Carl Perkins: Spreading That Blue Suede All Around the World

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Rockabilly King Carl Perkins? Yes, "Blue Suede Shoes." Congratulations. I hope no one out there thinks that Elvis wrote this rockin' ditty. His version seems to be the one everybody remembers. Chalk it up to hair and hips. But it was the El's buddy Carl, the poor 'ol sharecropper's son from Tennessee, who wrote and first recorded it. Since its release in January 1956, there's never been a shortage of blue suede in the world of rock. The song has been covered by everyone from The Beatles and Buddy Holly to Bill Haley and Pat Boone. But I'll bet you didn't know that some rather unlikely artists have also recorded and performed this most sacred of rock tunes. Here's a smathering of some rather outré Blue Suede renditions, plus covers of other Perkins classics.

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Let the Jukebox Keep on Playing

December 19, 1980: That was the last time I dropped a quarter into a jukebox and had the pleasure of hearing THREE songs. I'm thinking they were "Brass in Pocket," "Emotional Rescue" and "Romeo's Tune." Why would I recollect those kinds of details? Because they relate to a memorable first date, that's why. In my heyday, jukeboxes and romance went together like woofers and tweeters. On this date in 1889, the world's first jukebox was installed at the Palais Royale Saloon in San Francisco. The majestic music boxes would go on to provide the soundtrack to many a 20th century romantic rendezvous.

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