Twenty Flight Rock (1956) - Eddie Cochran

Like Lonnie Donegan, Eddie Cochran was another artist who deeply influenced the young Beatles, back in the the 1950s.

Cochran was an American rock pioneer, who had other hits including Summertime Blues, C'mon Everybody and Something Else.  Now, I knew all of these last 3, not least of which due to Sid Vicious doing quite straight covers of them. But the Beatles book "Shout" (see the Donegan post of mine, above) mentions his first song - Twenty Flight Rock - as one the young lads really got into.

Sadly Eddie Cochran died in a car crash in 1960.  And here's the song, possibly as JPG&R first saw it, in the 1956 film The Girl Can't Help It.

Rock Island Line (1957) - Lonnie Donegan

Beatles!  Some 30 years on I'm re-reading the excellent "Shout! - The True Story of The Beatles" by Phillip Norman.  Still have my original hardcover too.

As I may have mentioned, I'm quite into meta-influences; that is who influenced artists I like. And the book makes it clear that John and Paul et al looked up, with wonder, at Lonnie Donegan. In fact it says that "...(in 1956)...it was after seeing Lonnie Donegan that Paul began clamouring for a guitar" [p28]

The book particularly names his cover of Rock Island Line. Which I'd never heard in any form.  Thanks to the Interwebbynet thingy that was quickly rectified. And I'm impressed.

It certainly starts slowly, but then rapidly builds up as the train, travelling on the Line, accelerates away.  It's well worth a listen.

Zoot Suit Riot - Cherry Poppin' Daddies

I first heard this 1990's swinging wonder on ABC 774's breakfast radio a few years ago.  Based on the audio-only, I thought the lead singer was our own Paul McDermott (DAAS, Good News Week etc), but nope. They are a USA outfit, from Oregon way.

I also remember hearing later that they were part of a late 90's big-band, swing revival.  Wow. It must have been local and/or short lived as I would have jumped on board. Always liked swing. One of the first CDs I bought was In The Digital Mood; Glenn Millers original band recorded afresh in the 80s in "pure digital."

As for the CPDs (naughty name), get your dancing trousers on and dig this.

Boys Will Be Boys - Taste

Ahh, to be back in the mid 1970s again. These local lads came to my school to do a lunchtime gig. Probably 76 or 77.  As I was telling someone today, they were in 3 classrooms, with the partitions removed. But still had amps, PA and speakers going from the floor to the roof.  Yes, it was loud.

This is probably my favourite song of theirs. Quality of audio pretty lousy...am trying to track down a better one, but it's a bit of a rare song it seems.

Cassandra - Sherbet

I was never caught up in the Sherbet v Skyhooks 'war' of the 1970s. You, apparently, had to pick which band you supported.  I honestly liked them both. 

A very early (1973) hit for Sherbet was this wonderful piece of melodic pop. I think I liked it at the time; was only 12. Not sure about the clip - the band aren't even in it. Ah well, plenty of other chances to see the satin and flares in other clips to follow. Meanwhile sit back and enjoy this sweet, marvellous song.