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Scotty Moore Celebrates 75th Birthday

December 27, 2006 | People
Today - December 27th 2006 - is the 75th anniversary of Scotty Moore. Scotty played lead guitar during the legendary "That's All Right" session on July 4th 1954, the day Rock 'n' Roll was born in that tiny Sun Studio. Scotty would keep on working with Elvis until after the Comeback show in 1968.
Source:ElvisMatters
byebye wrote on December 27, 2006
Happy birthday Scott! But I dissagree that Rock´n Roll was born by the recording of "That´s all right". I´d choose "Mystery Train, Blue moon, or Baby let´s play house.. But It´s more accurate to say that the "King of Rock´n Roll" was born by the recording of "Thats all right". Ike Turner and Bill Haley was first I believe. Heartbreak Hotel is however in my opinion the first with one with a real kind of lethal attitude, both in sound,performance and lyrics. Bill´s "Rock around the clock" was harmless since it sounds like Glenn Millers "In the mood" only with lyrics added. Ooops, got carried away here, but once again -Happy birtday to Rock´n Rolls first true guitar player Scotty Moore!
Ronaldv wrote on December 27, 2006
congratulations on your birthday Scotty! 75 years of age is a milestone, we say in holland. by the way, when are you planning to come to the Netherlands again?
Ciscoking wrote on December 27, 2006
Scotty..all the best for you..
KeithJ wrote on December 27, 2006
Happy 75th Birthday Scotty, thats quite an achivement,hope you get all that you asked for.
see see rider wrote on December 27, 2006
Happy 75th Birthday Scotty, may you have many many more!!!!
DEL BOY wrote on December 27, 2006
Congratulations Scotty, and best wishes for a Very Happy Birthday. Hoping that you will be able to pop over to the U.K in the New Year.
Carl wrote on December 28, 2006
Congratulations to Scotty Moore on his 75th birthday. He is definitely one of the greatest and most important guitarists in rock and roll history. Scotty Moore's guitar solo on "That's All Right" from 1954 was one of the most influential and greatest solos in rock and roll history. That solo launched rockabilly guitar. As a 1964 album title put it, Scotty Moore played the guitar that changed the world. The "Heartbreak Hotel" solo is one of rock and roll's most important and memorable. Jimmy Page of The Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin said that when he heard Scotty Moore's solo on "Baby Let's Play House", he wanted to be a part of rock and roll. The other seminal rock and roll guitar solos were by Art Ryerson on "Crazy Man Crazy" by Bill Haley and the Comets in April, 1953 and Danny Cedrone on "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets in April, 1954 aned the 1952 solo on "Rock the Joint". These are the only other important rock and roll guitar solos. "Rocket 88" was actually by Jackie Brenston who wrote, sang lead, and played sax on the record from 1951 recorded at Sun Studios in Memphis. Ike Turner was only the piano player on that record. It was a great R & B record, but it was not rock and roll. All apologies to all the so-called experts. With the exception of Danny cedrone and Art Ryerson, Scotty Moore was the only rock and roll guitarist in the early years of rock and roll. He was among the first truly great and original rock and roll guitar players. His legacy endures.
Deke Rivers 6 wrote on December 28, 2006
Congratulation's to Scotty. I'm not a guitar fan, but Scotty played it the way I like to hear it played.
Renan Augusto wrote on December 28, 2006
Happy Birthday Mr. Scotty.
byebye wrote on December 28, 2006
-Incorrect Carl. Ike Turner wrote "Rocket 88" wich is seen as the prototype in a Rock´n Roll song (expert or not..) Brenston and his Delta Cats did in fact not even exist. Brenston was given credit for financial reasons. He did sing it though. The song was based on "Cadillac Boogie" from "47 by J. Liggins. "That´s all righ mama" was choosen since it is "The kings"´most famous early recording. "Baby let´s play house" beats the living daylight out of "That´s all right" as a rock song anyway, so there you go.. There was no contest in the "50s who was best in his area/field and named The King though.. The recording industry didn´t want a black guy like Ike who has a reputation as a bad beating husband to Tina Turner to have this "medal" in 2004. Sam Phillips knew this, and it is very clear in the documentary from 2004 about Elvis, when Sam is being confronted by Ike on this matter. Rock´n Roll was indeed born in that tiny Sun Studio, -but by the recording of "Rocket 88"(!)
Mystery Rider wrote on December 28, 2006
Happy birthday to Mr Rock N Roll Electric Guitar
Mystery Rider wrote on December 28, 2006
least we forget Mr Rufus Thomas Jr Sun 188 "tigerman" its got Thats allright beat by a year, but it was elvis looks and "color" that crossed the time barrier shame what prejudice will do, also interesting is mystery train/love my baby by Billy "the kid" emerson, listen to both sides and you can see how Elvis' Mystery train roared into the airwaves. But scottys Guitar was the leader of Elvis's recordings
Mystery Rider wrote on December 28, 2006
my head is spinning i just got out of bed i meant Jr Parker not billy the kid.....sorry
Eddie Cochran wrote on December 29, 2006
July 4th 1954? Shouldn't that be July 5th? Anyway, congrets!
