savoy Records mit Huey Smith am Piano und Lee Allen am Saxophon eine erste Single aufnehmen, die allerdings wenig Aufmerksamkeit erregte. Im nächsten Jahr spielte er für Specialty Records drei Singles ein. Neben dem regionalen Hit A Mother’s Love war vor allem die Namensänderung von Bedeutung: der Label-Chef Art Rupe hatte sich den Künstlernamen „King Earl“ ausgedacht, ein Mitarbeiter verdrehte allerdings beim Design der Plattenaufkleber die Worte, so dass Earl ab diesem Zeitpunkt nur noch als „Earl King“ veröffentlichte.[3] Die Entwicklungsmöglichkeiten bei Specialty waren aber begrenzt, da Earl auf den Aufnahmen zu sehr Guitar Slim ähnelte, dessen Reputation und Unterstützung durch das Label mehr Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt wurde.[2]
Specialtys Produzent und Talentscout Johnny Vincent gründete 1955 Ace Records und überredete Earl King, ihm zu folgen. Mit Those Lonely, Lonely Nights gelang Earl dort der nationale Durchbruch und erreichte den siebten Platz der R&B-Charts. Don Robey vom Texanischen Label Duke-Peacock übernahm trotz der bestehenden Konkurrenz zu Ace die Promotion und das Tour-Management zur Vermarktung von Earls erstem Erfolgshit.[2] Dadurch wurde der Song ein vielgecoverter Standard. In den Charts musste sich die Originalversion sogleich gegen das Cover Johnny Guitar Watsons behaupten. Bei Ace veröffentlichte Earl King bis 1960 im Jahresrhythmus je eine Platte.
Mit dem Wechsel zu Imperial Records im Jahr 1960 verstärkte Earl King seine Aktivitäten im musikalischen Geschäft. In Zusammenarbeit mit den Produzenten Dave Bartholomew und Cosimo Matassa begann er, auch für andere Künstler zu komponieren, zu arrangieren und zu produzieren. Dabei betreute er für Imperial Huey Smith, Roland Stone und Jimmy Clanton, dessen Hit Just a Dream er schrieb. Zudem komponierte er Hum Diddy Doo und Teenage Love für Fats Domino sowie Do-Re-Mi für Lee Dorsey.[2]
Earl Kings erste eigene Single auf Imperial war Come On (and Let The Good Time Roll), von dem es Versionen von Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Fats Domino, Lee Dorsey und Dr. John gibt. 1962 sah Earl Kings neuen eigenen regionalen Hit Trick Bag, der zu einer inoffiziellen Erkennungsmelodie für die Stadt New Orleans wurde und den die Meters sowie Robert Palmer nachspielten. Im gleichen Jahr veröffentlichte Earl mit Always a First Time seinen zweiten Charthit, der in den R&B-Charts bis auf den 17. Platz rücken konnte. Ein geplanter Vertrag mit Motown Records scheiterte nur knapp.[5]
Um die Karriere von Professor Longhair neu anzustoßen, schrieb Earl King 1964 dem Piano-Veteran das Lied Big Chief, eine Hommage an Earls Mutter. Mit dem Co-Autor Dr. John an der Gitarre sang und pfiff der Autor zwei Tonspuren als Vorlage für eine spätere Bearbeitung durch Professor Longhair. Das Provisorium wurde aber für so gut befunden, dass die Spuren unverändert auf dem Original-Tonträger erhalten blieben. Durch die gut gelaunte, gepfiffenen Melodie wurde das Lied zu einer Mardi Gras-Hymne in New Orleans.[3]
Nachdem Earl King seine Aktivitäten einige Jahre zurückgefahren hatte, nahm er im Studio von Allen Toussaint sein erstes Album mit dem Titel Street Parade auf, welches zeitnah nur in Großbritannien erschien. Dennoch wurde der Titelsong erneut zu einem Faschingsstandard. Dabei blieb es für lange Zeit abgesehen von einigen Kompositionen und Beteiligungen an Compilations.[3]
Erst 1986 spielte er ein zweites Album namens Glazed für das Label Black Top Records ein. Bei den Aufnahmen wurde er von der Band Roomful of Blues begleitet. Das 1988 erschienene Album kam bei der Kritik gut an und wurde für einen Grammy nominiert. Earl King knüpfte an diesen Erfolg an, indem er 1990 das Album Sexual Thelepathy und 1993 das Album Hard River to Cross veröffentlichte. Beide Alben beinhalten mitunter Neueinspielungen alter Hits.
Trotz Beschwerden durch eine Zuckererkrankung tourte der Gitarrist die folgenden Jahre regelmäßig, weniger in seiner Heimat als im blues-begeisterten Japan. Am 17. April 2003 starb Earl King in einem New Orleanser Krankenhaus aufgrund Komplikationen mit seiner Krankheit. Er erhielt eine typisch kreolische Bestattung mit einer Straßenparade und Jazz-Marschmusik.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_King
Earl King - Seduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Mo2j3w0VM
Earl King (February 7, 1934 – April 17, 2003[1][2]) was an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter, most active in blues music. A composer of well known standards such as "Come On" (covered by Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan) and Professor Longhair's "Big Chief", he is an important figure in New Orleans R&B music.[3]
Biography
King was born Earl Silas Johnson IV[4] in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father, a local piano player, died when King was still a baby, and he was brought up by his mother.[4] With his mother, he started going to church at an early age. In his youth he sang gospel music, but took the advice of a friend to switch to blues to make a better living.
