Rockabilly Music Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sam Phillips

Mr. Alan Freed was the man who introduced many early artists to audiences nationwide via film projects like "Rock! Rock! Rock!" Mr. Dewey Phillips (no relation to Sam Phillips) was one of the very important radio personalities who introduced some of the early pioneers of rockabilly and rock n' roll music on his locally famous Red Hot & Blue radio show in Memphis. And last-but-not-least on our list Mr. Steve Sholes who earned a footnote in musical history signing young Elvis Presley to his "big" music contract with RCA Victor on November 22nd, 1955 for $35,000 plus a $5,000 signing bonus for back royalties payable to Elvis. Hmmm. We all know what he decided to purchase with that money...

Answer: Brian Setzer and the Stray Cats

Brian Setzer was first offered a position in the band with The Cramps, who were planning a lucrative tour of Europe but, turned down their offer, he felt at the time they "cramped" his style. Eventually, Mr. Setzer would meet two very enthusiastic 50s rockabilly music fans with his [two] Stray Cats "Lee Rocker" (birth name: Leon Drucker) and "Slim Jim Phantom"(birth name: James McDonell). Brian Setzer is still touring to this day: many of his performances are available on YouTube. Billy Riley and His Little Green Men became the Sun Studios house band appearing on many recordings between 1956 to 1959. Sony Burgess and The Pacers had the reputation to be the "best rock n' roll show" anywhere (circa 1955). And finally, Charlie Feathers and His Musical Warriors were "one of the tightest rockabilly and country bands in Memphis."

Answer: Alis Lesley

Hard-core rockabilly collectors may be familiar with the name Alis Lesley. The true "female Elvis" was none other than Janis Martin (audiophiles are aware of the South African commercial release simply titled, "Janis & Elvis", worth quite a lot as a collectible on eBay last time I looked). Brenda Lee was very cute too, and "Little" in stature (who started recording at the tender age of 12) but, could pack a mighty marketing punch so was known as, "Little Miss Dynamite" to her fans worldwide. Who can forget the legendary, talented and beautiful Wanda Jackson? Touring to this very day! Born in Maud, Oklahoma on October 20, 1937.

Answer: gold

That Golden Gibson beauty was considered "outrageous" because it was introduced at a time in music history when guitars were presented "au naturel" or in their factory motif "birthday suit." If that didn't please the owner than they painted a "funky sunburst" on it. I read somewhere in my research that Les Paul was approached by none other than the President of Gibson, Mr. M.H. Berlin, who asked Les what colour he preferred for the new model of Gibson ES-295? Les' first suggestion was apparently metallic gold, and the shop foreman almost fired-off a "rocket in his pocket"(as Jimmy Floyd sang in 1958) because he was NOT pleased with that idea! Les and Mr. Berlin, and the shop foreman, eventually reached a compromise.

Answer: EchoSonic Amplifier

The "EchoSonic" amplifier retailed for $500 in 1956. This was certainly not the cheapest amplifier on the market at that time. "Simply put, there was something magical that occurred when Scotty Moore combined his fingers a Gibson guitar and the EchoSonic amplifier," (Deke Dickerson interview for "Rockabilly History: the twang heard around the world"). Avro Arrow was a "sonic" piece of equipment that was beautiful and lifted spirits of a different variety.

The "P Spectormeter" is my imaginary tribute to another famous producer Mr. Phil Spector, and the "Jarvis Jiver" is another of my creative tributes to Mr. Felton Jarvis who became Elvis' sole producer from 1966. My information source is:"Rockabilly:The Twang Heard Around The World" An Illustrated History. ISBN 978-1-5526-7808-4

Answer: brown paper bag

The story has it that Carl heard a man tell his date not to get too close to his prized pair of footwear. Carl couldn't sleep one night while the lyrics and chords started to form in his mind so he quietly crept downstairs to the living room (being quiet so as not to disturb his sleeping wife) and empty a brown bag of "Irish Potatoes" which was the only thing he could find quick enough so he could transfer his song idea on to paper.

Again, my information source is:"Rockabilly:The Twang Heard Around The World" An Illustrated History. ISBN 978-1-5526-7808-4

Answer: "Blue Moon of Kentucky" by Elvis Presley

Carl Perkins was listening to the radio while at home and apparently said to his wife, "...this song sounds like the stuff we do on stage...I am going to find out who recorded this singer..." And as they say, "The rest is history." The other multiple choice answers I provided are all titles and artists recorded by Sam Phillips at Sun Studios (1951 through 1956).

Answer: Robert Gordon

The three multiple choices listed are all guitarists who have worked on stage with Mr. Gordon and/or in the recording studio. Mr. Gordon's debut LP release in 1977 was the self-titled "robert gordon" featuring Link Wray on guitar. "Fresh Fish Special" was released in 1978 featuring the studio work of Robert Gordon and Link Wray. Robert recorded a cover version with an assist from Link Wray again, of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire" (originally made famous by The Ohio Players of funk r&b fame mid 1970s).

Answer: Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash

Can you imagine that? The soon-to-be-legendary Buddy Holly drops by Sun and is told Mr. Phillips is TOO BUSY. I bet Buddy was thinking, "Hey, that'll be the day..." Johnny Cash played with Marshall and Luther (billed as the Tennessee Two). When Johnny's future beautiful wife, June joined them they would be known as "Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Three. Keeping it simple. Carl Perkin's musical backing was supported by two brothers Jay and Clayton - "Fluke" was a good friend. Mr. Elvis, Scotty and Bill, in the early days were simply billed as Elvis Presley, Scotty and Bill. Later Scotty and Bill would accompany Memphis's soon-to-be-most-famous citizen under the billing, the Blue Moon Boys.

Answer: Charlie Rich

The multiple-choice answers all recorded for Sam Phillips. Mr. Edwin Bruce was all of 16 years old when he arrived at Sun with his 15 dollars in hand and the mind to cut a demo record: one of the engineers liked what he heard, notified Mr. Phillips, who signed the young man "on the spot." Edwin released, "Rock Boppin' Baby" (Sun 276) on August 15, 1957. Mr. Warren Smith had the "purest country voice" Sam Phillips said he had ever heard.

His song, "Rock n' Roll Ruby" was released in April 1956, outselling the early hits of Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins.

He also recorded "Miss Froggie" and the great rockabilly classic, "Ubangi Stomp." Mr. Glen Glenn's recordings are known as "classic rockabilly."