Carl wrote on December 30, 2006
Scotty Moore was the first rock and roll guitar hero. No question about that. Jasper wrote that "Rocket 88" was by Ike Turner. But the actual record says: By Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats. Under the songwriting credit it says: Words and Music by Jackie Brenston. On the record it says: " Vocal by Jackie Brenston". Seems like it was a Jackie Brenston record to me. The problem is Jackie died in 1979 and Ike went on some sort of self-hype trip. Why would Ike give away his songwriting royalties and the credit to the song? Who gives away money and fame like that? Ike must be a fool or moron. "Rocket 88" was the biggest R & B record of 1951 or pretty close to it. Why doesn't Ike give away his money to me? Also, why doesn't it say: "Rocke 88" by Ike Turner? I can say that I wrote "White Christmas" and "Jingle Bells". Whoop dee doo! The fact is Ike is one big liar and a wife beater to boot. Jackie Brenston released a bunch of records on Chess including a fllow-up to "Rocket 88" and "My Real Gone Rocket". The common sense reality is that it is a Brenston song. Also, Jackie played saxophone on the record. Ike played piano. I can say Iraq has Weapons of Mass Destruction. I can say the moon is made out of cheese. Come on, use some common sense. They also said Elvis would never last and that he had no talent. Guess who's laughing now?
Carl wrote on December 30, 2006
The great thing about Scotty Moore is that he never self-hyped himself like Ike does. Scotty always had class. Ike Turner stated on a phony PBS history of rock and roll that he taught Elvis all of his stage moves. I remember watching that "documentary". Is that true Jasper? Did Ike "invent" Elvis too? Did Ike teach Elvis everything about rock and roll? Of course this is stupid. It is the whole Forrest Gump joke. Gump taught Elvis how to move on stage. Gump I guess really wrote "Rocket 88" too. Ike should get greater recognition for his role in early R & B but this self-delusion of grandeur is madness. Ike is a legend in his own mind. In fact, Ike never wrote any great, or even memorable, songs. He is know today for "Proud Mary" and as that guy that beat up Tina Turner. When that movie bio came out on Tina, I think it went to Ike's ego. Ike started thinking: Hey, I invented rock and roll! I invented Elvis A. Presley! I invented rock guitar! I invented piano in rock! But the biggest joke is his claim that he taught Elvis all his moves. He said this with a straight face in a "rockumentary". As for the whole race or "color" thing, I think it cuts both ways. Elvis was huge on the black R & B charts, he was second only to Fats Domino for the most hits on the black charts. Moral is: Black people were buying Elvis records too! They were voting with their dollars. James Brown told us what black people really thought of Elvis. Enough said. Rock on Scotty!
Greg Nolan wrote on December 30, 2006
First off, congrats to the great Scotty Moore! I had the pleasure of meeting him after a show a few years ago and had a chance to ask him about his 1960's production work with the great if somewhat less known blues harmonica / singer Frank Frost for Jewel / Paula Records...! I sort of knew he'd be tired of Elvis questions, so he did open up a bit more than those crowing about Elvis for the umpteenth time. *************** My head is spinning from some of Jesper and Carl's comments. What's with the dismissals of Ike Turner? I agree he's said and done some moronic things, but his legacy is secure even if he never went onto success with Tina Turner. I recommend his '50s work if you want to hear some great blues and R&B. These things don't have to be opposed. I like digging into all of this, even if I don't always like things people did or said. Sam Phillips and Turner are or were not saints but there legacies will remain. Jesper: "That's All Right" sounds like "In the Mood"? Give me a break. It's not Led Zeppelin or "Jailhouse Rock" but what do you want? You have to see these things in context. At that time, it was revolutionary for a white guy to sing R&B or blues and it took Dewey Phillips naming Elvis' high school to clear up any confusion on his race. No, it didn't *rock* the way some of his later tunes on Sun did, but it's part of the pantheon and remains a totally great track, no matter what it is. You don't like "That's All Right"? What are you doing here, my friend? "Rocket 88" surely deserves mention as an early "Rock'n'roll" track and always does get some mention but frankly R&B and blues had so much rock and rolling, uptempo songs for years prior that we could argue this until the cows come home. (Elvis himself even conceded this and in a way, he was totally right. ) You don't have to be an Ike Turner with a racial chip on your shoulder to know and respect the great (rockin') work of the likes of Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, and others who rocked at Sun Studios. But as we know, Elvis was a whole package (mutating gospel, country & western as well as R&B) and did reach a mass teen audience that was, yes (by numbers alone) largely white and there's nothing wrong with that. That's part of his legendary genius and we need not cower in front of those who dismiss it. Scotty was there when it started, and we love that he's still with us. Happy Birthday, Mr. Moore!