King started to play guitar at age 15. Soon he started entering talent contests at local clubs including the Dew Drop Inn. It was at one of those clubs where he met his idol Guitar Slim.[5] King started imitating Slim, and his presence gave a big impact on his musical directions. In 1954, when Slim was injured in an automobile accident (right around the time Slim had the #1 R&B hit with "The Things That I Used To Do"), King was deputized to continue Slim's band tour, representing himself as Slim. After succeeding in this role, King became a regular at the Dew Drop Inn.[5]
His first recording came in 1953. He released a 78 "Have you Gone Crazy" b/w "Begging at Your Mercy" on Savoy label as Earl Johnson.[4] The following year, talent scout Johnny Vincent introduced King to Specialty label,[3] and he recorded some sides including "Mother's Love" which created a little stir locally. In 1955, King signed with Johnny Vincent's label, Ace.[3] His first single from the label "Those Lonely, Lonely Nights" became a hit reaching #7 on the US Billboard R&B chart.[6] He continued to record during his five-year stay at the label, and during that time, he also he started writing songs for other artists such as Roland Stone and Jimmy Clanton.
In 1960, Dave Bartholomew invited King to record for the Imperial Records.[3] At the label, he was backed by host of musicians including Bob and George French, James Booker, and Wardell Quezergue. It was at this label he recorded his signature songs "Come On" and "Trick Bag".[3] The former of which remained a much covered standard for decades especially for Jimi Hendrix,[3] Stevie Ray Vaughan and Anson Funderburgh. The latter has also been widely covered including versions by The Meters and Robert Palmer.
King also co-wrote a number of songs with Bartholomew, either under his own name or under the pseudonyms of "Pearl King" and "E.C. King".[citation needed] One of the best known collaborations between Bartholomew and King is the rhythm and blues standard, "I Hear You Knocking", originally recorded in 1955. Another of the collaborations of the pair, this time in conjunction with Anita Steinman, is Elvis Presley's 1958 hit, "One Night". Both songs were variously credited as having been co-written by 'Pearl King' or 'E.C King', instead of Earl King.
King recorded for Imperial till 1963, but he went without a recording contract for the remainder of the 1960s. During this time, he mostly concentrated in producing and songwriting for local labels NOLA and Watch. His compositions from this era includes Professor Longhair's "Big Chief", Willie Tee's "Teasin' You", and Lee Dorsey's "Do-Re-Mi".[3] He also went to Detroit for an audition with Motown Records and recorded a few tracks in the mid 1960s. Three tracks from the session appeared on the Motown's Blue Evolution CD released in 1996.
In 1972, he was joined by Allen Toussaint and the Meters to record the album Street Parade. Though Atlantic initially showed interest in releasing it, they eventually declined. The title cut "Street Parade" was released as a single from Kansu label at the time, but the rest had to wait till 1982 to see the light of the day, when the album was finally released by Charly Records in the UK.
During the 1970s, he recorded another album That Good Old New Orleans Rock 'n Roll which was released by Sonet in 1977. He also appeared on the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 1976 album.
In the early 1980s, he also met Hammond Scott, co-owner of Black Top Records,[5] and started to record for the label.[3] The first album Glazed, backed up by Roomful of Blues was released in 1986, and a second album, Sexual Telepathy came in 1990. It featured Snooks Eaglin as a guest on two tracks, and also Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters backed him up on some tracks. His third from the label Hard River To Cross (1993) was backed by George Porter, Jr., David Torkanowsky, and Herman V. Ernest, III.
In 2001, he was hospitalized for an illness during a tour to New Zealand, however, that did not stop him from performing. In December of the same year, he toured Japan,[7] and he continued to perform off and on locally in New Orleans until his death.[3]
He died on April 17, 2003, from diabetes related complications,[8] just a week before the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. His funeral was held during the Festival period on April 30, and many musicians including Dr. John, Leo Nocentelli and Aaron Neville were in attendance.[5] His Imperial recordings, which have been long out-of-print, were reissued on CD soon after he died. The June 2003 issue of a local music magazine OffBeat paid a tribute to King by doing a series of special articles on him.
Biography
King was born Earl Silas Johnson IV[4] in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father, a local piano player, died when King was still a baby, and he was brought up by his mother.[4] With his mother, he started going to church at an early age. In his youth he sang gospel music, but took the advice of a friend to switch to blues to make a better living.
