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Jack Watkins
When rock’n’roll’s popularity began to fade in the US, the legendary Gene Vincent made the UK his new home. With the help of Matchbox’s Graham Fenton, Vintage Rock charts Gene’s…
It may have missed out the big hits, but Jerry Lee’s long-playing debut showed his extreme versatility, from rockers to ballads… and even a traditional gospel number. Jack Watkins listens…
As much a country performer as a rockabilly one, Carl Perkins’ music is one that true rock’n’roll fans continue to cherish, even if his fame never quite soared like that…
Tennessee Ernie Ford was a middle of the road TV showman when he released the album bearing the title of his biggest hit. But many of the early-50s tracks within…
Johnny Carroll was one of many rockabilly pioneers who never made it to the big time. Joining Ronny Weiser’s Rollin’ Rock label in the 70s raised his profile among hardcore…
Matchbox’s eponymous third album was the first LP from the so-called rockabilly revival to penetrate the UK charts. This landmark record was a well-deserved breakthrough for a band who had…
Roy Orbison’s emotive studio album reflected the early fruits of his revitalised recording career with Monument Records, which left his frustrations with the Sun and RCA labels behind him. By…
In 1980 the British rockabilly revival was primed, ready and waiting for somebody to light the touchpaper. Vintage Rock pays tribute to the punky trio who caused a rock’n’roll explosion.…
In the iconography of the great rock’n’rollers, Gene Vincent is up there with the very best. We chat to one of his most loyal fans… By Jack Watkins Seminal first-generation…
Dale Hawkins’ Susie-Q was one of the finest songs to emerge out of early rock’n’roll, a swamp-rock classic. Yet the artist himself remains relatively under-appreciated, as does his seminal debut…