Wild Wayne says its this Fats Domino song from December 10, 1949.
I go with "ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK."
What do you think?
FB
It's been a debate for as long as rock and roll music has existed ... and all of those titles are good candidates (although I'd have to say that I've seen "The Fat Man" credited least out of these choices.)
As you can imagine, we've covered the opinions of our readers numerous times over the years here in Forgotten Hits, making cases for these and many other deserving tracks along the way.
The term Rock and Roll was euphemism for sex ... black slang, if you will. There was rockin' and rollin' goin' on LONG before people came up with the music to play along as the soundtrack! (And long before DJ Alan Freed supposedly coined the phrase.)
You've got to remember that Rock And Roll Music was actually a hybrid of Rhythm and Blues (Soul Music, or Race Music as it was called at the time, which itself sprang from Gospel) and Hillbilly / Country and Western. Early rock and roll artists added an extra kick, a growl and perhaps a hips swivel, and pretty soon it became the music of the younger generation.
"Rocket 88" came out in 1951 and topped Billboard's R&B Best Sellers List for nine weeks. "Gee" wasn't released until 1954. And how about The Dominoes' "Sixty-Minute Man," also from 1951 ... by 1951 standards, these lyrics were just as shocking and controversial as some of the rap music we're subjected to today ... it all boils down to sex. (And who doesn't like sex???) The key to a successful fad is finding something that most people can relate to ... and this one is universal.
But before ANY of those tunes, Wynonie Harris was already singing about "Good Rockin' Tonight" in 1948, which even predates Wild Wayne's Fats Domino suggestion.
We've already explored how artists like Kay Starr (of all people!) had the first #1 Hit with the words "Rock And Roll" in the title when her "Rock And Roll Waltz" topped the charts at the start of 1956. And Etta James was making her point a full year earlier with "The Wallflower," featuring a chorus that begged "Roll with me, Henry" ... pretty bold for its time ... and damn near twenty years before Helen Reddy roared "I Am Woman!"
When Forgotten Hits first launched in 1999, we ran excerpts from a series written by Ed Parker (many of you old timers know him and remember him as JacoFan) tracing rock and roll back to its true roots. (Usually when you listen to a radio program, produced to reach and appeal to a mass audience with the most common denominator, you're pretty much confined to primarily only hearing the biggest hits or key tracks and artists of any particular era. Thus, programs like The History Of Rock And Roll, profiling the most popular songs and artists of the rock era in both a year-by-year and key artists fashion, and Bob Stroud's Rock And Roll Roots, covering primarily the music of the '60's and '70's, by which time we were already 10+ years into the evolution of rock, serve their purpose and present very entertaining and enlightening programming) ... but Parker's series dug deep ... REAL deep ... into the evolution and TRUE roots of rock and roll, finding popular tendencies, phrases and familiar traits dating all the way back to the 1920's and, in some cases, the late 1800's! Heck, he even exposed a few signature, trademark licks, long believed to have originated thru the genius of Chuck Berry, that other artists were already playing note-for-note some ten years earlier!) It was a VERY eye-opening series ... but its appeal was limited to only the most die-hard fans looking to take that long trip back and research the evolution of rock and roll ... and all the other musical genres it passed through along the way.)
That's why it's just easier to accept somebody as commercial and well-loved as Chuck Berry as The Godfather of Rock And Roll and Elvis Presley as, if not the inventor, then certainly the KING (and poster child) of Rock And Roll Music.
Most research books I've seen over the past fifty years cite the appearance of "Rock Around The Clock" in the motion picture "Blackboard Jungle" as the catalyst that launched rock and roll for all the world to see. (Ironically, Bill Haley and the Comets had actually recorded the song a year earlier and it did absolutely nothing ... nobody even noticed ... but once the film came out, music was never the same again ... and then rock and roll had to change its "juvenile delinquent" reputation!) This song ushered in The Rock Era and turned the world on its ear. Yes, there were rock and roll songs before it ... but nobody knew how to classify them as such at the time ... and they certainly never reached the audience that this one single song did ... around the world.
As such, it HAS to be considered the ANTHEM of Rock And Roll ... or, at the very least, its Theme Song. Technically, it may not be the very first rock and roll song ... but its the one that ignited the "fad" that was supposed to burn out some 65+ years ago now. (Then why are we all still here writing and reading about it today?!?!)
