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Chuck
Berry
Chuck Berry probably should have been the king of rock & roll, with
his original guitar licks and an insinuating voice that made a routine
school day sound sexy. Trouble with the law kept Chuck off the charts
after a string of hits, but he endures as an icon of early rock &
roll. Click for our tribute to Chuck, including a 75th birthday photo.
Dick's Chuck Berry Tribute
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Johnny Cash
Johnny
Cash was always country, always rock & roll, always
impossible to categorize and hard to pin down. No one on this page
had a longer career when it comes to chart popularity. Anytime you
thought he was no longer relevant, he reinvented himself. Although
he's gone from the earth, it seems likely that our great great
grandchildren will still listen to Johnny Cash. Meanwhile, we can
enjoy Joaquin Phoenix' performance as Cash in "Walk the
Line."
Official
Johnny Cash Site
Walk the Line |
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Sonny Curtis
Most people have not heard of this artist, but millions around the
world have heard him sing. Sonny Curtis wrote and performed "Love Is All
Around," the theme to The
Mary Tyler Moore Show.
He performed with Buddy Holley before his days of fame, and joined The
Crickets after Buddy’s death. His greatest success came as a songwriter.
He wrote "I Fought the Law," a big hit for the Bobby Fuller
Four, and also recorded by The Clash, Hank Williams Jr. and many others.
All Music Guide categorizes Sonny Curtis as "traditional
country," which is certainly debatable.
Official
Sonny
Curtis Site |
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Fats Domino
Fats
Domino
was an unlikely teen idol, really a New Orleans Rhythm and Blues
crooner who captured the hearts of America. His reworking of old standards
("My Happiness," "Blueberry Hill"), and his dozens of originals, like
"Ain't
That a Shame" and "Walkin' to New Orleans," gave him a string of top ten hits
that lasted through the early rock & roll years.
Dick's Fats Domino Tribute Page |
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Everly Brothers
Rockers didn’t think country was cool—until they heard the
Everly Brothers. Phil and Don put a couple dozen great songs on the charts in the
50’s and 60’s; and reunited in the 80’s to bring us some more of
that great harmony. Click on the link for pictures, links and more.
Dick's Everly Brothers Tribute Page |
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Buddy Holly
Nearly fifty
years after his death, with a miniscule two year recording career, Buddy Holly's
legacy seems secure. Members of the Crickets sustained a
lifetime career on the strength of their association with Holly.
He's been honored with a tribute CD, "Not Fade Away" and those of us who came
of age to the sounds of "Peggy Sue" and "That'll Be
the Day" will never forget him. The biopic, "The Buddy
Holly Story," captures a little of the excitement of those
times.
Dick's Buddy Holly Tribute Page
The Buddy Holly Story |
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Jerry Lee Lewis
When he was
just starting out, Jerry Lee Lewis' bible belt relatives
warned him that he was headed straight to hell. Jerry Lee's attitude
seemed to be, "If that's what it takes..." He took us
along on a crazy ride starting with "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin'
On," and we officially declare him the Wild Man of Rock &
Roll. When he slipped off the rock charts, he drew on his rural
roots to forge a long and successful career in country music. You
can't see his youthful antics anymore, but Dennis Quaid gives a
memorable recreation in the biopic "Great Balls of Fire."
Great Balls of Fire
History of Rock
& Roll
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Little Richard
Little Richard declared that he
was the King of Rock & Roll (it was really Chuck Berry). But
despite an ego as big as his voice, Richard Penniman was responsible for some of the
most powerful and solid rock and roll ever made. You can hear his early
work in such films as "The Girl Can't Help It."
Dick's Little Richard Tribute Page
The Girl Can't Help It |
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Carl Perkins
"Well
it's one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, now go
cat go!" Can anyone deny the depth of emotion in those lyrics?
No matter, they captivated us back in the 1950s, and launched a
lifelong career for Carl Perkins. Although he was virtually a
one-hit artist, he continued to perform and was recognized as a
rock & roll pioneer. His signature hit, "Blue Suede
Shoes" reached number two and spent 21 weeks on the chart. He
was a big inspiration for the Beatles, who covered a lesser hit,
"Match Box." And of course, his songs appeared on the
iconic Sun label.
Carl
Perkins Bio |
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The Platters
Simply the greatest vocal group of the rock era. The incredible voice
of Tony Williams, backed by the smooth doo-wop of the rest of the group,
produced some of the most heavenly music of all time. This link takes you
to my Platters page with more comments, pictures, and links.
Dick's Platters Tribute Page |
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Elvis Presley
You can’t say enough, and anything you say is not enough.
He was one of only three recording acts by which phenomenal success
is judged. Who's bigger than Sinatra, bigger than Elvis, bigger than
the Beatles? No one. Pictures,
links and our own Elvis tribute are a click away.
Dick's Elvis Presley Tribute Page
Elvis Presley
Videos |
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Doug Sahm
The head Texas Tornado, the Mover from Mendocino, singer of blues,
country, rock and whatever else he wanted to sing, Doug Sahm was one of a
kind. Doug passed away in the fall of 1999, leaving a huge void in the
massive structure called Texas music.
Doug
Sahm Information |
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