King started to play guitar at age 15. Soon he started entering talent contests at local clubs including the Dew Drop Inn. It was at one of those clubs where he met his idol Guitar Slim.[5] King started imitating Slim, and his presence gave a big impact on his musical directions. In 1954, when Slim was injured in an automobile accident (right around the time Slim had the #1 R&B hit with "The Things That I Used To Do"), King was deputized to continue Slim's band tour, representing himself as Slim. After succeeding in this role, King became a regular at the Dew Drop Inn.[5]
His first recording came in 1953. He released a 78 "Have you Gone Crazy" b/w "Begging at Your Mercy" on Savoy label as Earl Johnson.[4] The following year, talent scout Johnny Vincent introduced King to Specialty label,[3] and he recorded some sides including "Mother's Love" which created a little stir locally. In 1955, King signed with Johnny Vincent's label, Ace.[3] His first single from the label "Those Lonely, Lonely Nights" became a hit reaching #7 on the US Billboard R&B chart.[6] He continued to record during his five-year stay at the label, and during that time, he also he started writing songs for other artists such as Roland Stone and Jimmy Clanton.
In 1960, Dave Bartholomew invited King to record for the Imperial Records.[3] At the label, he was backed by host of musicians including Bob and George French, James Booker, and Wardell Quezergue. It was at this label he recorded his signature songs "Come On" and "Trick Bag".[3] The former of which remained a much covered standard for decades especially for Jimi Hendrix,[3] Stevie Ray Vaughan and Anson Funderburgh. The latter has also been widely covered including versions by The Meters and Robert Palmer.
King also co-wrote a number of songs with Bartholomew, either under his own name or under the pseudonyms of "Pearl King" and "E.C. King".[citation needed] One of the best known collaborations between Bartholomew and King is the rhythm and blues standard, "I Hear You Knocking", originally recorded in 1955. Another of the collaborations of the pair, this time in conjunction with Anita Steinman, is Elvis Presley's 1958 hit, "One Night". Both songs were variously credited as having been co-written by 'Pearl King' or 'E.C King', instead of Earl King.
King recorded for Imperial till 1963, but he went without a recording contract for the remainder of the 1960s. During this time, he mostly concentrated in producing and songwriting for local labels NOLA and Watch. His compositions from this era includes Professor Longhair's "Big Chief", Willie Tee's "Teasin' You", and Lee Dorsey's "Do-Re-Mi".[3] He also went to Detroit for an audition with Motown Records and recorded a few tracks in the mid 1960s. Three tracks from the session appeared on the Motown's Blue Evolution CD released in 1996.
In 1972, he was joined by Allen Toussaint and the Meters to record the album Street Parade. Though Atlantic initially showed interest in releasing it, they eventually declined. The title cut "Street Parade" was released as a single from Kansu label at the time, but the rest had to wait till 1982 to see the light of the day, when the album was finally released by Charly Records in the UK.
During the 1970s, he recorded another album That Good Old New Orleans Rock 'n Roll which was released by Sonet in 1977. He also appeared on the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 1976 album.
In the early 1980s, he also met Hammond Scott, co-owner of Black Top Records,[5] and started to record for the label.[3] The first album Glazed, backed up by Roomful of Blues was released in 1986, and a second album, Sexual Telepathy came in 1990. It featured Snooks Eaglin as a guest on two tracks, and also Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters backed him up on some tracks. His third from the label Hard River To Cross (1993) was backed by George Porter, Jr., David Torkanowsky, and Herman V. Ernest, III.
In 2001, he was hospitalized for an illness during a tour to New Zealand, however, that did not stop him from performing. In December of the same year, he toured Japan,[7] and he continued to perform off and on locally in New Orleans until his death.[3]
He died on April 17, 2003, from diabetes related complications,[8] just a week before the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. His funeral was held during the Festival period on April 30, and many musicians including Dr. John, Leo Nocentelli and Aaron Neville were in attendance.[5] His Imperial recordings, which have been long out-of-print, were reissued on CD soon after he died. The June 2003 issue of a local music magazine OffBeat paid a tribute to King by doing a series of special articles on him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Mo2j3w0VM
Earl King and Roomful of Blues
Eddie Cochran +17.04.1960
Eddie Cochran, (* 3. Oktober 1938 in Albert Lea, Minnesota als Ray Edward Cochrane; † 17. April 1960 in Bath) war ein US-amerikanischer Rock-’n’-Roll- und Rockabilly-Musiker.
Leben
Anfänge
Der Sänger und Gitarrist, der seit seinem zwölften Lebensjahr Gitarre spielte, begann seine Karriere 1954 als Teil der Cochran Brothers, war mit seinem Partner Hank Cochran aber nicht verwandt; vielmehr ließ er, um der zu dieser Zeit herrschenden Vorliebe für Hillbilly-Duos zu entsprechen, das „e“ im Nachnamen fallen. Ein Plattenvertrag mit der American Music Corporation führte 1955 zu ersten Single-Veröffentlichungen und Fernsehauftritten. Das Duo trennte sich 1956 und Cochran arbeitete fortan mit dem Komponisten Jerry Capehart zusammen.
