"They called it Rockabilly long before they called it Rock'n'Roll!" - Carl Perkins
What is Rockabilly? Rockabilly is an American musical style:
It has been called "Country Blues." I like to say it like this: Rockabilly is any kind of country plus any kind of blues with a little jazz thrown in. That's three American music styles rolled into one!
Elvis Presley in 1954 with Scotty Moore and Bill Black.
What is Rockabilly? Rockabilly is part of America's history:
Rockabilly was the first Rock'n'Roll music to top the charts. America and the world would never be the same. The music business suddenly had a huge new market to cater to. Teenagers! The movie industry followed suit. In fact, the very first #1 rock'n'roll song got to the top of the charts because it was used in a movie (check out THE PRIDE OF DELAWARE COUNTY on the Rockabilly History page).
What is Rockabilly? Rockabilly is a worldwide phenomenon:
Beginning in 1955 with Bill Haley and the Comets, American artists toured the world and left behind a lasting impression. Rockabilly is STILL hugely popular in many European nations and in Australia. And yet, back here in the United States, it seems as if Rockabilly was forgotten soon after Elvis' records were used to fuel the bonfires of a misguided American public.
Today, the rockabilly awareness in the US is primarily limited to the pop success of The Stray Cats, who were very successful in the early 1980s. But for those who were young during the early days of Rockabilly, the music they remember and cherish is almost never heard (See our BIO for more on our "BAND WITH A MISSION").
What is Rockabilly? Rockabilly is fun!
Rockabilly is extremely danceable; preferred by many experts right along with big band swing. Social dances popularized during World War II were still on the dance floor in the fifties. Rockabilly provided a beat that kept the dancers dancing!
What is Rockabilly? Rockabilly is a classic sound:
The instrumentation is built around a big bass fiddle and at least one guitar (either or both acoustic or electric). Piano is also popular. Great vocals are essential. Drums were, at first, optional, since a good "country bass" player could play a percussive sound (aka 'slap bass') along with the bass line. Until fairly recently, drums were still considered an abomination in many country venues. But when folks wanted to dance, there was no substitute for having that big beat behind the band.
To hear great examples of classic country slap bass, listen to early recordings of Elvis Presley with his sidemen, guitarist Scotty Moore and the great Bill Black on bass. It's hard to believe some of the rhythms he accomplished while providing the bass line at the same time!
Later, the bass fiddle was replaced by the bass guitar, which is much easier to play, BUT, definitely lacks the character of the "doghouse" sound. With the electric bass, the more contemporary rock band lineup was born. However, The Rivers prefer the great original sound and performance fun of a Rockabilly trio with guitar, drums, and that big bull fiddle.
Here's an note of thanks to Vince Gordon for making sure I got my facts straight!
