Biography of Carl Perkins

Unlike most stars of rockabilly's golden era, Carl Perkins was not a good-looking, particularly sexy young man. This meant his success was almost totally dependent on the energy and excitement of his music. Consider, then, that "Blue Suede Shoes" topped the pop, country, and R&B charts in 1956.Like most great music, "Blue Suede Shoes" is timeless. Its appeal is as unmistakable thirty-five years after it was recorded, as it was when it first came blasting out of Wurlitzers and low-tech car radios. Unlike virtually all modern rock music, "Blue Suede Shoes" boasts almost no drum track; it is driven by the edgy rhythm of a slap bass. Perkins' music was innovative, yet it grew naturally from the hillbilly and country boogie sounds that wafted out of jukeboxes all over Jackson, TN, Perkins" hometown.Now that the vaults of Sun records have been nearly mined to their last reel of tape, it is clear that the success of Carl Perkins (or for that matter, "Blue Suede Shoes") was no accident. The uninformed listener may view Perkins as a one-hit wonder, but it is plain he was not. So much of his early and best work simply bristles with energy and unaffected drive. Unlike his labelmate Elvis Presley, who turned to Scotty Moore when it was time for a guitar solo, Perkins relied on himself. And his solos are legendary among pickers.In the '60s, Perkins' music was adapted by The Beatles, who sang his songs and his praises to an audience that had nearly forgotten him. Since then, he has survived substance abuse, unfair treatment by record companies, and most of the perils of life on the road. Today Carl Perkins has become something of an elder statesman of rockabilly. His recorded legacy justifies all the respect it is given by fans and peers alike.As with many rockabilly artists, the general guideline for selecting recordings is: the earlier the better. In Perkins' case, this means seek out his Sun sides. Most compilations will be built around "Blue Suede Shoes." Later CBS sides (1958 and later) are far less consistent, although there are some real winners (e.g., "Honey, Cause I Love You"). The Decca period is largely C&W. ~ Hank Davis