Karriere
Erste Demoaufnahmen entstanden am 4. April 1956 in den Gold Star Studios von Hollywood, in denen später alle große Hits von Cochran produziert wurden. Nach Auftritten in den Filmen The Girl Can’t Help It (in dem er seinen berühmten Twenty Flight Rock präsentiert und der am 1. Dezember 1956 in die US-Kinos kam) und Untamed Youth (10. Mai 1957) hatte Eddie Cochran 1957 seinen ersten Chart-Erfolg mit dem Stück Sittin’ in the Balcony aus der Feder von John D. Loudermilk. Es folgte eine Australien-Tournee mit Gene Vincent und Little Richard. Seinen größten Hit hatte der Musiker 1958 mit Summertime Blues. Dieser Rock-Song über die Nöte eines US-Teenagers, der in den Sommerferien jobbt, das Auto seiner Eltern nicht benutzen darf und sich nach einem Urlaub sehnt, ist noch heute sehr bekannt, nicht nur weil er den „erotischsten aller Gitarren-Riffs“ (Crawdaddy) enthielt, sondern auch durch die zahlreichen Coverversionen anderer Bands, von denen besonders die von The Who, Blue Cheer und Stray Cats erwähnenswert sind. Es sind zwei Versionen der Eddie-Cochran-Fassung im Umlauf; eine mit richtigem und eine mit nachträglich geblendetem Ende.
Nach dem Tod von Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens und The Big Bopper 1959 nahm Cochran den Tribut-Song Three Stars auf, der allerdings erst nach seinem eigenen Tod veröffentlicht wurde.
Eddie Cochran verunglückte im April 1960 einen Tag nach dem Ende einer Tournee durch Großbritannien, die er zusammen mit seinem Freund Gene Vincent absolvierte, während einer Taxifahrt von Bristol nach London zwischen Bath und Chippenham (alte A4), als an dem Fahrzeug ein Reifen platzte und der Wagen gegen einen Laternenpfosten prallte. Er starb 16 Stunden nach dem Unfall an seinen Kopfverletzungen im St. Martins Hospital in Bath. Gene Vincent erlitt einen Schlüsselbeinbruch, mehrere Rippenbrüche und eine erneute Verletzung am Bein. Manager Pat Thomkins und der 19-jährige Taxifahrer blieben unverletzt. Cochrans Freundin Sharon Sheeley erlitt einen Beckenbruch. Der Polizeischüler Dave Dee nahm seinerzeit den Unfall auf. Am 25. April wurde der Musiker in Glendale (Kalifornien) beigesetzt. Der kurz zuvor aufgenommene Song mit dem tragisch-ironischen Titel Three Steps to Heaven wurde zu einem posthumen Nr.1-Hit in Großbritannien.
Seit Sid Vicious 1979 im Film The Great Rock ’n’ Roll Swindle Something Else und C’mon Everybody sang, gilt Eddie Cochran auch als ein früher Vorläufer des Punkrock. Bemerkenswert ist, dass eine treue Fangemeinde von Eddie Cochran bis heute immer noch „neue“ Veröffentlichungen erwarten kann. Weltweit werden in den Archiven von Aufnahmestudios oder Radio- und Fernsehstationen seit den frühen siebziger Jahren unveröffentlichte Aufnahmen aufgespürt und auf dem britischen Fan-Label „Rockstar Records“ publiziert.
1987 wurde Eddie Cochran in die Rock and Roll Hall of Fame aufgenommen.
Edward
Raymond 'Eddie' Cochran (October 3, 1938 – April 17, 1960) was an
American musician. Cochran's rockabilly songs, such as "C'mon
Everybody", "Somethin' Else", and "Summertime Blues", captured teenage
frustration and desire in the late 1950s and early 1960s.[1] He
experimented with multitrack recording and overdubbing even on his
earliest singles,[2] and was also able to play piano, bass and drums.[1]
His image as a sharply dressed and good-looking young man with a
rebellious attitude epitomized the stance of the 50s rocker, and in
death he achieved an iconic status.[3]
Cochran was born in Minnesota and moved with his family to California in the early 1950s. He was involved with music from an early age, playing in the school band and teaching himself to play blues guitar.[4] In 1955, he formed a duet with the guitarist Hank Cochran (no relation), and when they split the following year, Eddie began a song-writing career with Jerry Capehart. His first success came when he performed the song "Twenty Flight Rock" in the film The Girl Can't Help It, starring Jayne Mansfield. Soon afterwards, Liberty Records signed him to a recording contract.
Cochran died aged 21 after a road accident, while travelling in a taxi in Chippenham, Wiltshire, during his British tour in April 1960, having just performed at Bristol's Hippodrome theatre. Though his best-known songs were released during his lifetime, more of his songs were released posthumously. In 1987, Cochran was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His songs have been covered by a wide variety of recording artists (see the "Style and Influence" section of this article for examples).
Early life
Cochran was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, as Edward Raymond Cochran.[2] His parents were from Oklahoma, and he always said in interviews that he was from Oklahoma. He took music lessons in school but quit the band to play drums. Also, rather than taking piano lessons, he began learning guitar, playing the country music he heard on the radio.