Haley didn't have the poster boy good looks of an Elvis Presley so he was quickly elevated to Teen Idol status as soon as his first RCA records began to hit the charts. (The earlier Sun material, good as it was, never reached the audience to do so ... yet today, tracks like "That's All Right, Mama" rank right up there with the very best in rock and roll history ... and it never even charted!!!) Before you could blink, Elvis was on the cover of every teenage magazine on the market. (Similarly, look at all those early Beatles singles released in 1963 that couldn't even turn a head before "I Want To Hold Your Hand" exploded in '64, changing the music scene forever.)
So many other heroes followed ... and SO many great songs that took rock and roll in so many other directions ... but if you're going to pin me down to naming the record that started it all, that would have to be, hands down, all in, final answer, "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets. (kk)
Ray Davies of The Kinks flies round trip from America to England (nearly 7000 miles) to re-record the words “cherry cola” in the song “Lola” because the BBC refused to play it with its original words, “Coca-Cola.”Was it worth it?“Lola” became The Kinks’ first Top Ten Record in five years!
Also on this date, the live album “Band Of Gypsies” earns Jimi Hendrix another gold record.
And, of course, we all remember that it was the 3rd of June ... another sleepy, dusty, Delta day ... when Billie Joe McAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge ... just four years earlier.
Much is being said about Black Out Tuesday being instituted today … a number of streaming services (both music, cable and otherwise) are taking part and while we’re not unsympathetic to the cause, we’ve simply got too much news to share to fall any further behind than we already are!
Please understand that this does not mean we condone ANYTHING that has happened of late … the fact that there is MUCH wrong with our world here today is indisputable ... but the “solution” being offered by a much of maniacs taking over the streets solves absolutely nothing … nor will it change what it really wrong with our system the way it currently stands.
Without question, incident after incident after incident DEMANDS that we must police our police … they are NOT above the law and should NOT be given lesser sentences and punishments than anyone else breaking the law or causing harm to others ... but breaking windows and stealing television sets will not make that happen. Nor will bringing physical harm to others as a means of saying the world is too violent today. Violence begets violence ... stupidity begets stupidity.
Most of us connected with Forgotten Hits have already lived thru a series of riots in the streets over our many years on this earth … and we have also seen no good from any one of them. Protesting is one thing … and demanding change is a necessity … but rioting and tearing down cities is hardly the solution to fixing anything … (like we all don’t already have enough on our plates right now.)We’re in the middle of a pandemic, people … and now all of this?
There are other ways to express your opinions and concerns … doing millions of dollars of damage doesn’t change anything … it doesn’t bring anybody back … and, in fact, in many cases it has the opposite effect of what the goal is SUPPOSED to be. Rather than helping to change the way people think, it is instead taking ALL of the focus off of the REAL issue here and putting it squarely on all the maniacs out there hell-bent on destruction. (I left out hatred begets hatred earlier.)
Have we not learned anything in all the years of rioting this country has experienced?Or do some of you out there REALLY view this as “The American Way”?Because it SURE paints a pretty sad picture of us to the rest of the world.(kk)
[This concludes the political portion of today’s program … now back to the music … which is why we’re all here anyway!]
REMINDER:If you happen to have some free time this afternoon from Noon – 2 pm (Chicago time), why not switch on Sam Tallerico’s new “Darin To Be Different” radio program on WVKR?
Sam’s promising to do a couple of hours of music that you don’t typically hear on the radio these days, including a special feature spotlighting some of the great topics and artists that have come up in Forgotten Hits lately!
Here he is in his own words, explaining things a bit further …
Kent,
There's been so many great items in Forgotten Hits lately, I'm finding it imperative to bring them to the attention of listeners to my Lost And Found Oldies Show. But no time. That's why I'm adding an extra program I'm calling "Darin To Be Different" Tuesdays 1-3 pm (Eastern) onhttp://www.wvkr.org .
This Tuesday, I'll be sharing my thoughts about the new Explorers Club release, Ron Dante's upcoming compilation, Goldmine's Micky Dolenz interview, and OMG, people NEED to know about Mike Masse’ -- especially his duets with Sterling Cottam! Thanks to your daughter for turning us on this amazing musician. And thank YOU for Forgotten Hits!
Sam Tallerico
And, talking about cool new stuff, did you happen to watch Part One of the Laurel Canyon documentary Sunday Night?Absolutely outstanding … blows Echoes Of The Canyon away in EVERY possible way.
MUCH better footage (most of it never seen by any of us before), incredible music and music clips (again, much of which is airing for the very first time) … far more enlightening interviews … just an OUTSTANDING documentary in every fashion.(Part 2 airs next Sunday evening, June 7th, on EPIX.)
