D. Armenta
PlagmanWhat is Rockabilly music?
Rockabilly music incorporates the fast fingerpicking guitar and "slap" standup or string bass style of white American "Hillbilly" (country) music with black (African-based) Blues riffs and changes, Swing tempos, and "jump" Jazz.
This happy fusion came about sometime in the mid-1940s in the southern U.S., with Western Swing bands such as Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys coming east to play gigs on the Southern circuit. These bands traded licks and jammed with white Country artists and black Blues artists, Gospel artists and Boogie-Woogie bands backstage at places like the "Saturday Night Jamboree" stage shows in Memphis, Tennessee. Unlike many other aspects of American culture at the time, most musicians had no "color barrier" between each other and were always looking for new techniques, riffs, and styles from one another. The combination of different sounds from different cultures proved to be a hit and soon the term "Rockabilly" was born to describe the new musical mixture.
There have been many world-reknowned Rockabilly musicians, including Bill Haley and his Comets ("Rock around the Clock"), Elvis Presley ("Hound Dog", "That's Alright Mama", "Blue Suede Shoes", "Heartbreak Hotel"), Johnny Cash ("Folsom Prison Blues", "I walk the Line" "Burning Ring of Fire"), Chuck Berry, ("Maybellene", "Johnny B. Goode"), Jerry Lee Lewis ("Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On", "Great Balls of Fire"), and Buddy Holly and the Crickets ("That'll be the Day", "Peggy Sue") to mention a few.
Many Rockabilly standards were adapted versions of earlier Blues and Gospel songs written by black artists; for example "That's Alright Mama"--originally a Blues song by black artist "Big Boy" Crudup, and "Hound Dog"--a Blues song written by black female artist Big Mama Thornton in the early 40s.
The Rockabilly craze peaked in the U.S. in the early 1950s, the precursor to the soon-to-be-born style of Rock and Roll. The cultural impact of Rockabilly music, as well as the image and style associated with it, is due mostly to performers like the young Elvis Presley and actor James Dean--young, tough, good-looking rebels in leather jackets. "Pinup" models like Bettie Page characterised the Rockabilly "bad girl" who shunned the goody-goody image and wore tight skirts, stiletto heels and smoked cigarettes in public (gasp!)
According to Wikipedia,
The sound and the image of Rockabilly style are irresistably fun and still have many followers today; Rockabilly dresses are hot sellers at online shops such as Pinup Girl and Stop Staring.
Rockabilly bands like The Reverend Horton Heat and The Blasters as well as my own band, The Stingrays keep the sound alive today..here is an example of a rock standard that has been adapted to the Rockabilly style (yes, that's me playing drums and singing harmony). Note the intricate finger-picking style of the guitarist (John) and the steady, thumping country-influenced bassline by bassist Cameron. Can anyone recognise the tune?
This happy fusion came about sometime in the mid-1940s in the southern U.S., with Western Swing bands such as Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys coming east to play gigs on the Southern circuit. These bands traded licks and jammed with white Country artists and black Blues artists, Gospel artists and Boogie-Woogie bands backstage at places like the "Saturday Night Jamboree" stage shows in Memphis, Tennessee. Unlike many other aspects of American culture at the time, most musicians had no "color barrier" between each other and were always looking for new techniques, riffs, and styles from one another. The combination of different sounds from different cultures proved to be a hit and soon the term "Rockabilly" was born to describe the new musical mixture.
There have been many world-reknowned Rockabilly musicians, including Bill Haley and his Comets ("Rock around the Clock"), Elvis Presley ("Hound Dog", "That's Alright Mama", "Blue Suede Shoes", "Heartbreak Hotel"), Johnny Cash ("Folsom Prison Blues", "I walk the Line" "Burning Ring of Fire"), Chuck Berry, ("Maybellene", "Johnny B. Goode"), Jerry Lee Lewis ("Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On", "Great Balls of Fire"), and Buddy Holly and the Crickets ("That'll be the Day", "Peggy Sue") to mention a few.
Many Rockabilly standards were adapted versions of earlier Blues and Gospel songs written by black artists; for example "That's Alright Mama"--originally a Blues song by black artist "Big Boy" Crudup, and "Hound Dog"--a Blues song written by black female artist Big Mama Thornton in the early 40s.
The Rockabilly craze peaked in the U.S. in the early 1950s, the precursor to the soon-to-be-born style of Rock and Roll. The cultural impact of Rockabilly music, as well as the image and style associated with it, is due mostly to performers like the young Elvis Presley and actor James Dean--young, tough, good-looking rebels in leather jackets. "Pinup" models like Bettie Page characterised the Rockabilly "bad girl" who shunned the goody-goody image and wore tight skirts, stiletto heels and smoked cigarettes in public (gasp!)
According to Wikipedia,
"Rockabilly music cultivated an attitude that assured its enduring appeal to teenagers. This was a combination of rebellion, sexuality, and freedom—a sneering expression of disdain for the workaday world of parents and authority figures. It was the first rock ‘n’ roll style to be performed primarily by white musicians, thus setting off a cultural revolution that is still reverberating today."
The sound and the image of Rockabilly style are irresistably fun and still have many followers today; Rockabilly dresses are hot sellers at online shops such as Pinup Girl and Stop Staring.
Rockabilly bands like The Reverend Horton Heat and The Blasters as well as my own band, The Stingrays keep the sound alive today..here is an example of a rock standard that has been adapted to the Rockabilly style (yes, that's me playing drums and singing harmony). Note the intricate finger-picking style of the guitarist (John) and the steady, thumping country-influenced bassline by bassist Cameron. Can anyone recognise the tune?
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Yep, I'm having a great time..that was last night.
Well, you're just going to have to come to the Keys to visit again and I'll let you sit in on my drums!!
When are you touring Australia?
I'll come an see you play.
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I'm a big rockabilly fan and enjoyed the read.
Loved the clip, you got talent. (Not surprisingly)
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Lively, boppy music -- it got me tapping my fingers on the computer table.
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JD--Thanks! Should have known you'd be a Rockabilly fan, hahaha! Your profile photo looks just like a rockabilly cat...
Tracy and Eva W.--Thanks!
Anyone recognise the tune yet?
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Well that's Psychobilly.
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BTW the tune is Queen =)
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I love Rockabilly and you look like you're wnjoying it too... way to go!
I have to agree with the others, you have talent.... count me in on seeing you play in Oz when you get here
Yep, it's Queen... and I love what you've done to it, way cool.
Lilla ...
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Thanks for stopping by, Rosemary!
Garrett, try The Reverend Horton Heat (Martini Time, Big Little Baby), The Blasters(Pretty Kitty), or The Belmont Playboys ; all good modern Rockabilly bands. You can find samples on Napster or music-sharing sites.
Thanks Lilla! I love my job. The prize goes to you and Garrett: It's Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls".
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The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan