[email protected] site first published 05/August/2014
site updated on 17/September/2020 site updated on 12/August/2022 site updated on 15 /February/2023 |
CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON ABOVE TO LISTEN TO ROCKIN' 50s RADIO - 24/7/365
PLAYING ROCKABILLY,ROCK'N'ROLL,WESTERN SWING,DOO-WOP ETC LIKE IN THE CLUBS PLAYED BY YOUR ROCKIN' DJs PLUS A FEW YOUR MUMS AND DADS MIGHT
ENJOY IN THEIR FRONT ROOM, ALL ROCKIN' ALL BOPPING,JIVING AND STROLLING.
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The rockin' scene is undoubtedly very big indeed all over the world and no less in the UK, there are clubs,societies,facebook groups,shops,hairdressers you name it there is a market out there for all your rockin' needs and is refreshing to see young people whose parents were not even born in the 50s getting into the rockin' scene as I did back in 1976 during the so called rockabilly revival with bands like Crazy Cavan and Matchbox although I am not into modern rockabilly bands I prefer the original artists and recordings with the exception of the Star Gazers they were pretty good at reproducing the authentic 50s rocking sound, I saw them live three times and even bought their EP back in the early 80s.Back in the 70s we saw the birth of punk arch enemy of rockabilly there were many rumbles between teddy boys/rockabillys and punks on the kings road in Chelsea I was once chased in Ealing Broadway but fortunately the old route master was about in those days and I was able to jump on it and get away how I miss those crazy days.The old clubs were good with top DJ 50s flash at the top of the tree as far I am concerned I can still picture him now on the stage spinning top rockin' tunes as we all bopped,jived and strolled on the dance floor across london rockin' clubs. When I moved to Wembley I used to hang out in the old indoor market where there was a record stall ran by boogie Dell and Rex, I bought nearly all my wax from that stall yes folks wax there were no CDs or MP3 players back then just good old fashioned wax discs.Boogie dell also ran a club called Level One in Uxbridge where not only he played music but he also showed rockin' movies such as "Rock Rock Rock" with Alan Freed. Rockabilly music is a fusion of rock'n'roll with country music and originates from the southern states of America with an exciting slap base sound and bopping beat it's not too hard see why it appealed to the 50s teenager, many saw it as a rebellion against society with motorbike and hot rod gangs in America and unruly teddy boys in Great Britain, rockabilly was more well known in America whilst in Britain the more commercial rockin' songs and artists were more played on the jukebox in the coffee bars such as Little Richard,Jerry-Lee-Lewis,Fats Domino etc. etc.Meanwhile in America artists such as Mac Curtis and Marvin Rainwater were regularly featured on independent radio stations in the southern states whilst in New York it was more of a doo wop scene and Chicago was blues oriented. It's fair to say the best rockin' music came from across the pond although here in Britain we had some rockin' artists like Don Lang and his frantic five ,Cliff Richard but in my opinion the top two artists were Tommy Steele who was pretty good and top of the tree for me was Billy Fury, a british teenage idol you could say.The 40s played a big part in rockin' music rocket 88 was released in 1951 by Jackie Breston and put together by Ike Turner many say it was the first rock'n'roll record but it was based on cadillac boogie by Jimmy Liggins released in 1947 and great blues shouters like Joe Turner and Wynonie Harris were prominent artists in the 40s.The Andrews Sisters produced some good lindy-hop jivers in the 40s as Fifties Flash used to play in the clubs,Bill Haley himself was a top yodeler in that era and along with big band artists like count Basie,Benny Goodman and many others swing dancing was popular in the 40s.So the rockin' scene spans right across the 40s.50s.and early 60s and it continues now keep rockin' kats.
TASHA LEIGH COGGING WITH 50s FLASH<a href="http://www.internet-radio.com"> Internet Radio </a>
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ROCKABILLY RADIO CLICK HERE OR ON PHOTOFifties Flash back in the 70s when I started rockin' was top london rock'n'roll DJ by far he has since become a legend with the rockin' community of young and old and will always be respected for his vast knowledge of rockin' music and skill with the turntables it's thanks to him that I have the knowledge of the music I know and love from a young teenager till now and beyond, I still remember the Hop Bine pub in North Wembley where Flash was the DJ and indeed my first and favourite rockin' club I set foot in with a mixture of teds,rockabillys and rockers combined with needless to say top class rockin' music time travel back to the 50s was really possible for the few hours we spent jiving,bopping and strolling on the dance floor it was the best time of my teenage life, I was hooked like a fish there was nothing else I wanted in life but to rock and bop at the Hop(Bine). Sadly Fifties Flash (Keith) has not enjoyed good health for the past few years or so, as a result of a stroke he suffered, his quality of life had deteriorated considerably both financially and socially but this did not go unnoticed by his friend Natasha Leigh who took charge of his affairs and with the help of the rockin' community she and friends raised considerable capital to help the legend get back on his feet financially and organized a benefit hop at the Boston Arms for Keith with amazing response from the rockin' community all willing to help the legend, this is the level of respect we all have for this kind gentleman of rock'n'roll who gave us so much over the years, in addition Natasha had secured with the authorities suitable re-housing and physiotherapy he desperately needed, she is a remarkable friend and human being indeed and she continued to care for him with husband Lee Coggin.Sadly Keith aka Fifties Flash passed away March 29th 2020,R.I.P.
50s FLASH BENEFIT DANCE PAGE (CLICK HERE) |