Posted on 02/19/2008 1:52:56 PM PST by jazusamo
SPOKANE -- Charles Ryan, the Spokane man who co-wrote the hit song "Hot Rod Lincoln," has run his last road race. Ryan died Saturday at age 92 after a long battle with heart disease.
"Anyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting with, or working with Charlie, knew one thing: He was the REAL DEAL!" wrote Karl Bingle, a friend who operates the Web site www.hot-rod-lincoln.com .
"He had the kind of spirit and personality that immediately brought a smile to your face and challenged you to live life to the fullest," Bingle wrote. "His amazing contributions to country and rockabilly music will never be forgotten."
Ryan and W.S. Stevenson wrote "Hot Rod Lincoln" and Ryan first recorded it in 1955. It has been recorded many times since.
Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen made it a hit in 1972, and it has been a mainstay of popular culture for decades. The song passed the 1 million-play mark in the summer of 2000, according to Broadcast Music Inc.
Ryan was born in Graceville, Minn., on Dec. 19, 1915, grew up in Polson, Mont., and moved to Spokane in 1943. He served in the Army in World War II.
He worked as a musician and songwriter, touring with Jim Reeves, Johnny Horton and others. He married Ruth Scheffler of Polson in 1943 and they had three children.
The song was inspired by Ryan's commutes in his 1941 Lincoln from Spokane to play gigs at the Paradise Club in Lewiston, Idaho.
"One night his Lincoln chased a friend's Cadillac over the Clearwater River bridge and up the Lewiston grade," the Web site said. "The telephone poles were whizzing by so fast they looked like picket fences as Charlie later referred to in his hit song."
The song concluded with the rueful line, "Son, you're gonna drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop drivin' that Hot Rod Lincoln!"
“The song was inspired by Ryan’s commutes in his 1941 Lincoln”
I hope that was the real deal, and not just the Zephyr. If a Continental - hoowee! That’s special.
Anyway, this isn’t shocking, as Lincolns were generally known as the speedsters of the class in those eras.
Hearing this inspiration, though, I’m saddened they made it a “hot-rod Lincoln” wherein only the engine was a Lincoln, but not the body.
WOW...the rare and magnificent Mark II.
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Between the Klintoons & O’Bombers their insane prattle is priceless
Hillary just said she will grab over $55 billion from businesses to “create new jobs in Ohio”
Bozoka Huzinsane O’Bomber is of like mind!
Only 49 states left for Hillary to pimp for now I guess
IBM and hundeds of other high-tek firms are moving offshore or abroad
Do they plan to attempt to control American corporations to prevent their departure or ust nationalize them like Fidel Castro & Hugo Chavez?
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Yup!
It was a hot item when it hit the streets
Shoot, I made the mistake of mentioning politics, lol!!
The ‘prattle’ should get better and better!!
1957, perfect body, sitting in the garage. Wanna buy it??
I’m not sure but that looks like the 1 in this video (from post 11):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwky7B7upRA
which is specifically shown with Johnny Bond.
Thank you all for posting the versions.
Now I find that the ‘70s version by this Commander Cody is the 1 I like best.
I like them all, but I really like the monotone voice and the ending on this 1 best. Hot....rod.....Lincoln!
Only if it was cheap! LOL
I have a baby due next week and a still-rotting ‘79 to take care of yet!
Lol, good luck with the new baby.
Not many of that year’s MarkII made. Have no idea of the value of it now.
Like the guitar licks on Johnny Bonds rendition best.
Hard to choose.
Hot Rod Lincoln
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MS9fk1u6kA
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Good to see this thread is getting hits!
Well, I think we did our share, lol!!
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And Piper too!
You’re welcome, the OlLine Rebel!
Piper was just along for the ride, lol.
He loves car rides so much that just getting in to pull the car further back into the driveway gives him a kick!
jazusamo, I should have pinged you, sorry.
The words to the song caught my eye!
Thanks, potlatch and thank you both for the posts!
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