Carl Lee Perkins (April 9, 1932 – January 19, 1998) was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954. His best known song is "Blue Suede Shoes".
According to Charlie Daniels, "Carl Perkins' songs personified the rockabilly era, and Carl Perkins' sound personifies the rockabilly sound more so than anybody involved in it, because he never changed." Perkins' songs were recorded by artists (and friends) as influential as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Johnny Cash, which further cemented his place in the history of popular music. Paul McCartney even claimed that “If there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles”.
I didn't know Carl Perkins existed until I read the track listing on "The Beatles For Sale" LP. "Honey Don't" and "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby" were both penned by someone called "Perkins". After a bit of research I discovered it was Carl Perkins. I also found out he wrote "Blue Suede Shoes" which, of course, I thought was an original Elvis song. I borrowed an LP of his from someone and hey presto, Rockabilly came alive to my ears!
Called "the King of Rockabilly", he was inducted into the Rock and Roll, the Rockabilly, and the Nashville Songwriters Halls of Fame; and was a Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipient.
Elvis may have been the King, but Carl Perkins was certainly the originator. He penned and recorded "Blue Suede Shoes" before Elvis covered it, "Honey Don't" and "Matchbox" before The Beatles and...need I say more? Classic and timeless rockabilly. Carl Rocks!
This compilation is a 58 track, 3CD set which includes the original Sun recordings plus alternative takes and demos. A must for any music aficionado.
available from Amazon
Carl Perkins - Original Sun Greatest Hits
Essential Sun Collection
4 comments:
Carl Perkins link is dead.
..this link has now been updated
many tanx!
Great Collection.Thanks for uploading.
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