Rockabilly guitar players have an unparalleled appeal, much of which comes from their characteristic hairstyles and famously fashionable followers. However, there's so much more that sets them apart. Five artists truly stand out in this genre, namely Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Hasil Adkins, The Reverend Horton Heat, and Dexter Romweber. These names are synonymous with unique melodic signatures that have created ripples in the Rockabilly genre, their riveting performances setting the tone for numerous others in the industry. Join us on Guitardoor as we journey through their individual styles and the indelible impact they've had on the Rockabilly world.
1: Johnny Cash was also a Rockabilly Guitar Player
Rockabilly is a genre of music that originated in the United States in the mid-1950s. It is a fusion of country music, rhythm and blues, and western swing. Rockabilly is characterized by its driving rhythm, its catchy melodies, and its often humorous lyrics.
The genre was popularized by artists such as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. These artists helped to spread rockabilly music around the world, and it quickly became a global phenomenon.
Today, rockabilly is still enjoyed by fans all over the world. There are rockabilly clubs and festivals in many countries, and there are even rockabilly bands from countries that you might not expect, such as Japan and Brazil.
The rockabilly guitarists on your list are all legends of the genre. They helped to define the sound of rockabilly, and their music continues to inspire musicians today.
Luther Perkins and Scotty Moore were two of the most important rockabilly guitarists. They played on many of Elvis Presley’s early recordings, and their work helped to make Elvis a star.
You mentioned that you found rockabilly music through your dad’s record collection. That’s a great way to discover new music! I’m sure your dad had some great rockabilly records in his collection.
I also love the story you shared about listening to Johnny Cash’s version of “Rock Island Line” in your dad’s truck. That sounds like an amazing experience!
Rockabilly is a great genre of music, and it’s wonderful to see that it’s still enjoyed by fans all over the world. I’m glad that you’re a fan of rockabilly, and I hope you continue to enjoy the music for many years to come.
Johnny Cash-Rock island Line
That Sound Melted and Morphed into many different variations each year to create a subculture that thrives in most countries in the world. It was The beginning of a different type of Guitar Hero and in my mind was the first Rock N Roll that was Guitar based. Eddie Cochran , Cliff Gallup from Gene Vincent’s Blue Caps, Bo Diddley and Buddy Holly also played a hand in the sound to varying degrees. Brian Setzer and The Stray Cats brought it back to the masses. Now let’s look at a few you might not know about.
2:The Reverend Horton Heat
Jim Heath is a force to be reckoned with. The Reverend Horton Heat, as he is known to his fans, is a Grammy-nominated psychobilly musician who has been tearing up stages for over three decades.
Heath was born in Dallas, Texas in 1962. He began playing guitar at a young age and quickly developed a love for rockabilly and country music. In 1986, he formed the Reverend Horton Heat Trio with drummer Scott Churilla and bassist Jimbo Wallace.
The trio quickly gained a reputation for their high-energy live shows and their unique blend of psychobilly, rockabilly, and country. They have released 13 studio albums, including their 1990 breakthrough album, Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em.
Heath is known for his flamboyant style, which includes wearing a preacher’s hat and sunglasses, and his energetic stage presence. He is also known for his virtuosic guitar playing, which is influenced by rockabilly, country, blues, and jazz.
The Reverend Horton Heat is a true original. He is a master musician who has helped to define the psychobilly genre. His music is a high-octane mix of speed, ferocity, and humor that has entertained fans for years.
Here are some additional details about Heath and his music:
- Heath is a self-taught guitarist. He began playing guitar at age 13 and taught himself how to play by listening to records.
- Heath is a prolific songwriter. He has written over 200 songs for the Reverend Horton Heat.
- Heath is a skilled guitarist. He is known for his fast, aggressive playing style.
- Heath is a charismatic performer. He is known for his energetic live shows.
- Heath is a respected musician. He has been nominated for a Grammy Award and has won numerous other awards.
If you are a fan of rockabilly, country, or psychobilly, then you should definitely check out The Reverend Horton Heat. His music is sure to get your blood pumping and your feet stomping.
The Reverend Horton Heat – Psychobilly Freakout (Live on KEXP)
3:Carl Perkins
Carl Perkins was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He was a pioneer of rockabilly, a genre that fused elements of country, blues, and rhythm and blues. His songs, such as “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Dixie Fried,” were instant classics and helped to define the sound of rock and roll.
Perkins’s influence can be heard in the music of countless artists, including Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and Eric Clapton. His signature sound, characterized by his driving guitar playing and his energetic stage presence, helped to shape the sound of rock and roll for generations to come.
The phrase “Go Cat Go!” was Perkins’s battle cry, and it quickly became a rallying cry for rockabilly fans around the world. It was a call to action, a declaration that rock and roll was here to stay.
Perkins’s music continues to inspire musicians today. His songs are still covered by artists of all genres, and his influence can be heard in the music of modern rock, country, and blues artists. Perkins was a true original, and his music will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
As for Jerry Lee Lewis’s headband, there is no definitive answer to the question of where he got it. Some believe that he stole it from Hillary Clinton, while others believe that he got it from a friend or family member. Whatever the case may be, Lewis’s headband has become an iconic part of his image, and it is a reminder of his status as one of rock and roll’s greatest pioneers.
Here are some additional details about Perkins and his music:
- Perkins was born in Tiptonville, Tennessee, in 1932.
- He began playing guitar at a young age and was influenced by country, blues, and rhythm and blues music.
- In 1954, he signed with Sun Records and released his first single, “Blue Suede Shoes.”
- “Blue Suede Shoes” was a huge hit, reaching number one on the Billboard charts.
- Perkins went on to release several other hit singles, including “Dixie Fried,” “Honey Don’t,” and “Matchbox.”
