OLD SOUL

WELCOME…

Somewhat of a triple-header this issue, with three

THE “CHIRPING” CRICKETS

Plenty of celebratory treats to look forward to in the anniversary year of Buddy’s tragic passing, including a BBC documentary, a coffee table book and a vinyl reissue of this, The Crickets’ debut long-player

RIP Dick Dale

‘The King Of Surf Guitar’ dies, aged 81

Paul Barrett

British rock’n’roll lost one of its most faithful and charismatic figures with the death of promoter and agent Paul “Legs” Barrett from a heart attack in January. Barrett, 78, had been in poor health after a series of mini strokes in the last couple of years, but remained an enthusiastic and active figure on the scene to the end…

RARE ROCK’N’ROLL RECORDS

An early groover from Charlie Gracie, plus obscure gems from Dean Carter and Blankenship Brothers are among this month’s picks, courtesy of James Cotton, of omegaauctions.co.uk…

Haney’s Big House

Frontman Stephen Dalton talks us through the rise of a new force in vintage R&B

WINTER DANCE PARTY & RITCHIE VALENS CD

SORRY, THIS GIFT IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE UK. BUT WE

Singles & EP Reviews

This month, it’s the best of Austrian rock’n’roll, two Marcel Bontempi releases, a 24-set Best Of from rockabilly veterans Crazy Cavan ’N’ The Rhythm Rockers and much more…

Vinyl LP Reviews

Rootsy country, German rockabilly, swinging hip-shakers, early Elvis cuts and music inspired by American Graffitiare almong this month’s waxings

CD Album reviews

Among this month’s releases on shiny disc are retrospectives of Frankie Vaughan, Chubby Checker, Ritchie Valens and Conway Twitty, plus a reminder of how electrifying Jack Rabbit Slim were live, and a barnstorming first album proper from Brit band Haney’s Big House

FULL SPEED AHEAD

Rockin’ Race celebrated its quarter century in grand style this year. We donned our shades to raise a glass…

A LIFE IN Rock Roll

In this issue, Vince remembers an impromptu car drive from London to Glasgow to find fish and chips and an encounter over Guernsey with Mr Biggles…

AS TOLD TO VINCE EAGERSoundtrack of my lifeBrian “Licorice” Locking

Brian “Licorice” Locking began his career in Vince Taylor’s Playboys before joining Marty Wilde’s Wildcats, playing on such hits as Teenager In Loveand Bad Boy. He was the bass guitarist of The Shadows from 1962-63, enjoying success with Cliff’s Summer Holidaysoundtrack, Foot Tapper, Guitar Tango, Dance Onand Atlantis

OH BOY! LITTLE MISS DYNAMITE

Less than five feet tall, Brenda Lee belied her small

LINE OF COUNTRY

Buddy Holly as a country artist? It could have easily ended up that way, had the young singer’s head not been turned by the arrival of Elvis Presley in the mid-1950s…

MAKING WAVES

Dick Dale, the progenitor of surf-rock, died in March. We pay tribute to a man who invented an entire sound and influenced generations of guitarists…

WHOLE LOTTA DRUMMIN’ GOIN’ ON!

Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Johnny Cash and Billy Lee Riley all began their careers at Sun Records – and one man kept rhythm for all of them. We meet rockabilly’s greatest drummer, JM “Jimmy” Van Eaton

TOP 20 THE BEST OF OTIS BLACKWELL

You may not know the name, but you’ll certainly know the songs. As the man behind some of Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis’ most famous hits, Otis Blackwell was one of the most successful songwriters of his generation. Here is our pick of the Brooklyn-born songsmith’s greatest contributions to the canon…

BILL HALEY BEFORE THE BIG BANG!

Bill Haley was one of the main fathers of rock’n’roll, but his career didn’t start with Rock Around The Clock…

JERRY B GOODEJERRY LEE LEWIS AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY

When the call came from C&W’s showcase gig, the Killer was hell-bent on leaving an impression

ROCK’N’ ROLLIN’ STONES

In this excerpt from new book, Shake Your Hips: The Excello Records Story, Vintage Rock’s very own Randy Fox tells the story of a Nashville label unlike any other