byebye wrote on December 30, 2006
About Scotty we agree Carl... But mistakes about printing, making publishing, and author deals etc happens all the time. Or do you think Presley was involved in the writing of "Heartbreak Hotel", "All shook up", or "Love me tender"? Maybe Ike is not reliable as a source alone, but one must keep in mind that no one really knows the value of a song until it´s been released and the result is evident on the charts and sales as a hit. Fame and fortune is hard to predict, and Ike could have been offered a sum that in retrospective seem very modest for giving up author rights, but might appered to be a good deal for a unemployed. uneducated 19 year old kid in "51. One thing is clear though, "Brenston and the Delta Cats" was not a real act, so there was a manipulation from the beginning on this single regarding facts, that might have been considered as a "experiment project" on the Sun label. "Rocket 88" was later recognised by Sam Philips himself as the first Rock´n Roll record made. Probably because it was the first R&B hit to appeal to a white audience. However if you look on the composion and rythm on W. Harries 1947 hit "Good Rocking Tonight" I´d say that is a true Rock song. Probably Elvis too ;)
byebye wrote on December 30, 2006
Your head is sure spinning Greg ;) If you read carefully again you´ll see that my comparsion is between "Rock around the clock" and "In the mood" as a composion. Just like "Rocket 88" is based on the instrumental swing"Cadillac boogie". Not "Thats all right"....
byebye wrote on December 30, 2006
"Composition" is the right spelling I believe. (My head is spinning too, and I cant blame it on the Champagne yet...)
Carl wrote on December 30, 2006
I just read Nick Tosches "Unsung Heroes of Rock and Roll" where he talks about Jackie Brenston. He confirms in the book that Jackie Brenston did in fact write or compose "Rocket 88" but based it on "Cadillac Boogie". Brenston talked about how he changed the lyrics and how the music he wrote was similiar to the earlier record. Two singles were released in 1951 from the Rocket sessions at Sun, one under the name: "By Ike Turner" and "Rocket 88" as "By Jackie Brenston". It looks like Ike was jealous that his 45 flopped while the Brenston 45 became a monster hit. They recorded a follow-up called "My Real Gone Rocket." Tosches has interviews with Brenston where it is proven that Brenston wrote "Rocket 88". Ike is a liar when he says he wrote that song. We have caught him in another lie. But then again, it was Ike's band and Ike was the leader of the band. I think Ike was pissed off that Jackie was the one who got the hit and he didn't. But Ike is overselling himself and his case. It shows a lack of class to me. Give Jackie Brenston his due and his propers. The cat wrote a great R & B classic and it was his raunchy singing that made the record a monster hit. Give Jackie Brenston his due. He is the real genius behind "Rocket 88", not Ike. "Rocket 88" is Jackie Brenston's baby. I think Ike is way off base here. It shows his true character, taking credit for someone else's song. To return to the "color" or race issue, it is a two way street. When black singers did "white" songs, no one ever said anything. But when white singers did "black" songs, they screamed bloody murder. No one ever accused Sonny Till and the orioles of stealing "white" music when they covered the country and western song "Crying in the Chapel". No one said it was blacks stealing off of white songwriters and the white idiom. In fact, most people don't know that was originally a country song. Most people think that song was written by Sonny Till. Wrong. When Michael Jackson was selling all those records, no one accused him of pandering to white buyers by doing "white" songs like Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" or The Beatles' "Come Together" or using Paul McCartney or Eddie Van Halen on his records. It is hypocritical. Music is music. There is good music and there is bad music. Elvis and Scotty Moore made good music. Enough said.
byebye wrote on December 30, 2006
I rest my case about "Rocket", since there are different sources pointing at different directions on this matter Carl. Maybe Brenston wrote it himself, maybe Ike struck a deal with the devil, who knows? But Heartbreak Hotel was a promise to Mae (earlier Parker´s publicity aide) by Elvis to become his first single on RCA. Thats why he got author deals. There is no nothing unclear or insulting about this .Elvis even copied the singer on the demo note by note since there was a demo for it. Elvis fullfiled his promise as we all know. Nothing to get hung up about or feel that the dark side is somehow after to hurt Elvis´name. Deals are made for different reasons, and Parker sure knew how to make the best one for him and his boy.
snyper wrote on December 30, 2006
If it weren't for Scotty Moore there would never have been a Buddy Holly, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, David Gilmore, Eddie Van Halen or countless others! It all began at SUN records. Thank You Scotty......You Rocked The World.
Mystery Rider wrote on December 30, 2006
just listen to anyway you want me (thats how i will be) now thats a Guitar player in action
Elvisy wrote on January 03, 2007
Happy Birthday Scott and all the best in the years to come! You sure are one rocker!
Devon wrote on February 18, 2007
Happy Birthday my friend, had you and bill black not took the time to see what alot of other people didnt there might not have been an Elvis. May you have many years of only the best.