We also were able to catch a live Linda Ronstadt concert from 1980 on PBS before the Laurel Canyon documentary premiered.(Check your local listings for this one as PBS broadcasts at different times in different cities.)
Linda is in FINE voice and looks amazing as she runs thru quite a few of her hits and key album tracks.(This was filmed in Hollywood right around the time of her “Get Closer” album, which brought a harder, punkier edge to her music … her young band is in fine form as well … and what a hoot seeing a 40 years younger Peter Asher helping out on background vocals and percussion instruments!)Watch for this one.(It is also available as a live CD)kk
Ironically, shortly after putting together my my little mini rave review heaping praise upon the new Laurel Canyon documentary (which features contributions, by the way, from Forgotten Hits Readers Harvey Kubernik and Gary Stobl, a long time friend), I happened to get THIS email from that very same Gary Stobl!!!
Hello Kent,
How are you?
We are indeed living in an episode of The Twilight Zone.
I wish my friend Bill Mumy would wish COVID-19, racism, hatred, violence and chaos into the cornfield.
On a lighter note, it was 50 years ago today that Micky Dolenz came to do a play, right there in St. Charles, Illinois!
Here is an excerpt to my forthcoming book on the original phenomenon of The Monkees, hopefully scheduled to be released in 2021.
I hope everybody had a chance to see Part One of Laurel Canyon: A Place In Time on the EPIX channel.Henry Diltz and I would love to hear your comments.
Kent, thank you for everything you do!
Stay healthy and keep away from the danger zones!
Hope In My Heart,
Gary
Good news for all you American Bandstand / Cameo-Parkway fans out there.ABKCO has just announced that they’ll be dipping into the Cameo-Parkway vaults once again for three brand-new releases, all coming your way on June 19th.
Bob Merlis tells us all the details:
ABKCO CELEBRATES THE LEGENDARY CAMEO PARKWAY LABEL WITH NEW CURATED SETS TO BE RELEASED JUNE 19TH ON ALL DIGITAL PLATFORMS:
DANCIN’ PARTY: THE CHUBBY CHECKER COLLECTION 1960 – 1966
YOU CAN’T SIT DOWN: CAMEO PARKWAY DANCE CRAZES 1958 – 1964
YOU GOT THE POWER: CAMEO PARKWAY NORTHERN SOUL 1964 – 1967
ABKCO Records has announced a new three-part series curated from the Cameo Parkway archives with the June 19th release of three dance-oriented compilations that underscore the legacy of Philadelphia’s legendary label. The announcement comes on the anniversary of Chubby Checker’s “Let’s Twist Again” having been awarded the 1961 GRAMMY® for Best Rock & Roll Recording. Dancin’ Party: The Chubby Checker Collection 1960 – 1966 is a definitive set of tunes from his career defining period. The second set, titled You Can’t Sit Down: Cameo Parkway Dance Crazes 1958 – 1964 is a collection of the label’s most notable dance releases of the period. The third set, You Got The Power: Cameo Parkway Northern Soul 1964 – 1967, consists of tracks famously embraced by the UK’s iconic Northern Soul movement.
Philadelphia-based Cameo Records was founded in late 1956 by Bernie Lowe and Kal Mann, budding songwriters who would later find success with Elvis Presley's recording of their composition “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear.” Another Lowe & Mann composition would soon become Cameo’s first hit when “Butterfly,” a rockabilly-tinged smash for South Philadelphia native Charlie Gracie, hit #1 on the pop charts. In 1958 the Parkway label was added and by 1959 both labels began to emerge as industry powerhouses with hits from Bobby Rydell and Chubby Checker, whose version of “The Twist” catalyzed a social upheaval, not to mention massive record sales.
Concurrent with the success of “The Twist,” Cameo Parkway became one of the industry’s most successful independent companies, on par with Motown’s rise later that decade. By late 1961, Cameo Parkway Records performance was so consistently strong that ownership took the company public; it became the first independent record label to offer shares on the American Stock Exchange. In all, during its roughly 11-year existence, the company placed more than one hundred singles and several dozen albums onto the Billboard charts.
Though somewhat removed from the pop industry centers of New York and Hollywood, Cameo Parkway’s locale proved to a be a boon to exposure insofar as Philadelphia was the home of American Bandstand. The hugely popular weekday afternoon teen dance program, initially hosted by local DJ Bob Horn and ultimately by Dick Clark, proved to be a powerful launching pad for many artists affiliated with Cameo and Parkway. With Clark at the helm from 1956 onward, the show went national and Bandstand, Dick Clark and numerous Cameo Parkway artists became household names throughout the country. Charlie Gracie recalls, “Going on Bandstand was like hitting a home run with the bases loaded.” Notes legendary Philadelphia DJ Jerry “The Geator” Blavat, “The importance of Cameo Parkway was the importance of Bandstand. It was the label that created all the dances. You look at Cameo Parkway’s success and look at Bandstand and there it is.”
