Carl Perkins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carl Perkins
Perkins in 1977
Background information
Birth name	Carl Lee Perkins
Born	(1932-04-09)April 9, 1932 Tiptonville, Tennessee, U.S.
Died	January 19, 1998(1998-01-19) (aged 65) Jackson, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	Rockabilly rock and roll country
Occupation(s)	Guitarist singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1946–1998
Labels	Sun London Columbia Mercury
Associated acts	Perkins Brothers Band Million Dollar Quartet Johnny Cash Jerry Lee Lewis Elvis Presley Roy Orbison Class of '55 Waylon Jennings Willie Nelson Ringo Starr George Harrison Eric Clapton The Carter Family Charlie Daniels

Carl Lee Perkins (born April 9, 1932 – died January 19, 1998) was an American musician. He was a talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Carl Perkins was a pioneer of rockabilly and rock and roll music.

He started his music career in 1954 at Sun Studio in Memphis. Some of his most famous songs include "Blue Suede Shoes", "Honey Don't", "Matchbox", and "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby".

Many famous artists, like Elvis Presley and the Beatles, recorded his songs. This showed how important Carl Perkins was in music history. Paul McCartney of the Beatles once said that without Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles.

Carl Perkins was known as the "King of Rockabilly." He was honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also received a special Grammy Hall of Fame Award for his music.

Biography

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Carl Lee Perkins was born on April 9, 1932, in Tiptonville, Tennessee. His parents, Louise and Buck Perkins, were sharecroppers, meaning they farmed land for a share of the crops. Carl worked hard in the cotton fields with his family from a young age.

Growing up, Carl and his brothers, Jay and Clayton, listened to different kinds of music. They heard Southern gospel music in church and blues music from field workers. On Saturday nights, Carl would listen to the Grand Ole Opry radio show from Nashville.

Carl was inspired by the music he heard and wanted a guitar. His family couldn't afford one, so his dad made him one from a cigar box and a broomstick. Later, his father bought him a used guitar. When the strings broke, Carl had to tie them back together. The knots made his fingers hurt when he slid them, which led him to discover a unique way of bending notes.

Carl taught himself to play songs he heard on the Opry. He also learned a lot from an older African-American field worker named John Westbrook. John played blues and gospel music and taught Carl to truly feel the music.

In 1947, Carl's family moved closer to Memphis. Memphis was a big city known for its diverse music scene. When Carl was 14, he wrote a country song called "Let Me Take You to the Movie, Magg." This song helped him get a record deal with Sam Phillips at Sun Records.

Starting as a Performer

Carl and his brother Jay started performing in late 1946. Their first paid job was at a tavern near Jackson, Tennessee. Carl was only 14 years old. They played a fast country blues version of Bill Monroe's "Blue Moon of Kentucky."

As they became more popular, Carl convinced his brother Clayton to join the band. Clayton played the upright bass, which completed their sound. The Perkins brothers played in many local taverns and became well-known in the Jackson area.

Carl also started performing on the radio station WTJS in Jackson. He appeared on shows like Hayloft Frolic and The Early Morning Farm and Home Hour. Listeners loved their music, and soon the Perkins Brothers were the most popular band in the area.

In 1953, Carl married Valda Crider. Valda encouraged him to play music full-time. Later that year, W.S. "Fluke" Holland joined the band as their drummer. Even though Fluke had no musical experience, he had a great sense of rhythm.

Carl made tapes of his songs and sent them to big record companies like Columbia and RCA. But he didn't hear back from them. Then, in 1954, Carl and Valda heard Elvis Presley's version of "Blue Moon of Kentucky" on the radio. Carl realized that the man who recorded it, Sam Phillips, understood their music. He knew he needed to meet him.

Success with Sun Records

Carl Perkins successfully auditioned for Sam Phillips at Sun Records in October 1954. His first songs, "Movie Magg" and "Turn Around," were released in March 1955. "Turn Around" became popular in the region. Carl started performing with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and the Tennessee Two.

In the autumn of 1955, Carl wrote "Blue Suede Shoes." He got the idea after seeing a dancer get upset when his date scuffed his shoes. On December 19, 1955, Carl and his band recorded the song at Sun Studio. Sam Phillips suggested some changes to the lyrics and the song's ending.

After Elvis Presley left Sun Records, Sam Phillips told Carl, "You're my rockabilly cat now." "Blue Suede Shoes" was released on January 1, 1956, and became a huge hit! It reached number 1 on the country music chart and number 2 on the pop music chart in the United States.

Carl became the first country artist to reach number 3 on the rhythm and blues charts. He performed the song on TV shows like Ozark Jubilee. In the United Kingdom, "Blue Suede Shoes" reached number 10. It was the first song by a Sun artist to sell a million copies. The other side of the record, "Honey Don't," was later covered by famous bands like the Beatles.

Road Accident and Recovery

After a show in Norfolk, Virginia, in March 1956, the Perkins Brothers Band was traveling to New York City for a TV appearance. Early in the morning, their vehicle crashed into a pickup truck and went into a ditch. Carl was seriously injured with a broken neck and other injuries. His brother Jay also had a fractured neck and internal injuries.

While Carl was recovering, "Blue Suede Shoes" continued to be a massive hit. It sold over 500,000 copies and reached number 1 on many charts. Elvis Presley even performed "Blue Suede Shoes" on TV while Carl was still recovering.

Carl returned to performing on April 21, 1956. His brother Jay performed with a neck brace. Carl and his band finally appeared on The Perry Como Show to perform "Blue Suede Shoes."

