Model A Blues/Rockabilly Songs

Hoogah

Hoogah

Well-known member
Next weekend is a big one for lovers of real, interesting cars in my town, with local displays of historic vehicles (my club) and a big hot rod cruise. There will be over 300 vehicles on display across two locations. I'm in heaven.

For the past 18 years I have presented a weekly blues radio program on our local community radio station. For a bit of fun, in preparation for this week's show, I set myself the challenge of rummaging through my CD collection and putting together a playlist of blues and rockabilly songs entirely devoted to specifically named cars (pre-1970) and hot rods, plus a few sympathetic tracks that aligned with this theme. I succeeded with just two exceptions (but they also had the right "feel"!).

There were three songs specifically devoted to the Model A. See attachment.

Are there other songs that you know of:
- preferably in a blues/rockabilly vein?
- or perhaps in other styles of music recorded sometime before 1960?
 

Attachments

  • JuzBloozPlaylist160105.jpg
    JuzBloozPlaylist160105.jpg
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pooch said:
Hoogah, can you state what the one song is that is the epitome of what you are after ?
Click to expand...

When I hear "rock a billy" I think of Blue Suede Shoes. This music is the precursor to the birth of rock and roll. The early works of these artists from the 50's Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Buddy Holly, Bill Haley/Comets, Jerry Lee Lewis etc,
 
I like On The Dixie Bee Line by Vernon Dalhart:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6-CjhKknYs

Strictly speaking, this is about the Model T. It was recorded in 1926. This is a Victor recording. He did a different recording for Columbia that is better. Look for:

On That Dixie Bee Line - Vernon Dalhart - Columbia 15092D Matrix W142507 - (NYC) Aug 4 1926
 
A good, fun song from 1958 is Beep, Beep by the Playmates (It is also known as Little Nash Rambler). It is not blues, and not really rockabilly, but it is a fun car song. I see you have Rocket 88 but I am not familiar with that particular singer/group. The version I am familiar with is supposedly the original by Ike Turner (before he met Tina Turner). A great rockabilly song that has lyric references "Move hot-rod, move man" is Race with the Devil by Gene Vincent.
 
Not sure if I can hep you Hoogah, when I drive my model A , I have Elvis blaring.
 
V8 Ford by Willie Love, 32 Ford by Piltdown 5, A-V8 Boogie by Jack Barrymore, Dig That Ford by Doug Harden and many more , cheers
 
KenCoupe said:
...I see you have Rocket 88 but I am not familiar with that particular singer/group. The version I am familiar with is supposedly the original by Ike Turner (before he met Tina Turner)....
Click to expand...

Actually the original was by Jackie Brenston who was the sax player in Ike's band. It's credited by some with bring the first rock 'n' roll record. Move over Bill Haley!

Some great suggestions in this thread that will add to my list. Thanks, and keep 'em coming!
 
I grew up with OLD Country music & was later immersed in REAL ROCK & ROLL, in the '50's.
When I listen to some of that, it puts me in a WHOLE DIFFERENT WORLD! I Had to LEARN to like Elvis.
Trivia: Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart & Mickey Gilley, ALL learned the Piano from the SAME Lady Teacher. Mickey Gilley was my Step Mothers' Nephew!
Bill W.
 
not quite the right genre, but 'Mean Model A" by the Boss martians is pretty fun. It is on the "13 Evil Tales" CD. "Tombstone track" on the same CD is also worth a listen.
 
Hey Hoogah, "Maybelline" by Chuck Berry. 1950's race between a Cadillac and a V-8 Ford. Strictly speaking its rhythm and blues, but has a definite rockabilly beat. "Cadillac look like its standin' still, and I caught Maybelline at the top of the hill..."
HooHah!

Chris
 
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