Carl Lee Perkins (April 9, 1932 – January 19, 1998) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rockabilly great and pioneer of rock and roll, he began his recording career at the Sun Studio, in Memphis, beginning in 1954. Among his best-known songs are "Blue Suede Shoes", "Honey Don't", "Matchbox" and "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby".
According to fellow musician 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's songs were recorded by artists (and friends) as influential as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash and Eric Clapton, which further established his prominent place in the history of popular music. Paul McCartney said "if there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles."
Nicknamed the "King of Rockabilly", Perkins was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.
Links to Peel[]
Peel probably first heard the singer in the late 50's or early 60's, either in his youth or when he moved to America. He would later play some of the singer's music on his BBC Radio One shows. His friend and colleague, Andy Kershaw, wrote a letter to Peel from America, about the experience of seeing the singer performed, describing it as belting out no-frills rock & roll, without concession to showbiz embellishment. [1]
Shows Played[]
- 21 February 1970: All Mama’s Children (LP - Boppin' The Blues with N.R.B.Q.) CBS
- 1973
- 24 July 1973: Put Your Cat Clothes On! (7") Sun
- 1978
- 18 September 1978: 'Matchbox (v/a LP-It's Rock 'N' Roll Vol. 2)' (Super Beeb)
- 1986
- 04 November 1986: Dixie Fried (LP - The Original Carl Perkins) Charly
- 1987
- 17 November 1987: Blue Suede Shoes (3x v/a LP - Cruisin' 1955-1967) Increase
- 1996
- 19 May 1996: Where The Rio De Rosa Flows (album - Whole Lotta Shakin') Columbia
- 2004
- 17 February 2004: Put Your Cat Clothes On! (7") Sun
Covered[]
(The list below was compiled only from the Cover Versions page of this site. Please add more information if known.)
Artist | Track | First Known Play
- Lee Jackson: Blue Suede Shoes 18 September 1992
- John Lennon: Blue Suede Shoes 08 November 1969
- Eilert Pilarm: Blue Suede Shoes 27 April 1996
- Elvis Presley: Blue Suede Shoes 01 December 1983