The First Edition

Not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Eligible since: 1993

First Recording: 1967

Previously Considered? No  what's this?

The First Edition
HALL OF FAME INDICATORS
🔲Rolling Stone 500 Albums
🔲Rolling Stone 500 Songs
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🔲Songwriters Hall of Fame
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Essential Songs (?)WikipediaYouTube
Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) (1968)

The First Edition @ Wikipedia

Will The First Edition be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
"Musical excellence is the essential qualification for induction."
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Comments

7 comments so far (post your own)

The First Edition or Kenny Rogers and The Fist Edition were the second generation of The New Christy Minstrels. The original members were hiring people to be used on recordings so they wouldn't have to pay royalties to the second generation. they also were not willing to use music written by the second generation because it deviated from their perceived image.

This prompted Kenny Rogers, Terry Williams, Mike Settle and Thelma Camacho to leave The New Christy Minstrels. They added Mickey Jones on drums and The First Edition was born. Their music included rock, psychedelia, folk, country and R&B.

Mickey Jones was also an actor. He was on Home Improvement and V. He had several tv guest appearances and was in several movies such as Tin Cup and National Lampoon's Vacation.

Just Dropped In - starts with a reverse guitar solo done by Glen Campbell - Jimmi Hendrix stayed for a couple of shows and said this song was one of his favorites

Something's Burning - was not getting played on the radio because it was considered too suggestive - That changed after it was performed on the Tom Jones Show - written by Mac Davis

Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town - cover of a Mel Tillis song that told the story of a wheel chair bound vet and his cheating wife - it was a world wide hit

Reuben James - the story of a black man that raised an orphaned white boy

I don't think a lot of people realize the envelopes that were pushed and the changes that were made concerning censorship due to artist in the 70s. There was so much more than what the Doors did on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Posted by Zuzu on Saturday, 10/3/2015 @ 08:25am


Drummer - Mickey Jones

Prior to 1st Edition, Mickey Jones was a drummer for Trini Lopez, Johnny Rivers and Bob Dylan.

He was the drummer on Secret Agent Man

He was at the Manchester Free Trade Hall with Bob Dylan in 1966 - the Royal Albert Hall bootleg.


With the 1st Edition, his drumming is best showcased on Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town. Mickey Jones' drumming on this Mel Tillis Country song is one of the main elements that turn this version into a Rock song. This is the song that
established the 1st Edition as artists. I have seen some discussion on soft rock and drum beat being an important element for rock songs and I have to say that this is the only soft rock song that I can think of that has a prominent drum beat.

After the First Edition, Mickey Jones went into acting in movies and tv series. He was the mechanic who shook down the Griswalds in National Lampoon's Vacation. He also had a frequent guest spot on Home Improvement as Pete Bilker. He has
over 100 acting credits to his name


as Pete Bilker on Home Improvement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0gIEv5YK8c

Posted by Zuzu on Sunday, 10/22/2017 @ 16:27pm


Mel Tillis passed away yesterday. He wrote Ruby Don;t Take Your Love To Town, a hit for the First Edition and Detroit City, a hit for Bobby Bare.

I am surprised to not see that he is listed since many artist have covered his songs. Several are R & R Hall inductees and nominees.

Posted by Zuzu on Monday, 11/20/2017 @ 19:37pm


Drummer. Mickey Jones passed away February 7.

Posted by Zuzu on Tuesday, 02/20/2018 @ 15:27pm


Appreciate all the great information listed on this small band. Very fascinating history. I thought their songs were edgy and "For the Times" of the late 1960s and early 1970s. People would turn over if they knew Kenny Rogers was in this band, long before he folded 'em.

Posted by DIAMOND on Sunday, 03/25/2018 @ 09:36am


RIP Kenny Rogers

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 03/21/2020 @ 02:35am


Essential Song: "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town"

The First Edition's chances went up in 2032 and 2023. First, Dolly Parton raised the chances of Kenny Rogers, and second, because there is a scenario where "Kenny Rogers/Kenny Rogers and the First Edition" are inducted as a double bill.

Posted by Bookhouse on Friday, 02/24/2023 @ 11:10am


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Future Rock Legends is your home for The First Edition and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, including year of eligibility, number of nominations, induction chances, essential songs and albums, and an open discussion of their career.


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