Rare Rockabilly Singles from the Fifties Quiz

Answer: Buddy Holly/ The Crickets

Tried to start this quiz off with an easy one. Early Decca Records rockabilly from the boys from Lubbock. Sometime Cricket Sonny Curtis wrote the song.

Answer: Laura Lee Perkins

Fabulous, and an overtly risqué single from the most underrated of the rockabilly gals in my book. Laura Lee's music can be found on the "Imperial Rockabillies" compilations on both vinyl and CD, and off her personal website.

Answer: Mickey Hawks and the Nightraiders

North Carolina group Mickey Hawks and the Nightraiders recorded six sizzling recordings for Profile Records at the tail end of the fifties. You can find all six of their songs on the essential Buffalo Bop compilation series. Their other screamer, "Screamin' Mimi Jeanie" is also a must hear.

Answer: Larry Collins/ Collins Kids

Yes, the Collins Kids! Larry Collins takes over on vocals on this screaming speedy single. Only a youngster like Larry could get away with those lyrics! Wheww. Check out their "Hop, Skip and Jump" box set on Bear Family Records.

Answer: Johnny Carroll

Wildman Johnny Carroll ripped up this one. You can see him in action in the low budget Texas cult classic, "Rock Baby Rock It".

Answer: Bill Allen and the Backbeats

This 1956 monster is early punk rock. I was blown away by his bare to the bones, primitive classic. When he howls the chorus, he must have blown out mikes'! Can be found on the "Imperial Rockabillies" compilation on both vinyl and CD.

Answer: Wanda Jackson

One for you by the Queen of Rockabilly. Try to check out her version o, "Riot In Cell Block #9".

Answer: Myron Lee and the Caddys

If you can't find the 45 (I got lucky)m you can find this one on the outta sight, "Sin Alley Volume One" compilation.

Answer: Benny Joy

I love Benny Joy. I have never understood why he never got any bigger than he did. Bought his "Rockabilly With Benny Joy" reissue LP at a Camden Town flea market in London, and couldn't put it down. Bought the 45 for two bucks (sheer luck).

Answer: Janis Martin

The teenager even wrote it! Check out her rockabilly on the "My Boy Elvis" LP on Bear Family Records.

Answer: The Rockateens

A 1959 single by these Richmond, Virginia natives. The Rockateens also recorded the Top 40 hit, "Woo Hoo". The Rockateens' original LP has been reissued several times and is fairly easy to find.

Answer: Johnny Powers

Yep, Johnny Powers was from Michigan, but you would never know it by this great rockabilly single. Rhino has reissued this single on some of their 50s rock n roll box sets.

Answer: Ronnie Self

"Aint I'm A Dog" was released as a 7" EP on Columbia Records. It's a doggone shame he never got an album deal! So many awesome songs by this man. Check out his, "Bop A Lena" CD on Bear Family Records.

Answer: Paul Peek and Esquerita

Clapper boy Paul Peek, from Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps, ventured out on his own with a few Blue Caps in tow, to record this wild gem along with the outrageous R&B singer, Esquerita, on piano. Weird trivia: Ray Stevens ("Ahab the Arab") plays on second piano.

The song is loosely related to the Ray Charles classic hit, "What I'd Say". But heck, who wasn't influenced by Ray in some way? You can also find Paul's two songs on Norton Records' "Esquerita" LP and CD.

Answer: Johnny Burnette Trio

Great song by a great band. JBT appear (sans brother Dorsey) in the Alan Freed teen movie, "Rock Rock Rock" doing this number. JBT's stuff is reissued everywhere including on Bear Family Records and the LP, "Tear It Up" reissue on Solid Smoke Records.

Answer: Kip Tyler

According to the fabulous out of print magazine, "Kicks", started by Billy Miller and Miriam Linna, Kip Tyler is very reclusive and wants nothing to do with his musical past. But he did some really great JD styled rockers in the 50s.

Answer: Jack Earls

It was Sun stable artist, Jack Earls who recorded this classic. Song can be found on the "Sun Records Story" box set.

Answer: Gene Vincent and the Bluecaps

One of many classics recorded by Virginia natives Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps. Cliff Gallup is ONE heck of a guitar player! An earlier 1956 single from Capital Records that didn't make the charts.

Answer: Sparkle Moore

Sparkle recorded this one. Some trivia for ya: according to Ms. Moore in a "Kicks Magazine" interview, Rat Packer Sammy Davis Jr. once told Sparkle, "she looked like the female James Dean". Several of her songs appear on the decent, "Wild Wild Women" compilation on Rounder Records.

Answer: Charlie Feathers

Charlie Feathers recorded his best seminal rockabilly for King Records. His unique, stuttering, hiccupy vocals are put to perfect use on this ultra creepy single, later redone by The Cramps. Be sure to find Charlie's most excellent songs on the "Best Of King Records" CD.

Answer: Gene Summers

Texas boy Gene Summers recorded this gem. Best known for his rockin' song, "School of Rock and Roll".

Answer: Linda and the Epics

Not much info on this group. But this fabulous female vocal nugget turns up a lot on modern day 50s Girl Rockabilly compilations including the "Wild Wild Women" compilation on Rounder Records. Very rare.

Answer: Lorrie Collins/ Collins Kids

One of my absolute favorites of the Collins Kids songs. A little bit of beatnik, A little bit of rockabilly. Sends chills up my spine, it's that haunting. It has been recorded by other artists including Johnny Cash, Odessa, and Ella Mae Morse, all the way up to modern day bands like Thee Wanderers and the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Its a not to be missed, classic song. Find it, cherish it. Found on the awesome, essential, "Hop, Skip and Jump" Box Set on Bear Family Records.

Answer: Allen Page

Moon Records owner Cordell Jackson wrote the song, produced it, and played guitar on the song. Joe Wallace, Earl Patterson, and Johnny Tate were also part of the Moon Records stable, but Allen Page was the most popular of the crop. Blazing tune.

Answer: Link Wray and the Wraymen

Link Wray, on Epic Records.