Rhythm kings - Bo, Chuck, and Bill.

It only seems fitting to start at the beginning. As the name 56 Special may imply, most (but not all) my influences are at the roots of where it all began.
For me the rhythm is the thing, most of my songs start with a rhythm and everything else follows.
So here's great footage from way back when from 3 of the best originators of rhythm...

Before Elvis exploded onto America's TV sets in 1956 these boys were bubbling under, taking the blues and giving it a backbeat (you can't lose it).

Bo Diddley a.k.a "The Originator" created a unique 'stomp' that is instantly recognisable. Great lyrics and a full on, shit kicking rhythm.
Don't Let It Go (Hold On to What You Got) is one of my favorite tunes, a jumpin', shufflin', gospel celebration (I'll post it on here later).
Continuing a spate of bad health, he had a heart attack in August 2007. He is recovering in Florida. Hey Bo Diddley!

Chuck Berry's You Never Can Tell and Maybelline are firm favorites here. Ain't That Just Like A Women is another beauty, if you don't tap you're feet to Chuck Berry call a doctor, you ain't well.
Solid 4/4 driving drums, 5 star rock 'n' roll gasoline. This one of the coolest cats to duck walk across the stage. Totally laid back and in complete control. Legend has it he turns up alone to gigs with just his guitar and a suitcase, the fee is to be in the suitcase before he plays, or he won't. He plays a short set with any old local backing band and off he goes...
(p.s. Check out the 101ers version of Maybelline - I think Strummer was hoping catch last orders)

Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry got it right first time. Damn right.



Bill Haley took the swing and be-bop from the black shack jive joints and gave it a white-wash. He made rockabilly something acceptable for the masses, and before Elvis he was the King. He doesn't get a lot of credit cos he was overshadowed by the 'Memphis Flash' in 1956, but he was selling millions in his day and he and his Comets had an infectious swinging thang going on baby... As you'll hear, it's probably fair to say his 1952 hit Rock The Joint was the blueprint for the Stray Cat's Rock This Town. He may not have been the greatest but he put rockabilly on the map. He also has the dubious claim of looking a lot like Buzz Lightyear.



And so it was written, and just as Bill Haley stole from the underground black jive joints, and the Stray Cats stole from Bill Haley, so I shall steal from both of them and indeed from Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry in equal measures...

In a while crocodile...