Music career
Early career (1953–1956)
In 1953, Cochran's family moved to Bell Gardens, California. As his guitar playing improved, he formed a band with two friends from his junior high school. He dropped out of Bell Gardens High School in his first year to become a professional musician.[5] During a show featuring many performers at an American Legion hall, he met Hank Cochran (later a country music songwriter). Although they were not related, they recorded as The Cochran Brothers and began performing together.[6] They recorded a few singles from Ekko that were not successful but helped to establish them as a performing act. Eddie Cochran also worked as a session musician and began writing songs, making a "demo" with Jerry Capehart, his future manager. In July 1956, Eddie Cochran's first solo single was released on the Crest label.[7] It featured "Skinny Jim", now regarded as a rockabilly classic. In the summer of 1956, Boris Petroff asked Cochran if he would appear in the musical comedy film The Girl Can't Help It. He agreed and sang a song called "Twenty Flight Rock" that was featured in the movie.
Later career (1957–1960)
In 1957, Cochran starred in his second film, Untamed Youth, and also had his first hit, "Sittin' in the Balcony", one of the few songs he recorded that were written by other songwriters (in this case John D. Loudermilk). "Twenty Flight Rock" was written by AMI staff writer Ned Fairchild (a pen name, her real name is Nelda Fairchild). Fairchild, who was not a rock and roll performer, merely provided the initial form of the song, and the co-writing credit reflects Cochran's changes and contributions to the final product.
In November 1957, Liberty Records released Cochran's only album released during his lifetime, Singin' to My Baby. The album included Eddie's first hit "Sittin' in the Balcony". There were only a few rockers on this album, and Liberty seemed to want to move Cochran more into the pop music direction. In 1958, however, Cochran seemed to find his stride in the famous teenage anthem "Summertime Blues" (co-written with Jerry Capehart). With this song, Cochran was established as an important influence on music in the late 1950s, both lyrically and musically. The song, released on Liberty recording No. 55144, charted at No. 8 on August 25, 1958. Cochran's brief career included only a few more hits, such as "C'mon, Everybody", "Somethin' Else", "Teenage Heaven", and his posthumous UK number one hit "Three Steps to Heaven". Eddie Cochran remained popular in the UK throughout the 1960s and scored more posthumous hits such as "My Way", "Weekend" and "Nervous Breakdown".
Another aspect of Eddie's short but brilliant career is his work as backup musician and producer. He played guitar on tracks by Ray Stanley, Lee Denson, Baker Knight, Bob Denton, Galen Denny, Don Deal, Troyce Key, Mike Clifford, Paula Morgan, Jody Reynolds, Johnny Burnette, Wynn Stewart, Ernie Freeman, Elroy Peace, Derry Weaver, Eddie Daniels, Jewel Akens, John Ashley, Jack Lewis, Lynn Marshall, Jess Willard, the Holly Twins, Barry Martin and Al Casey.[7] In 1959 he played lead for Skeets McDonald at Columbia's studios for "You Oughta See Grandma Rock" and "Heart Breaking Mama". In a session for Gene Vincent in March 1958 he contributed his trademark low bass voice as heard on "Summertime Blues". The recordings were issued on the album A Gene Vincent Record Date.[8]
In early 1959, two of Cochran's friends, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, along with the Big Bopper, were killed in a plane crash while on tour. Eddie's friends and family later said that he was badly shaken by their deaths, and he developed a morbid premonition that he would also die young. It was shortly after their deaths that he wrote and recorded a tribute to them called "Three Stars". He was anxious to give up life on the road and spend his time in the studio making music, thereby reducing the chance of suffering a similar fatal accident while touring. However, financial responsibilities required that he continue to perform live, and that led to his acceptance of an offer to tour the United Kingdom in 1960.
UK tour and death
On Saturday, April 16, 1960, at about 11.50 p.m., while on tour in the United Kingdom, 21-year-old Cochran died as a result of a traffic accident in a taxi (a Ford Consul, not, as widely reported, a London hackney carriage) traveling through Chippenham, Wiltshire, on the A4. The speeding taxi blew a tire, lost control, and crashed into a lamp post on Rowden Hill, where a plaque now marks the spot. No other car was involved.[9] Cochran, who was seated in the center of the back seat, threw himself over his fiancée (songwriter Sharon Sheeley), to shield her, and was thrown out of the car when the door flew open. He was taken to St. Martin's Hospital, Bath, where he died at 4:10 p.m. the following day of severe head injuries.[10] Cochran's body was flown home and his remains were buried on April 25, 1960, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress, California.[11]
Sharon Sheeley and singer Gene Vincent survived the crash, Vincent sustaining lasting injuries to an already permanently damaged leg that would shorten his career and affect him for the rest of his life. The taxi driver, George Martin, was convicted of dangerous driving, fined £50, disqualified from driving for 15 years, and sentenced to prison for six months (although by some accounts he served no prison sentence).[12] His driving licence was reinstated in 1969. The car and other items from the crash were impounded at the local police station until a coroner's inquest could be held. David Harman, a police cadet at the station who would later become known as Dave Dee of the band Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, taught himself to play guitar on Cochran's impounded Gretsch.[13] Earlier in the tour, the same guitar had been carried to the car for Cochran by the 12-year-old Mark Feld, later known as Marc Bolan of T. Rex, who would himself die in a car crash in 1977.[14]
A memorial stone to commemorate Eddie Cochran can be found in the grounds of St Martin's Hospital in Bath.[15] The stone was restored in 2010 (on the 50th anniversary of his death) and can be found in the old chapel grounds at the Hospital. A memorial plaque can also be found next to the sundial at the back of the old chapel.[16]
Posthumous releases and honors
A posthumous album, My Way, was released in 1964.
