Some ill-informed writers of rock and roll would dismiss Carl Perkins as a one-hit wonder at the dawn of rock and roll, but a deeper look at his music and career reveals so much more. A brief look at his songwriting folder shows that he wrote songs for Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline. Also, his influence as a rockabilly singer played a hugh part in the devlopment of later generations of rockers like The Beatles and The Hollies as well as country artists. Along with Scotty Moore's playing style, Carl's style of guitar was so gravitating that modern day guitarists sometimes don't even realize that they're playing Perkins' licks. As a singer, Carl's country ballads are every bit as fine as his rock stuff. Within the frame of his music, a strong sense of family radiates throughout the musical career of this great singer

By the way, anyone wear blue suede shoes?

Posted by Andrew on Friday, 01/25/2013 @ 13:23pm

Rockabilly pioneer Carl Perkins lent rock n' roll a guiding hand when two musical currents that defined the music of the South in the mid 20th century, rhythm & blues and country and western came together in the mid 50s as rock and roll.

A native Tennessean, Carl was born to a sharecropping family north of Memphis. He first learned how to play the guitar from a black field hand named John Westbrook. He clearly was influenced by bluegrass pioneer, Bill Monroe which one can hear in Perkins' music. "Some of these old songs of Bill's sound so much like rockabilly, it's frightening." Perkins once said. He was also right on track with Elvis Presley on the creation of rock n' roll from homegrown musical elements.

While some ill-informed writers of rock n' roll history would like dismiss Perkins as a one hit wonder artist at the drawn of rock n' roll, yet a deeper at his musical career reveals so much more. A quick look at his songwriting folder shows us that he composed songs for Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and others. His guitar style is along with Scotty Moore's is the other peak of rockabilly's instrumental heart, so much that modern-day guitar players automatically move steadily to it when called upon to deliver it and don't even realize that they're playing Perkins' licks, sometimes even note by note.

As a singer, his country ballads are every bit as perfect as his better known rock songs. Within the framework of his music is a powerful sense of family and roots that trace back to his humble background. While on tour in England in 1964, he learned that his music had influenced The Beatles, especially George Harrison. In fact, they recorded five of Perkins' songs including "Matchbox," and "Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby."

Carl's influence as the quintessential rockabilly artist has played a high part in the development of every generation of rock artists to come down the road from The Beatles to The Stray Cats to an uncountable number of country artists as well.

In my mind, "Blue Suede Shoes" will always be one of rockabilly's finest songs and Carl Perkins will always be one of rock's finest guitar players.

Posted by Andrew on Sunday, 02/23/2014 @ 20:27pm

He really did have just one big hit, any follow ups just scraped the lower reaches of the chart and were similar themed and sounding as blue suede shoes.. pink peddle pushers etc etc.
He jumped to country out of desperation and Johnny cash allowed him to tour with him, so he then because a country singer, easier market, not a teen record buying market.
He simply followed the money, Jerry Lee Lewis did the same when his chart career dried up, although he had quite a few big hits .
Perkins meeting with the Beatles and them covering a few of his songs added to his popularity and allowed him to continue to be able to perform.
So it could be said that if it weren't for Johnny cash and the Beatles, Perkins would be long since forgotten.
And Elvis covered and kept blue suede shoes alive as much as Perkins did.
This also allowed Perkins to cash in on his 1 big hit.
This isn't an attack on Perkins, it's simply stating facts, he didn't have what it took to become a big star and blue suede shoes written by and recorded by him in December 1955 is what allowed him to eek out a living, together with Elvis covering the song, cash allowing him to tour with him and the Beatles recording a few of his songs.
Take away the Elvis, Johnny cash and Beatles connection and you end up with a 1 hit wonder, he did pretty well out of that one great song

Posted by Johnny Rotten on Friday, 05/28/2021 @ 03:40am

Jonny Rotten
You got to be kidding If it wasn't for the big bang we wouldn't be here ..If I follow that logic LOL Then I agree,
rock on

Posted by DRROCK on Sunday, 05/30/2021 @ 20:51pm

i thought Carl was inducted in 1987? The King of Rockabilly.

Posted by Ron Fowler on Friday, 11/18/2022 @ 21:28pm

Johnny Rotten - are you crazy? Perkins music will always endure - he was not a 1 hit wonder, but you are a number one fool when it comes. to Carl Lee Perkins.

Posted by Marcia on Monday, 04/10/2023 @ 16:28pm