Carl Lee Perkins was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rockabilly great and pioneer of rock and roll, he began his recording career at the Sun Studio, in Memphis, beginning in 1954. Among his best-known songs are "Blue Suede Shoes", "Honey Don't", "Matchbox" and "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby".
Perkins in 1977
Perkins (front) performing "Glad All Over" with (left to right) Clayton Perkins, W.S. "Fluke" Holland, and Jay Perkins in the 1957 movie Jamboree
Historic marker commemorating Perkins alongside other famous peers
Continuation of the historic placard in tribute to Perkins
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music. It dates back to the early 1950s in the United States, especially the South. As a genre it blends the sound of Western musical styles such as country with that of rhythm and blues, leading to what is considered "classic" rock and roll. Some have also described it as a blend of bluegrass with rock and roll. The term "rockabilly" itself is a portmanteau of "rock" and "hillbilly", the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style. Other important influences on rockabilly include western swing, boogie-woogie, jump blues, and electric blues.
Classic instruments associated with rockabilly are a hollow-body guitar, an upright bass, and a pared-down drum kit
Elvis Presley in a promotion shot for Jailhouse Rock in 1957
Bill Haley and His Comets during a TV appearance.
Teddy & The Tigers, a Finnish rockabilly band from Kerava, pictured in Helsinki, 1978