- He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
- Perkins died in 1998 at the age of 65.
Perkins’s music is a lasting legacy of his talent and influence. His songs are still enjoyed by fans around the world, and his music continues to inspire new generations of musicians.
Rockabilly Session With Carl Perkins and Friends
4:Hasil Adkins
Hasil Adkins was a one-of-a-kind musician who had a profound impact on rockabilly music. He was born in Boone County, West Virginia, in 1937, and he began playing music at a young age. He was influenced by the country, blues, and rock and roll music that he heard on the radio, and he developed his own unique style of rockabilly.
Adkins’s music was often dark and macabre, with lyrics about violence, sex, and death. He was not afraid to push the boundaries of good taste, and his music was often controversial. However, his music was also incredibly creative and original, and it helped to define the psychobilly genre.
Adkins was a self-taught musician, and he played all of the instruments on his recordings. He was also a one-man band, which meant that he could perform his music without any other musicians. This made him unique in the rockabilly world, and it helped to contribute to his wild and unpredictable stage presence.
Adkins’s music was not commercially successful during his lifetime, but he gained a cult following among fans of outsider music. In the years since his death, his music has been rediscovered by a new generation of fans, and he is now considered to be one of the most important figures in rockabilly music.
Here are some additional details about Adkins and his music:
- Adkins was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
- His music has been covered by The Cramps, Hank III, and many other artists.
- He was the subject of a documentary film called “Wild Man of Rockabilly.”
- He died in 2005 at the age of 67.
Adkins’s music is a testament to his creativity, his originality, and his wildness. He was a true outsider artist, and his music continues to inspire fans around the world.
Hasil Adkins Documentary
Hasil Adkins 2018 West Virginia Music Hall Of Fame Induction Vignette
5: FLATS Duo Jets ‘ Dexter Romweber
Flat Duo Jets videos
Flat Duo Jets – Athens, GA: Inside/Out
Dexter Romweber is a living legend of rockabilly music. He is the co-founder of the Flat Duo Jets, a band that is considered to be one of the most influential rockabilly bands of all time. Romweber is a master guitarist and songwriter, and his music is infused with the spirit of rockabilly’s golden age.
Romweber was born in Batesville, Indiana, in 1966. He began playing guitar at a young age, and he was quickly drawn to the sound of rockabilly. In 1983, he met Chris “Crow” Smith, and they formed the Flat Duo Jets. The band released their debut album, “In Stereo,” in 1985.
The Flat Duo Jets quickly became one of the most popular rockabilly bands in the world. They toured extensively and released several albums, including “Flat Duo Jets” (1990) and “High Noon” (1994). The band’s music was a major influence on the White Stripes, and Jack White has said that he would not be a musician if it wasn’t for the Flat Duo Jets.
In 1998, the Flat Duo Jets broke up. Romweber went on to form the Dex Romweber Duo with his sister, Sara. The duo has released several albums, including “Ruins of Berlin” (2009) and “Piano” (2015). Romweber has also released several solo albums, including “Carrboro” (2022).
Romweber is a true original. He is a master musician and songwriter, and his music is a vital part of the rockabilly tradition. He is a true inspiration to musicians around the world.
Here are some additional details about Romweber and his music:
- Romweber is a self-taught guitarist.
- He is a prolific songwriter. He has written over 100 songs for the Flat Duo Jets and the Dex Romweber Duo.
- He is a skilled guitarist. He is known for his driving, melodic playing style.
- He is a charismatic performer. He is known for his energetic live shows.
- He is a respected musician. He has been nominated for a Grammy Award and has won numerous other awards.
If you are a fan of rockabilly music, then you should definitely check out Dexter Romweber. His music is sure to get your toes tapping and your heart racing.
6:Bloodshot Bill
Bill, also known as Bloodshot Bill, is a Canadian rockabilly musician who is known for his wild and crazy stage presence, his twisted sense of humor, and his driving, energetic music.
Bill was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1970. He began playing guitar at a young age, and he was quickly drawn to the sound of rockabilly. In the early 1990s, he moved to the United States without proper work documents, and he was banned from the country for several years.
During his time in Canada, Bill developed his own unique style of rockabilly. He was influenced by the classic rockabilly musicians of the 1950s, but he also incorporated elements of punk rock and psychobilly into his music. He also developed a one-man band act, where he played all of the instruments himself.
In 2001, Bill was finally able to return to the United States. He quickly gained a following among rockabilly fans, and he began touring extensively. He has released several albums, including “One Man Wrecking Crew” (2002), “Psychobilly Freakout” (2006), and “Wild Bill” (2012).
Bill is a true original. He is a master musician, a gifted songwriter, and a charismatic performer. His music is a wild and crazy ride, and it is sure to get your blood pumping and your feet stomping.
Here are some additional details about Bill and his music:
- Bill is a self-taught musician.
- He is a prolific songwriter. He has written over 100 songs.
- He is a skilled guitarist. He is known for his driving, melodic playing style.
- He is a charismatic performer. He is known for his energetic live shows.
- He is a respected musician. He has been nominated for several awards.
If you are a fan of rockabilly music, then you should definitely check out Bloodshot Bill. His music is sure to get you moving.
Bloodshot Bill live at ToBeScene Studios, Toronto
Rockabilly and Psychobilly are a global reach and have reached a full lifestyle and culture all their own. You need to look no further anywhere in the United States and even Japan to know it’s alive and kicking. Rockabilly is a Beautiful Rebellion and its forces number more each year.
Teaching the rockabilly/phycobilly guitar
There is no brakeman on the Train but each new player is pouring on another round of Coal.
Psychobilly Freakout As Taught By Jim Heath – Part 1
Psychobilly Freakout As Taught by Jim Heath Part 2
