Screamin' Jay Hawkins- "I Put A Spell On You" spooks us for Halloween

Screamin' Jay Hawkins hit "I Put A Spell On You" is the appropriate song for Halloween today.  This wild tune from 1956 was originally intended to be a ballad.  Hawkins and the band were rather drunk at the recording and the result was a rather raw and screamin' final take.  It was banned from some radio stations for it's over the top growling and raw vocals.  Here he is in concert with all his screaming glory along with some key covers of this wonderfully strange hit...

Creedence Clearwater Revival- "I Put A Spell On You" live from Woodstock 1969

The Kills- "I Put A Spell On You"

Rick(y) Nelson's appearance at an oldies reunion in 1971 inspires "Garden Party"

Rick Nelson (as he called himself now instead of "Ricky") had a hit in 1972 with the song "Garden Party".  The inspiration came from an appearance at a Rock 'N Roll Revival show at Madison Square Garden on October 15, 1971.  Also on the bill were Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Bobby Rydell and others.  He played some of his hits but then played "Honky Tonk Women" by The Rolling Stones.  He heard a lot of boo's from the audience and felt it was because he was playing new songs and not his older hits that everyone knew of his.  See this great song here from Rick as well as John Fogerty's cover...

John Fogerty- "Garden Party" (with Billy Burnette in the band)

Everly Brothers have first #1 with "Wake Up Little Susie" in 1957

The Everly Brothers have their first #1 song in the US with "Wake Up Little Susie" (it went to #2 in the UK).  Here's the Everly's performing it live as well as a cover by Simon & Garfunkel (who regard the Everly's as their greatest influence)...

Simon & Garfunkel- "Wake Up Little Susie"

Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash kick off an 11 date tour in 1955

Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash (shown here with Jerry Lee Lewis on the left) kick off an 11 date tour starting in Abilene, TX.  In the video below from a 1955 concert, you see the 3 of them backstage and onstage along with a young Buddy Holly...