Twanging Tuesdsay # 28

In this series I featured many artists from the Rock ‘n’ Roll era but I never mentioned Elvis Presley. I was never a big fan of him and his music and when I remember him I have still the picture in my head when he appeared in Las Vegas as a clown. If you maybe remind these pictures it was often forgotten what he made when he recorded his first songs for the Sun label. These songs are still great and sometimes very raw. They were very new for these times and showed us all a new way music could be. Based on simple country music and added the spirit of black peoples blues he made something great. I can remember when I was a young kid my parents watched Elvis’ comeback. Dressed in black leather he played an acoustic set with his well known songs. This was very new for my kids ears but I saw the first concert – even as it was only on TV.

Elvis Presley – That’s Alright Mama

Twanging Tuesday # 15

Todays track come from another Memphis bound musician – Johnny Burnett. Grown up with Elvis he wanted to start a career as boxing professional but gave it up after his first fight and a broken nose. Together with his brother he formed a band that became later The Rock and Roll Trio. He will not be forgotten with Only Sixteen that got him in the top-ten of the charts and was covered by many artists along the years. His son Rocky Burnett had also success in the early 80s with his top-ten hit Tired of Toeing the Line. 

Johnny Burnett – Tear It Up

And as a bonus a rare performance in American TV:

Twanging Tuesday # 7

Impressed by the music of Gene Vincent and Elvis Presley Vince Taylor started to sing. With his brother in law he came to England for a business trip. He met there the other musicians  to form the Playboys. His first single records Pledging my love and Brand New Cadillac weren’t big successful. He was famous for his outfit dressed full in black leather and crazy wild live shows. Using drugs and his extrovert life-style ruined his career. He would be presumably forgotten, if The Clash did not have covered his song on London Calling. His legacy was his great influence to Glam Rock an Punk with his outfit and his wild shows (remember Gary Glitter and Alvin Stardust)

Vince Taylor – Brand New Cadillac

Twanging Tuesday # 3

Today’s song is from another sun record artist. Barely known by his hit single ‘Rocking Little Angel’. Smith often recorded material written by Charlie Rich and was heavily influenced by Elvis Presley. He committed suicide in 1979 at the age of 45.

Ray Smith – Rocking Little Angel