Eddie Fontaine (March 6, 1927 – April 13, 1992) was an American actor and singer, best known for television roles in the 1960s and 1970s.
Born Edward Reardon in Springfield, Massachusetts, Fontaine signed as a vocalist with RCA in 1954 after serving in the US Navy. In 1955, he appeared at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater in disc jockey Alan Freed's first rock and roll show. He also sang in the Jayne Mansfield movie The Girl Can't Help It (1956).
Musically, he is best remembered for his 1958 single "Nothin' Shakin' (But the Leaves on the Trees)", which was part of The Beatles early repertoire. (The British star Billy Fury released a version in 1964.)
He is listed as a "legend" but not an inductee at the Rockabilly Hall of Fame site.
(Read more at Wikipedia.)
Links to Peel[]
Peel was a huge fan of Eddie Fontaine's 'Nothin Shakin' (But The Leaves On The Trees)', which he bought originally as a single at NEMS record store in Liverpool (where he was served by Beatles manager Brian Epstein).[1] The song was played numerous times on his radio shows over the years and appeared in Peel's 77 All Time Favourite Records List for Disc & Music Echo in 1972. On 17 August 1981, the DJ declared it to be “one of the great rock and roll records of all time”. He is not known to have given airtime to any other recordings by the singer.
On his 10 September 2004 (BBC World Service) show, Peel played a cover version of 'Nothin' Shakin' by Liverpool rocker Billy Fury.
Festive Fifty Entries[]
- None
Sessions[]
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Other Shows Played[]
Eddie Fontaine Nothing Shakin
- 12 April 1978: Nothin' Shakin' (But the Leaves on the Trees) (v/a album - Chess Rockabillies) Chess
- 16 April 1981: Nothin' Shakin' (But the Leaves on the Trees)
- 17 August 1981: Nothin’ Shakin’ (single) reissue (JP: “one of the great rock and roll records of all time”.)
- 13 November 1984: Nothing Shaking
- 25 August 1999: Nothin' Shakin (JP: 'My original copy (of that) I bought at NEMS in central Liverpool, and I was served by Brian Epstein. Some of you may not know who (he) was, but you should do.')
- 02 September 1999 (Radio Eins): Nothin' Shakin'
- 08 July 2003: Nothin' Shakin' (7") Chess (JP mentions that Eddie Fontaine's Nothin' Shakin' is one of his all time favourite tunes.)
- 03 July 2003 (Radio Eins): Nothing Shaking (But The Leaves On The Trees) (Compilation LP-Chess Rockabillies Volume One - Just Go Wild Over Rock'N'Roll)' (Chess)
See Also[]
- Peel's 77 All Time Favourite Records List: Nothin' Shakin
- You'll Never Walk Alone(2): Nothin' Shakin'
- Chess Records
- Rockabilly
External Links[]