Post by Rob Durkee on Feb 16, 2010 20:31:06 GMT -5
By ROCKIN' ROBIN
Dale Hawkins, who was most famous for the original version of "Susie-Q" in 1957, died Saturday (February 13, 2010) in Little Rock. He was 73. According to Hawkins' website and Valerie J. Nelson of the Los Angeles Times, Hawkins had been diagnosed with colon cancer more than four years ago.
Ironically, the lesser-known "La-Do-Dada" was Hawkins' biggest Cash Box chart single, reaching #35 in 1958. "Susie-Q," meanwhile, reached #47 but is still by far Hawkins' most remembered song. The Rolling Stones remade the song. So did Creedence Clearwater Revival, making it the group's first Top 40 hit and a #9 peaker on the Cash Box chart. In the allmusic internet database, historian Richie Unterberger described "Susie-Q" this way: "With its crackling bluesy guitar and insistent cowbell, (the song) was one of the most exciting early rockabilly singles."
Dale Hawkins had two other Cash Box pop chart hits with "A House, A Car And A Wedding Ring" (#57) and "Class Cutter (Yeah Yeah)," which reached #60.
Demar Allen Hawkins was born August 22, 1936 on a plantation in Gold Mine, La. He'd learn to enjoy country-western and blues music while riding with his grandfather, a sheriff, on Saturday night patrols. When he was 16, Hawkins lied about his age to join the Army and serve in the Korean War. He formed a small combo in 1955 that included a then-teenage James Burton, whose guitar lick was important in the popularity of "Susie-Q." When Bill Haley and the Comets hit with "See You Later, Alligator," Hawkins did a parody answer record with "See You Soon, Baboon." Hawkins' early releases also included "My Babe."
Hawkins became a producer in the 1960's. Sources differ as to whether or not Hawkins produced Bruce Channel's 1962 #1 hit, "Hey Baby." Hawkins may have also produced "Western Union" by the Five Americans. He went through a long drug rehab program in the early 80's and would eventually start a crisis-intervention program for teenagers in the South.
When asked for musical advice, Hawkins said, "Study the masters, man. Grab the roots and see how it evolved and know what's real." Hawkins is survived by sons Jeffrey and Jay Paul, a brother, sister and three grandchildren.
Dale Hawkins, who was most famous for the original version of "Susie-Q" in 1957, died Saturday (February 13, 2010) in Little Rock. He was 73. According to Hawkins' website and Valerie J. Nelson of the Los Angeles Times, Hawkins had been diagnosed with colon cancer more than four years ago.
Ironically, the lesser-known "La-Do-Dada" was Hawkins' biggest Cash Box chart single, reaching #35 in 1958. "Susie-Q," meanwhile, reached #47 but is still by far Hawkins' most remembered song. The Rolling Stones remade the song. So did Creedence Clearwater Revival, making it the group's first Top 40 hit and a #9 peaker on the Cash Box chart. In the allmusic internet database, historian Richie Unterberger described "Susie-Q" this way: "With its crackling bluesy guitar and insistent cowbell, (the song) was one of the most exciting early rockabilly singles."
Dale Hawkins had two other Cash Box pop chart hits with "A House, A Car And A Wedding Ring" (#57) and "Class Cutter (Yeah Yeah)," which reached #60.
Demar Allen Hawkins was born August 22, 1936 on a plantation in Gold Mine, La. He'd learn to enjoy country-western and blues music while riding with his grandfather, a sheriff, on Saturday night patrols. When he was 16, Hawkins lied about his age to join the Army and serve in the Korean War. He formed a small combo in 1955 that included a then-teenage James Burton, whose guitar lick was important in the popularity of "Susie-Q." When Bill Haley and the Comets hit with "See You Later, Alligator," Hawkins did a parody answer record with "See You Soon, Baboon." Hawkins' early releases also included "My Babe."
Hawkins became a producer in the 1960's. Sources differ as to whether or not Hawkins produced Bruce Channel's 1962 #1 hit, "Hey Baby." Hawkins may have also produced "Western Union" by the Five Americans. He went through a long drug rehab program in the early 80's and would eventually start a crisis-intervention program for teenagers in the South.
When asked for musical advice, Hawkins said, "Study the masters, man. Grab the roots and see how it evolved and know what's real." Hawkins is survived by sons Jeffrey and Jay Paul, a brother, sister and three grandchildren.