ABKCO’s June 19 Cameo Parkway Releases:
Dancin’ Party - The Chubby Checker Collection: 1960 1966
Chubby Checker, proved to be the single most successful component of the Cameo Parkway artist roster. Beyond “The Twist” and “Let’s Twist Again,” he scored numerous successes, most of which were keyed to dance moves and good times. He recorded numerous dance floor fillers and secured impressive chart successes. Twenty-one of Checker’s recordings are featured in the forthcoming Dancin’ Party: The Chubby Checker Collection: 1960 – 1966. This definitive collection highlights seventeen Top 40 hits of which twelve entered the Top 20; seven charted in the Top 10 with two ultimately reaching the #1 spot.
You Can't Sit Down: Cameo Parkway Dance Crazes 1958-1964
You Can't Sit Down: Cameo Parkway Dance Crazes 1958 -1964, features recordings with a corresponding dance to go along with each catchy tune. Artists like Bobby Rydell, The Orlons, The Dovells, Dee Dee Sharp, The Applejacks along with Chubby Checker are featured in this collection. Seven Top 10 hits including The Orlons’, “The Wah-Watusi,” Dee Dee Sharp’s “Mashed Potato Time,” two iconic numbers by The Dovells: “Bristol Stomp” and “You Can’t Sit Down,” plus “Slow Twistin’” by Chubby Checker and Dee Dee Sharp, Bobby Rydell’s “The Cha-Cha-Cha” and sixteen more hits dedicated to get even the wallflowers moving.
1. The Twist - Chubby Checker
2. The Wah-Watusi - The Orlons
3. Bristol Stomp - The Dovells
4. Mashed Potato Time - Dee Dee Sharp
5. You Can't Sit Down - The Dovells
6. The Third House (In From The Right) - Bobby Rydell
You Got The Power: Cameo Parkway Northern Soul 1964-1967
You Got The Power: Cameo Parkway Northern Soul 1964 -1967, showcases the numerous Cameo Parkway singles that would go on to become part of the soundtrack of Britain’s Northern Soul lifestyle phenomenon. Northern Soul’s emphasis was on obscure yet danceable records, a number of which became the focus of a cult-like worship years after they were first issued, partially due to the rarity of the 45s on vinyl. Recordings by Frankie Beverly & The Butlers, Bunny Sigler, The Orlons, Evie Sands, Candy and the Kisses, Christine Cooper and Eddie Holman are highlights of the 20-track collection.
1.You Got The Power - The Four Exceptions
2.Because Of My Heart - Frankie Beverly & The Butlers
3.(Whoa, Whoa) I Love Him So - Nikki Blu
4.Girl Don't Make Me Wait - Bunny Sigler
5.It's Rough Out There - Jerry Jackson
6.Envy (In My Eyes) - The Orlons
7.Picture Me Gone - Evie Sands
8.Country Girl - Vickie Baines
9.Night Owl - Bobby Paris
10.Village Of Tears - Ben Zine
11.You Just Don't Know (What You Do To Me) - Chubby Checker
12.The 81 - Candy And The Kisses
13.Shake And Shingaling (Pt. 1) - Gene Waiters
14.S.O.S. (Heart In Distress) - Christine Cooper
15.Eddie's My Name - Eddie Holman
16.Pass Me By - Hattie Winston
17.The Grass (Will Sing For You) - Lonnie Youngblood
18.(Your Love Was Just A) False Alarm - Tari Stevens
I just wanted to follow up with you regarding the New Colony Six and the question of their being at the Kickapoo Creek festival. I mentioned in my earlier email that the third photo under Group Shots in your post was the NC6. Here is what I am basing it on:
Attached is a photo that was posted on Facebook asking for information about the band. The second photo is a screenshot of the comments that include one from Bruce Gordon, claiming it is the New Colony Six, and he gives details about who was all in the band at that point. (Pat McBride, Ronnie Rice, Bruce Gordon, Chuck Jobes, Billy Herman and Gerry Van Kollenburg). I'm not on Facebook … these were forwarded to me recently, so I don't have any more details.That said, I am taking Bruce Gordon at his word that NC6 was there.
I had posted to INCIDENT AT KICKAPOO CREEK on May 9th but I don't see in on the page (???)I got several responses to it, including one from Karen Dodge.