Cochran was a prolific performer, and the British label Rockstar Records has released more of his music posthumously than had been released during his life. The company is still looking for unpublished songs.
One of his posthumous releases was "Three Stars", a tribute to J.P. Richardson, better known as the Big Bopper, and Eddie's friends Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, who had all died together in a plane crash just one year earlier. Written just hours after the tragedy by disc jockey Tommy Dee, it was recorded by Cochran two days later (Dee recorded his own version several weeks later). His voice broke during the spoken lyrics about Valens and Holly.
In 1987, Cochran was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[17] His pioneering contribution to the genre of rockabilly has also been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Several of his songs have been re-released since his death, such as "C'mon Everybody", which was a number 14 hit in 1988 in the UK. Rolling Stone ranked him number 84 on their 2003 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.
Cochran's life is chronicled in several publications, including Don't Forget Me—The Eddie Cochran Story, written by Julie Mundy and Darrel Higham (ISBN 0-8230-7931-7), and Three Steps to Heaven, written by Bobby Cochran (ISBN 0-634-03252-6).
On June 2, 2008, The Very Best of Eddie Cochran was released by EMI Records.
On September 27, 2010, the mayor of Bell Gardens, California, declared October 3, 2010, to be "Eddie Cochran Day" to celebrate the famous musician who began his career when living in that city.
Style and influence
One of the first rock and roll artists to write his own songs and overdub tracks, Cochran is credited also with being one of the first to use an unwound third string in order to "bend" notes up a whole tone—an innovation (imparted to UK guitarist Joe Brown, who secured much session work as a result) that has since become an essential part of the standard rock guitar vocabulary. Artists such as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, Tom Petty, Rod Stewart, Motörhead, Humble Pie, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, Lemmy Kilmister, the Head Cat, the Damned, UFO (band), T. Rex, Stray Cats, Brian Setzer, Cliff Richard, the Who, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, Blue Cheer, Led Zeppelin, the White Stripes, the Sex Pistols, Rush, Buck Owens, Tiger Army, Dion, Simple Minds, Guitar Wolf, Paul McCartney, Alan Jackson, the Move, Dick Dale, Teenage Head, Keith Richards & the X-Pensive Winos, and Jimi Hendrix have covered his songs.
It was because Paul McCartney knew the chords and words to "Twenty Flight Rock" that he became a member of the Beatles. John Lennon was so impressed that he invited Paul to play with his band the Quarrymen. Jimi Hendrix performed "Summertime Blues" early in his career, and Pete Townshend of the Who was heavily influenced by Cochran's guitar style ("Summertime Blues" was a Who live staple for most of their career until the death of bassist-vocalist John Entwistle in 2002, and is featured on their Live at Leeds album). Glam rock artist Marc Bolan had his main Les Paul model refinished in a transparent orange to resemble the Gretsch 6120 guitar played by Cochran, who was his music hero.[18] He was also a heavy influence on the nascent rockabilly guitar legend Brian Setzer from Stray Cats, who plays a 6120 almost like Cochran, whom he portrayed in the film La Bamba.
In 1988 "C'mon Everybody" was used by Levi Strauss & Co. in an advertisement to promote its 501 Jeans catalogue and re-released as a promotional single, hitting No. 14 in the UK charts. The advertisement told a story of how the narrator, Sharon Sheeley, attracted Cochran by wearing her 501s.
Guitars
When playing with Hank Cochran, Eddie Cochran played a Gibson L-4C archtop acoustic guitar with a florentine cutaway and a DeArmond 'Rhythm Chief' pickup, which can be clearly seen in the Cochran Brothers publicity photograph.
Later, Cochran moved to a 1955 Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins G-brand Western model, which Eddie had modified. He replaced the neck position De Armond Dynasonic pickup with a black covered Gibson P-90 pickup. He also used Martin acoustic guitars.
Cochran was born in Minnesota and moved with his family to California in the early 1950s. He was involved with music from an early age, playing in the school band and teaching himself to play blues guitar.[4] In 1955, he formed a duet with the guitarist Hank Cochran (no relation), and when they split the following year, Eddie began a song-writing career with Jerry Capehart. His first success came when he performed the song "Twenty Flight Rock" in the film The Girl Can't Help It, starring Jayne Mansfield. Soon afterwards, Liberty Records signed him to a recording contract.