Later Career and Collaborations

Carl Perkins continued to record and tour. He released more songs like "Boppin' the Blues" and "Dixie Fried." In February 1957, he recorded "Matchbox," which became a rockabilly classic.

Later that day, Carl had an unplanned jam session with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. This famous session became known as the Million Dollar Quartet. They played gospel, country, and R&B songs, and the recordings were released years later.

In 1958, Carl moved to Columbia Records. He wrote many songs, including "The Ballad of Boot Hill" for Johnny Cash. Carl also performed in a Filipino movie called Hawaiian Boy, where he sang "Blue Suede Shoes."

In May 1964, Carl toured Britain with Chuck Berry. He was surprised by how popular they still were there. On the last night of the tour, Carl met The Beatles. Ringo Starr asked if he could record "Honey Don't," and Carl said yes. The Beatles later recorded other Carl Perkins songs like "Matchbox" and "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby."

Carl Perkins spent ten years touring with Johnny Cash's show. He often opened for Cash at famous concerts, including those at Folsom and San Quentin prisons. He also appeared on The Johnny Cash Show on TV.

In 1969, Carl Perkins and Bob Dylan wrote a song together called "Champaign, Illinois." Carl helped Dylan finish the song, and Dylan told him to take credit for it.

In the 1980s, rockabilly music became popular again, which brought Carl Perkins back into the spotlight. In 1981, he recorded the song "Get It" with Paul McCartney. This song was on McCartney's hit album Tug of War.

In 1985, Carl re-recorded "Blue Suede Shoes" with members of the Stray Cats. In October 1985, he had a special TV show in London called Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session. He performed with famous friends like George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Ringo Starr. It was a very special moment for him.

Carl Perkins was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. His song "Blue Suede Shoes" was chosen as one of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll."

In 1986, Carl returned to Sun Studio to record the album Class of '55 with Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Roy Orbison. This album was a tribute to their early days at Sun Records.

His last album, Go Cat Go!, released in 1996, featured Carl singing duets with many famous artists, including Bono, Johnny Cash, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, and Ringo Starr. His last big concert was a charity show in London in September 1997.

Personal Life and Passing

Carl Perkins had one daughter, Debbie, and three sons, Stan, Greg, and Steve. His son Stan is also a musician and has been inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Carl Perkins passed away on January 19, 1998, at the age of 65. Many famous musicians and friends attended his funeral. He was buried in Jackson, Tennessee.

Guitar Style

Carl Perkins was known for his unique guitar playing. He used many different techniques, like finger picking and bending strings. He combined country and blues sounds in his music. His style influenced many guitarists who came after him.

Legacy

Historic marker commemorating Perkins alongside other famous peers

Continuation of the historic placard in tribute to Perkins

Carl Perkins wrote his autobiography, Go, Cat, Go, in 1996. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him among the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time."

The Beatles often performed Carl Perkins' songs in their live shows. These included "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby," "Matchbox," and "Honey Don't."

His version of "Blue Suede Shoes" was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2006. This means it's considered an important part of American history.

The Carl Perkins Arena in Jackson, Tennessee, is named in his honor.

Awards

The following recording by Carl Perkins was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. This award honors recordings that are at least 25 years old and have important historical or musical value.

Discography

Studio albums

• Dance Album (1957)
• Whole Lotta Shakin' (1958)
• Country Boy's Dream (1967)
• On Top (Columbia, 1969)
• My Kind of Country (Mercury, 1973)
• Ol' Blue Suede's Back (1978)
• Country Soul (1979)
• Disciple in Blue Suede Shoes (1984)
• Born to Rock (1989)
• Friends, Family & Legends (1992)

Collaborative albums

• Boppin' the Blues (1970, with NRBQ)
• The Million Dollar Quartet (1981, with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash)
• The Survivors (1982, with Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash)
• Class of '55 (1986, with Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash)
• 706 Re-Union (1990, with Scotty Moore)
• Carl Perkins & Sons (1993, with his sons Greg and Stan)
• Go Cat Go! (1996, with various guest stars)

Live albums

• The Carl Perkins Show (1976)
• Live at Austin City Limits (1981)
• The Silver Eagle Cross Country: Carl Perkins Live (1997)
• Live at Gilley's (1999)
• Live (2000)
• Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session (2006)

Religious albums

• Rock 'N Gospel (1979)
• Cane Creek Glory Church (1979)
• Gospel (1984)

Selected compilations

• Carl Perkins' Greatest Hits (1969, re-recordings)
• Original Golden Hits (1969)
• Mr. Country Rock (Demand, 1977)
• That Rockin' Guitar Man (1981)
• Presenting Carl Perkins (Accord, 1982)
• Every Road (Joker, 1982)
• Goin' Back to Memphis (Joker, 1982)
• Boppin' the New Bleus (1982)
• Born to Boogie (O'Hara Records, 1982)
• This Ole House (1982)
• Presenting (1982)
• The Heart and Soul of Carl Perkins (Allegiance, 1983)
• Carl Perkins (Dot, 1985)
• Original Sun Greatest Hits (1986)
• Up Through the Years 1954–57 (1986)
• Country Boy's Dream - The Dollie Masters (Bear Family, 1991)
• Take Me Back (1993)
• Back on Top - (Bear Family, 2000; 4 CDs, comprising 1968–1975)

Guest appearances

• Judds: Greatest Hits Volume II (1991)
• Philip Claypool: Perfect World (1999)

Charted albums

Charted singles

Billboard Year-end performances

See also

In Spanish: Carl Perkins para niños