1 The Collins Kids
Their flamboyant western shirts, canny knack for a melody and ergonomic close-harmony singing – all augmented with Larry’s prodigious instrumentalist skills – meant that hillbilly-rockin’ siblings Larry and Lorrie Collins quickly became a much-loved staple on US coast-to-coast television during the rock’n’roll era, specifically as cast members on L.A.’s Town Hall Party, hosted by country star Tex Ritter. The Rockabilly Hall Of Famers also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, Ed Sullivan, Dean Martin, Perry Como and Steve Allen shows – and more – as well as touring with major league stars such as Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins. Larry went on to become a successful, Grammy-nominated songwriter and the siblings performed at the UK’s Hemsby festival in the summer of 1993 to a suitably rapturous reception.