Posted on 02/16/2010 8:59:58 AM PST by a fool in paradise
Dale Hawkins, the rockabilly pathfinder who made a national mark with his 1957 single "Susie-Q," has died after a fight with colon cancer. He was 73. Though he was active in the studio and on stage into his 70s, Hawkins is best known for his clamorous first hit, which featured striking lead work by teenage guitarist James Burton, later a mainstay of Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley's bands.
Hawkins, who died Saturday in a Little Rock, AR, hospital, was known for his exceptional ear for guitarists: His other accompanists included Roy Buchanan and Presley's original picker, Scotty Moore.
He was born Aug. 22, 1936 in Goldmine, LA. He was exposed to blues and R&B as a teen, when he worked behind the counter in prominent Shreveport retailer Stan Lewis' record store. He cut a demo of "Susie-Q" at a local radio station in 1956. Positive listener response led Lewis to shop Hawkins to Chess Records in Chicago.
The remake of "Susie-Q," issued by Chess' Checker subsidiary, reached No. 27 on the national singles chart. He cut other singles for the label - "La-Do-Dada," "My Babe," "Tornado" - that are prized by rockabilly fans and collectors. But none made a major impact. He was popular enough to rate his own TV show in Philadelphia.
"Susie-Q" remains Hawkins' most enduring number, familiar through '60s covers by Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Rolling Stones.
During the '60s, Hawkins found success as a producer, helming such hits as the Five Americans' "Western Union" and John Fred & the Playboy Band's "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)." He also released a searing 1969 album, "L.A., Memphis & Tyler, Texas," which was re-released on CD by England's Rev-Ola.
Hawkins was sidelined by drug addiction. After kicking his habit, he left the record industry to work as a motivational speaker. In 1986, he opened a Little Rock recording studio with royalties from "Susie-Q" that had accumulated over the years.
He returned to active duty as a musician in the '90s, appearing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and releasing a hot indie-label album, "Wildcat Trainer," in 1999. In recent years, he appeared at New Orleans' Ponderosa Stomp festival.
Didn’t CCR write anything on their own?
Fortunate Son
R.I.P. Dale. Thank you.
Born on the Bayou
Green River
Run through the Jungle
Bad Moon Rising
to name a few.
Rest in peace Dale.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vzBznukA60
Dale Hawkins - Susie Q
I usually start collecting the songs when I hear that some artist has died... lately my collection is getting bigger real fast... hmmmm....
Am I old or what?
I love the way you walk
I love the way you talk
Suz-ay Q
Great song-and RIP, Dale!!
But they did get hits with number of covers (I heard it through the grapevine, Suzie-q, I put a spell on you, Good Golly Miss Molly, Proud Mary...)
Thanks! I never heard this original version of Suzy-Q before. I’m well familiar with CCR’s later version.
Oh! Suzy-Q: The Best of Dale… by Dale Hawkins (chess collection) is a good place to start.
Didn’t CCR write anything on their own?
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You will be deservedly ridiculed for asking such a question.
But on the off chance that you actually want to know the answer, check out their discography here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creedence_Clearwater_Revival_discography
They were most assuredly NOT a cover band.
Yes, but I like their originals better. Regarding Suzie Q, I only remember CCR’s version. I prefer the Hostess pastries over the song though.
Such a shame, one of the true legends, who never did get the credit he deserved.
Here’s another cut from the same cloth, who is still very much with us and if you like rocakbilly and roots rock, check out her Youtube videos old and new. She’s still got “it”:
http://www.wandajackson.com/
RIP Dale.
I was just commenting to my cousin, about how all the singers from “back in the day” are all dying off now. Pretty soon (I guess...) one gets so old that no one is still living that they knew from before. I’m starting to get that way now... LOL..
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