Cochran died aged 21 after a road accident, while travelling in a taxi in Chippenham, Wiltshire, during his British tour in April 1960, having just performed at Bristol's Hippodrome theatre. Though his best-known songs were released during his lifetime, more of his songs were released posthumously. In 1987, Cochran was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His songs have been covered by a wide variety of recording artists (see the "Style and Influence" section of this article for examples).
Early life
Cochran was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, as Edward Raymond Cochran.[2] His parents were from Oklahoma, and he always said in interviews that he was from Oklahoma. He took music lessons in school but quit the band to play drums. Also, rather than taking piano lessons, he began learning guitar, playing the country music he heard on the radio.
Music career
Early career (1953–1956)
In 1953, Cochran's family moved to Bell Gardens, California. As his guitar playing improved, he formed a band with two friends from his junior high school. He dropped out of Bell Gardens High School in his first year to become a professional musician.[5] During a show featuring many performers at an American Legion hall, he met Hank Cochran (later a country music songwriter). Although they were not related, they recorded as The Cochran Brothers and began performing together.[6] They recorded a few singles from Ekko that were not successful but helped to establish them as a performing act. Eddie Cochran also worked as a session musician and began writing songs, making a "demo" with Jerry Capehart, his future manager. In July 1956, Eddie Cochran's first solo single was released on the Crest label.[7] It featured "Skinny Jim", now regarded as a rockabilly classic. In the summer of 1956, Boris Petroff asked Cochran if he would appear in the musical comedy film The Girl Can't Help It. He agreed and sang a song called "Twenty Flight Rock" that was featured in the movie.
Later career (1957–1960)
In 1957, Cochran starred in his second film, Untamed Youth, and also had his first hit, "Sittin' in the Balcony", one of the few songs he recorded that were written by other songwriters (in this case John D. Loudermilk). "Twenty Flight Rock" was written by AMI staff writer Ned Fairchild (a pen name, her real name is Nelda Fairchild). Fairchild, who was not a rock and roll performer, merely provided the initial form of the song, and the co-writing credit reflects Cochran's changes and contributions to the final product.
In November 1957, Liberty Records released Cochran's only album released during his lifetime, Singin' to My Baby. The album included Eddie's first hit "Sittin' in the Balcony". There were only a few rockers on this album, and Liberty seemed to want to move Cochran more into the pop music direction. In 1958, however, Cochran seemed to find his stride in the famous teenage anthem "Summertime Blues" (co-written with Jerry Capehart). With this song, Cochran was established as an important influence on music in the late 1950s, both lyrically and musically. The song, released on Liberty recording No. 55144, charted at No. 8 on August 25, 1958. Cochran's brief career included only a few more hits, such as "C'mon, Everybody", "Somethin' Else", "Teenage Heaven", and his posthumous UK number one hit "Three Steps to Heaven". Eddie Cochran remained popular in the UK throughout the 1960s and scored more posthumous hits such as "My Way", "Weekend" and "Nervous Breakdown".
Another aspect of Eddie's short but brilliant career is his work as backup musician and producer. He played guitar on tracks by Ray Stanley, Lee Denson, Baker Knight, Bob Denton, Galen Denny, Don Deal, Troyce Key, Mike Clifford, Paula Morgan, Jody Reynolds, Johnny Burnette, Wynn Stewart, Ernie Freeman, Elroy Peace, Derry Weaver, Eddie Daniels, Jewel Akens, John Ashley, Jack Lewis, Lynn Marshall, Jess Willard, the Holly Twins, Barry Martin and Al Casey.[7] In 1959 he played lead for Skeets McDonald at Columbia's studios for "You Oughta See Grandma Rock" and "Heart Breaking Mama". In a session for Gene Vincent in March 1958 he contributed his trademark low bass voice as heard on "Summertime Blues". The recordings were issued on the album A Gene Vincent Record Date.[8]
In early 1959, two of Cochran's friends, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, along with the Big Bopper, were killed in a plane crash while on tour. Eddie's friends and family later said that he was badly shaken by their deaths, and he developed a morbid premonition that he would also die young. It was shortly after their deaths that he wrote and recorded a tribute to them called "Three Stars". He was anxious to give up life on the road and spend his time in the studio making music, thereby reducing the chance of suffering a similar fatal accident while touring. However, financial responsibilities required that he continue to perform live, and that led to his acceptance of an offer to tour the United Kingdom in 1960.
