What is Rockabilly?

by Stu Frederick of The Rivers Rockabilly Trio

"They called it Rockabilly long before they called it Rock'n'Roll!"
- Carl Perkins

What is Rockabilly?
Rockabilly is a wholly American musical style:

It has been called "Country Blues." I like to say it like this: Rockabilly is any kind of country plus any kind of blues. Add in a little jazz. Include the very essential element of gospel. That's four American music styles rolled into one!

What is Rockabilly?
Rockabilly is part of America's history:

Rockabilly was the first Rock'n'Roll music to top the charts. America and the world would never be the same. The music business suddenly had a huge new market to cater to. Teenagers! The movie industry followed suit. In fact, the very first #1 rock'n'roll song got to the top of the charts because it was used in a movie (Bill Haley's recording of "Rock Around the Clock").

More than this, rockabilly signaled social change on the horizon, especially in the segregated south. White kids were digging the music of black artists; blues players like Muddy Waters, Big Mama Thornton, and John Lee Hooker. Then artists like Big Joe Turner, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Ray Charles, and others, started putting a bigger beat in their music. Little Richard, in particular, brought the fiery energy of gospel to his rhythm and blues.

Young folks like Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Eddie Cochran were heavily influenced by the sound and performed many of the songs from the African-American repertoire. It was a musical revolution!

What is Rockabilly?
Rockabilly is a worldwide phenomenon:

Beginning in 1955 with Bill Haley and the Comets, American artists toured the world and left behind a lasting impression. Rockabilly is STILL hugely popular in many European nations and in Australia. And yet, back here in the United States, it seems as if Rockabilly was forgotten soon after Elvis' records were used to fuel the bonfires of a misguided American public.

Today, the rockabilly awareness in the US is somewhat centered around the pop success of The Stray Cats, who were very successful in the early 1980s. I credit Brian Setzer and his trio for increasing awareness of the great original tunes, which they obviously revere as much as I do.

But for those who were young during the early days of Rockabilly, the music they remember and cherish is almost never heard, except as a novelty; the oldest of Rock'n'Roll "Oldies."

NOTE: It is part of the Rivers' mission to play this music live for those folks who remember the '50s. Another part of our mission is to play it for kids, so that the music will live on...

What is Rockabilly?
Rockabilly is fun!

Rockabilly is extremely danceable; preferred by many experts right along with big band swing. Social dances popularized during World War II were still on the dance floor in the fifties. Rockabilly provided that big beat that kept the dancers dancing!

What is Rockabilly?
Rockabilly is a classic sound:

The instrumentation is built around a big bass fiddle and at least one guitar (either or both acoustic or electric). Piano is also popular. Great vocals are essential. Drums were, at first, optional, since a good "country bass" player could play a percussive sound (aka 'slap bass') along with the bass line. Until fairly recently, drums were still considered an abomination in many country venues. But when folks wanted to dance, there was no substitute for having that big beat behind the band.

To hear great examples of classic country slap bass, listen to early recordings of Elvis Presley with his sidemen, guitarist Scotty Moore and the great Bill Black on bass. It's hard to believe some of the rhythms he accomplished while providing the bass line at the same time!

Later, the bass fiddle was replaced by the bass guitar, which is much easier to play, BUT, definitely lacks the character of the "doghouse" sound. With the electric bass, the more contemporary rock band lineup was born.

However, The Rivers prefer the great original sound and performance fun of a Rockabilly trio with guitar, drums, and that big bull fiddle. Listen to one of our soundclips and you'll hear our man Bradley clickin' away just like they used to do, way back in the Rockabilly Days!

Here's a note of thanks to Vince Gordon, one of the world's best modern rockabilly artists and historians, for making sure I got my facts straight!