The New Colony Six played sometime mid-day from a gig the night before. In that top photo, Ronnie Rice is on the left, that’s me in the middle and Pat McBride is on the right. Also in the band were Gerry Van Kollenburg and Billy Herman (not seen) and Chuck Jobes (seen under Ronnie's right arm!) We came in on our tour bus and were treated very nicely. A great time.
Bruce
>>>Doesn’t this remind you of The Buckinghams?This is one of The Explorers Club originals, but the influence is apparent and terrific. Check it out.(Bob Merlis)
I sent advance copies of this to both Carli Giammarese and Dennis Tufano, original members of The Buckinghams, to get their reaction … and have already received this back from Carl …
Kent,
Yes it does. Wow, it’s definitely a take on the beginning of “Don’t You Care.” Who are these guys? This can’t be someone current.
Carl
The Buckinghams
Actually, this is a brand new track … officially being released this week … by The Explorers Club.(Some REALLY good stuff and very “vintage” sounding.)They've got a few albums out ... most recently one featuring covers of several '60's tunes ... oddly, nothing by The Buckinghams ... but this brand new original certainly shows the influence! Good stuff ... check out THE EXPLORERS CLUB on YouTube ... some good stuff!
Interesting, I’ll have to check them out. Thanks.
By the way, love the video with Flo and Eddie with David Cassidy.
Carl
It totally cracked me up!Cassidy had a hit with “Darlin’” in the UK … but I just LOVE the dance moves these guys are doing … obviously not taking anything too seriously!(lol)Had to run it as soon as I discovered it.(Wonder if they even remember!!!Sent a link to both Howard and Mark)kk
And, speaking of Flo and Eddie, we got this from Clark Besch after he saw the clip we ran the other day ...
Here's a clip from an old BETA recording I made from the Garry Shandling Show in 1988 or so. Is it better than the Cassidy one? At first, Flo & Eddie sing to supposedly Garry Shandling's dance girl mom!
Clark Besch
Kent,
The name of Grady Martin and his guitar was mentioned during today's listing of FH. I knew it charted here in 1961 but couldn't remember how well it did. THE FUZZ made its weekly survey debut for the week of February 23, 1961, in song position #44. That was from a list of 50 records listed. For the week of March 9, 1961, it peaked at #27 before falling off the survey. Flip was called TIPPIN' IN
Larry
Well, it definitely performed better in Oklahoma City than it did nationally, where it peaked at #120 … and only on the Cash Box Chart.A follow-up release (shown as by Grady Martin and His Guitar), “Down The River Of Golden Dreams,” went to #137 in Music Vendor.His other two chart hits both made The Top 100 in Music Vendor only … “Hot Lips” (#72, 1955) and “Don’t Take Your Love From Me” (#81, 1956).kk
Hi Kent,
Thanks for telling your readers about the guitar fuzztones utilized by Davie Allan and the Arrows, beginning in the late 60’s. I did some research on the history of the fuzz guitar sound. It is really quite fascinating and it even predates the 60’s.
The publication Audiofanzine did a comprehensive article on the subject in 2017. Some musicians, including Chuck Berry, experimented with distorted guitar amp sounds back in the 50’s. There are even some examples from the late 40’s. But the marketing of the fuzz guitar pedal did, in fact, begin as a result of the faulty mixer connected to Grady Martin's guitar at the 1961 Marty Robbins recording session. The Gibson Guitar Corp. sold it as the Maestro FZ1 Fuzztone, starting in 1962. An earlier model from 61, called the Red Rhodes, was never mass-produced.
As interesting as the Audiofanzine article is, the young 32 year old writer failed to even mention Davie Allan! Allan's pioneering work with fuzz guitar tones elevated it from early mainstream rock to the heavier guitar sounds of classic rock.
Davie Allan‘s fuzz pedal model of choice in his early days was the Mosrite Fuzzrite, introduced in 1966. He used it on his early recordings, such as “Blue’s Theme,” from the film “The Wild Angels.”You can also hear the Fuzzrite on the Iron Butterfly’s classic song, “In a Gadda Da Vida.”
In a 2016 interview with the web publication Ultimate Guitar.com, Davie Allan mentioned that his first recollection of hearing the fuzz guitar sound was on the 1961 Marty Robbins recording, “Don't Worry.”
Below is the Audiofanzine article on the history of the guitar fuzztone. Below that is the Ultimate Guitar.com interview with Davie Allen: https://en.audiofanzine.com/fuzz-pedal/editorial/articles/legends-the-history-of-the-great-fuzz-pedals.html