UK tour and death
On Saturday, April 16, 1960, at about 11.50 p.m., while on tour in the United Kingdom, 21-year-old Cochran died as a result of a traffic accident in a taxi (a Ford Consul, not, as widely reported, a London hackney carriage) traveling through Chippenham, Wiltshire, on the A4. The speeding taxi blew a tire, lost control, and crashed into a lamp post on Rowden Hill, where a plaque now marks the spot. No other car was involved.[9] Cochran, who was seated in the center of the back seat, threw himself over his fiancée (songwriter Sharon Sheeley), to shield her, and was thrown out of the car when the door flew open. He was taken to St. Martin's Hospital, Bath, where he died at 4:10 p.m. the following day of severe head injuries.[10] Cochran's body was flown home and his remains were buried on April 25, 1960, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress, California.[11]
Sharon Sheeley and singer Gene Vincent survived the crash, Vincent sustaining lasting injuries to an already permanently damaged leg that would shorten his career and affect him for the rest of his life. The taxi driver, George Martin, was convicted of dangerous driving, fined £50, disqualified from driving for 15 years, and sentenced to prison for six months (although by some accounts he served no prison sentence).[12] His driving licence was reinstated in 1969. The car and other items from the crash were impounded at the local police station until a coroner's inquest could be held. David Harman, a police cadet at the station who would later become known as Dave Dee of the band Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, taught himself to play guitar on Cochran's impounded Gretsch.[13] Earlier in the tour, the same guitar had been carried to the car for Cochran by the 12-year-old Mark Feld, later known as Marc Bolan of T. Rex, who would himself die in a car crash in 1977.[14]
A memorial stone to commemorate Eddie Cochran can be found in the grounds of St Martin's Hospital in Bath.[15] The stone was restored in 2010 (on the 50th anniversary of his death) and can be found in the old chapel grounds at the Hospital. A memorial plaque can also be found next to the sundial at the back of the old chapel.[16]
Posthumous releases and honors
A posthumous album, My Way, was released in 1964.
Cochran was a prolific performer, and the British label Rockstar Records has released more of his music posthumously than had been released during his life. The company is still looking for unpublished songs.
One of his posthumous releases was "Three Stars", a tribute to J.P. Richardson, better known as the Big Bopper, and Eddie's friends Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, who had all died together in a plane crash just one year earlier. Written just hours after the tragedy by disc jockey Tommy Dee, it was recorded by Cochran two days later (Dee recorded his own version several weeks later). His voice broke during the spoken lyrics about Valens and Holly.
In 1987, Cochran was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[17] His pioneering contribution to the genre of rockabilly has also been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Several of his songs have been re-released since his death, such as "C'mon Everybody", which was a number 14 hit in 1988 in the UK. Rolling Stone ranked him number 84 on their 2003 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.
Cochran's life is chronicled in several publications, including Don't Forget Me—The Eddie Cochran Story, written by Julie Mundy and Darrel Higham (ISBN 0-8230-7931-7), and Three Steps to Heaven, written by Bobby Cochran (ISBN 0-634-03252-6).
On June 2, 2008, The Very Best of Eddie Cochran was released by EMI Records.
On September 27, 2010, the mayor of Bell Gardens, California, declared October 3, 2010, to be "Eddie Cochran Day" to celebrate the famous musician who began his career when living in that city.
Style and influence
One of the first rock and roll artists to write his own songs and overdub tracks, Cochran is credited also with being one of the first to use an unwound third string in order to "bend" notes up a whole tone—an innovation (imparted to UK guitarist Joe Brown, who secured much session work as a result) that has since become an essential part of the standard rock guitar vocabulary. Artists such as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, Tom Petty, Rod Stewart, Motörhead, Humble Pie, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, Lemmy Kilmister, the Head Cat, the Damned, UFO (band), T. Rex, Stray Cats, Brian Setzer, Cliff Richard, the Who, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, Blue Cheer, Led Zeppelin, the White Stripes, the Sex Pistols, Rush, Buck Owens, Tiger Army, Dion, Simple Minds, Guitar Wolf, Paul McCartney, Alan Jackson, the Move, Dick Dale, Teenage Head, Keith Richards & the X-Pensive Winos, and Jimi Hendrix have covered his songs.
It was because Paul McCartney knew the chords and words to "Twenty Flight Rock" that he became a member of the Beatles. John Lennon was so impressed that he invited Paul to play with his band the Quarrymen. Jimi Hendrix performed "Summertime Blues" early in his career, and Pete Townshend of the Who was heavily influenced by Cochran's guitar style ("Summertime Blues" was a Who live staple for most of their career until the death of bassist-vocalist John Entwistle in 2002, and is featured on their Live at Leeds album). Glam rock artist Marc Bolan had his main Les Paul model refinished in a transparent orange to resemble the Gretsch 6120 guitar played by Cochran, who was his music hero.[18] He was also a heavy influence on the nascent rockabilly guitar legend Brian Setzer from Stray Cats, who plays a 6120 almost like Cochran, whom he portrayed in the film La Bamba.
In 1988 "C'mon Everybody" was used by Levi Strauss & Co. in an advertisement to promote its 501 Jeans catalogue and re-released as a promotional single, hitting No. 14 in the UK charts. The advertisement told a story of how the narrator, Sharon Sheeley, attracted Cochran by wearing her 501s.
Guitars
When playing with Hank Cochran, Eddie Cochran played a Gibson L-4C archtop acoustic guitar with a florentine cutaway and a DeArmond 'Rhythm Chief' pickup, which can be clearly seen in the Cochran Brothers publicity photograph.
Later, Cochran moved to a 1955 Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins G-brand Western model, which Eddie had modified. He replaced the neck position De Armond Dynasonic pickup with a black covered Gibson P-90 pickup. He also used Martin acoustic guitars.
Eddie Cochran - Summertime Blues (Town Hall Party - 1959)
