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!"
Perhaps I could offer $5000? :D
You are quite welcome!!
You put that away for your baby, lol.
I think it’s quite valuable “if” you can find a buyer. They only made a little over 400 of the ‘57 Mark II’s! I have a book about it.
Tucson in 1974, Straight Shot played "Hot Rod Lincoln" at the Silver Bell Saloon on Fourth Avenue the summer Hillary helped edge out Nixon. Gloria and I on the dance floor working up a sweat.
Now for Frau Mao comes the Reversal of Fortune.
Smashing ashtrays drowned out by the sound of dual exhausts drivin' up Grapevine Hill.
Devolve was driving his TR3 to the beach, and you were madly dancing and then campaigning, lol. [and who knows what else]
The world turns now, and the stomach churns..
What year was that one devolve?
Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette
by
Tex Williams and The Texas Caravan - 1947
.
Lemme check
It was a custom convertible made during original MKII production
Naa, don’t go to any trouble over that.
Looks like Hillary is catching up some in Washington.
RIP, Mr. Ryan !! Loved that song, ya done good!
I listen to KZPS 92.5 FM here in the Dallas area.
They are our “Lone Star” station. Anything Texas.
Country, Rock, etc.
And they also say:
“If it SOUNDS good, what the hell? We’ll play it”.
They OFTEN play “Hot Rod Lincoln”, too !!
That is so cute!
You and Piper gettin’ ‘r done!
[“If it SOUNDS good, what the hell? We’ll play it”.]
Lol, sounds good to me!!
Lol, think I’ve made Piper famous!!
Now THAT is pretty. May be the same car from a different angle??
LOL!
Piper is the most well known pooch on this forum. ;o)
.
I knew you’d like that one
I cropped and upsized that photo to 600x450
Not sure if it’s the same car
Beautiful custom coastwork
Everything now - every manufacturer - looks like a blob of Silly Putty except for a few Retros and the new ‘Vette
[Piper is the most well known pooch on this forum. ;o)]
To my friends anyway, lol.
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