Wearing Your Art On Your Sleeve- Robert Gordon and Link Wray- "Fire"

"Wearing Your Art On Your Sleeve" is a new feature that will periodically take a look at 45 rpm picture sleeves.  This Bruce Springsteen penned tune was the perfect fit for Robert Gordon and Link Wray.  Supposedly, Bruce had written it for Elvis originally.  When that didn't materialize, Robert and Link recorded it.  Bruce plays on this version as well.  It was from their Fresh Fish Special album (the other side of the sleeve promoted this album as you can see in the pic below).

The photo of Robert and Link captures not only the rockabilly look but also the attitude which helped give the style a revival during a time when punk and new wave were sweeping the nation.

Willie Dixon died this day in 1992

Willie Dixon died this day in 1992 at the age of 76.  One of his solo projects was titled I Am The Blues and it's hard to argue.  He was proficient at both upright bass and guitar as well as his own vocals.  His compositions have become blues standards and recorded by the likes of Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Elvis Presley, Dion, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, The Yardbirds and others.  Some of his many songs include "Little Red Rooster", "I Ain't Superstitious", "My Babe", "Evil", "Hoochie Coochie Man", "I Just Want To Make Love To You" and many more.

"Back Door Man"- Willie Dixon

"Little Red Rooster"- The Rolling Stones

"I Can't Quit You Babe"- Led Zeppelin

"I Ain't Superstitious"- Howlin' Wolf

"Hoochie Coochie Man"- Muddy Waters

"My Babe"- Little Walter

Ringo Starr's cover of "You're Sixteen" hit #1 in the US in 1974

Ringo Starr's cover of Johnny Burnette's "You're Sixteen" topped the US charts this day in 1974.  Johnny's version was a hit in the fall of 1960.  Here's both versions to enjoy:

Ringo Starr-

Johnny Burnette-

Buddy Holly & The Crickets release "Maybe Baby" this day in 1958

Buddy Holly & The Crickets release "Maybe Baby" this day in 1958.  It hit #17 in the US but got to #4 in the UK.

The Sensational Guitar Sound Of Marco Di Maggio- Vol. 1

Sometimes an album title says almost all you need to know about it's contents.  Marco Di Maggio has been internationally recognized as one of the world's top guitarists with styles ranging from Rock, Country, Surf, Rockabilly, Blues and much more.  His latest project, The Sensational Guitar Sound of Marco Di Maggio will no doubt win over new fans as well as thrill current followers of his craft.

Pick up a copy at his site- www.marcodimaggio.com

Johnny Cash- "She Used To Love Me A Lot"

Hear "She Used To Love Me A Lot" from Cash's previously unreleased album Out Among The Stars which will be available March 25th.

Johnny Cash's Ring Of Fire was top of the charts in 1964

Johnny Cash's Ring Of Fire was at the top of Billboard's Top Country Albums chart when they introduced it this day in 1964.  Here's this classic tune performed by the Man In Black himself...

Howlin' Wolf died this day in 1976

Chester Arthur Burnett (known by his stage name Howlin' Wolf) died this day in 1976.  His gravestone has a guitar and harmonica etched in it.  One of his most popular tunes, "How Many More Years", has become a blues staple.  That was recorded at Memphis Recording Service by Sam Phillips and also features Ike Turner on piano.  Wolf was one of a kind in his vocal delivery and while he's often imitated, he's never been duplicated.  Here's some of his most popular tunes:

"How Many More Years"

"Smokestack Lightning"

"Spoonful"

"Evil"

upcoming documentary

Happy Birthday Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page was born in 1944 in Heston, England.  He's certainly one of the most influential rock guitarists of all time from his early session work and to his time in the Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin.  Here we focus on some of his rockabilly and blues influences:

"My Bucket's Got A Hole In It" (with Robert Plant)

Led Zeppelin- Elvis Medley

interview about It Might Get Loud documentary

Led Zeppelin- "Somethin' Else" (Eddie Cochran)

Dave Berry- "My Baby Left Me" (Jimmy Page on lead guitar)

Yardbirds- "Train Kept A Rollin'" (Tiny Bradshaw, Johnny Burnette Trio, etc)

Brenda Lee- "Is It True" (Jimmy on guitar)

Sun Records Founder Sam Phillips was born this day in 1923

Sam Phillips was born this day in 1923.  He was best known for his legendary Sun Records label that he founded in 1952.  Sam had produced such blues acts like B.B. King, Howlin Wolf, Jackie Brenston (with Ike Turner) and many more for other labels up until he opened his own label.  The Memphis Recording Service served as the studio for the projects released on his label.  His biggest discovery at Sun was of course Elvis Presley but close behind were Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison and more.  Although Sam died in 2003, his legacy and music vision continues to live on.

Here's my son Connor from one of our many trips to Sun.  This one was from December, 2011.  It still looks the same today as it did back when Sam was running things!