Maybe this it is the best form of defining a style that exists from the first moment in that Elvis began to shake his hips, way back in the ‘50s.
Rockabilly music combines the sounds of the Hillbilly music and early country, as well as elements of blues, jazz and bluegrass.
Most people track the origin of Rockabilly to early Elvis Presley because his early recordings for Sun records helped to define the sound. Elvis versions of "That's all right mama" and "Mystery Train" shows clearly how a wild rockabilly have to sound .
Other Rockabilly pioneers are Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent, Rock'n'Roll Trío (Jhonny Burnete), Eddie Cochran, etc.
But the Rockabilly fashion only last a couple of years (1956-1959) since there were people that thought that it was too dangerous for the youth's morals.
However there were places where it had never been left aside. In England and during Beatlemania there were famous the battles among Rockers, that continued listening the ‘50s idols, and Mods (followers of the new music that was listened during that time).
To the end of the ‘60s and principles of the ‘70s begin to appear several bands that recreated the old rock and roll sound like Crazy Cavan and the Rhythm Rockers, Matchbox, etc.
For ends of the ‘70s, new bands appear with certain success being Robert Gordon a well-known example. It is during this time that a branch arises inside the Rockabilly, the Psychobilly: Rockabilly with a heavy and aggressive side and with a lot of influence of the Punk, of class B movies and everything that is bizarre. Their main exponents: The Cramps and The Meteors.
During the ‘80s the Stray Cats heads the biggets return of the Rockabilly with more forces than never. Every day a new band arose and, to my to understand, after the ‘50s this are the most creative years in the Rockabilly scene. The more representative bands of that time could be Restless, Polecats, Buzz & the Flyers, etc.
In the ‘90s all this doesn't change and nowadays one can notice the influence of the Rockabilly in a heap of things that they are listened. Artists like Chris Isaak or Morrisey have topics that take that characteristic sound without being rockabilly.
This unique music is far from a "thing from the past." It is alive today more than ever. In the small venues throughout the world you will find legendary performers and younger musicians in their 20's and 30's playing strictly rockabilly.
The same driving guitar licks, frantic vocals, standup bass slap and heavy snare drum backbeat still sound great!
Many weekend rockabilly shows are drawing big crowds of all ages and from all countries. Some of the veteran performers are no longer with us, but others are still performing regularly in the US, England and in clubs and concerts throughout the world. Many are coming out of retirement (much to the delight of their sons, daughters and grandchildren) to join the movement to a more simple, happier feeling as the century draws to an close.
The Comets
You'll have to admit that rockabilly, the "launching pad of rock 'n' roll," has become a major part of the current music scene as it often resurfaces in bits and pieces of today's tunes. Just listen carefully, you'll hear it and love it.
KEEP ON ROCKIN'
e-mail: ldomin@aluar.com.ar
