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Memphis PlayboysThey tell us their story

Issue no 245/1/2010£3.00

This years 50’s event calendar

Step back in time to the 50’s this year

The Rockin’ n Rollin’ 50’s magazine

Shake, Rattle & Roll

Remembering Jerry Lee Lewis looking back over his legendary career

FREE

PostersConnie Francis

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P.27

“My inspiration is Elvis, Lonnie Donegal and Chuck Berry; they took rock n roll to the extreme like none of us had ever heard before“

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Memphis PlayboysThe Memphis Playboys, the 50’s rock n roll band, hit us with its pure classic 50’s sound. They don’t just look good or sound good, they are spectacular, and they’ve done it again. In this article we speak with Kevin the bass player, he takes us through the new album and the bands history.Words and photographs by Luke Davies Shake Rattle and Roll 5/1/2010

“Steve made Reet Petite come alive as if it was 1957”

“My inspiration is Elvis, Lonnie Donegal and Chuck Berry; they took rock n roll to the extreme like none of us had ever heard before“

Shake Rattle and Roll: How’s the band going? Kevin: We are going great. We’ve just come out of the studio from recording a new album and soon will be planning to get on the road again.

Shake Rattle and Roll: How did the band start?

Kevin: Well the band started 3 years ago; we all met at an American style diner called Jack Rabbit Slims. They were having a karaoke fun night and Steve started sing-ing along to Jackie Wilson’s ‘Reet Petite’, well he made the song come alive as if it was 1957. At the end of the night I walked over to Steve and congratulated him on a superb performance, he told me he wanted to try singing with a bass so we started to play the diner. The rest of the band came along soon afterwards.

S R R: Why the change of country?

Kevin: [laughs] the change of country was mainly just to give the band more an authentic scene and feel, there is another bonus with saying ‘American’. We might get gigs in America and remind them of 50’s rock ‘n’ roll we know and love over here.

S R R: What are the plans for touring?

Kevin: As far as the touring plans go, we are doing England, Scotland and Wales with 5 venues in each country. There are also 3 gigs to do in Kansas, Mississippi and finishing off on a high in Miami.

S R R: Why do you think that songs from the 50’s are more upbeat and have more of a meaning compared to the music of today?

Kevin: My personal opinion is that when rock n roll really came in to its own, rationing had ended in ’54 so the music was more of a cheery celebration. Also, it was the dawn of a new era which brings change. S R R: Who is your inspiration?

Kevin: My main inspiration has got to be Elvis and Lonnie Donegal but I would be lying if I said that I was not inspired by Chuck Berry. The reason why they inspire me is that they took rock n roll to the extreme like none of us had ever heard before.

S R R: How do you come up with the new material?

Kevin: I look back to the original artist of the 50’s for my inspiration to write new material, sometimes I can just be listening to a track and a goodlyric or piece of guitar can just come to me.

S R R: How did the collaboration with Joanne (Lola Lamour) come about?

Kevin: It all came about when Joanne was singing at Crich 1940’s weekend and the one track that was on her set we didn’t have the CD for the instrumental instead of skipping or replacing the track I played the bass to fill in for the backing track. Since then we always play a song or two with me on the bass and Joanne singing.

S R R: What are the upcoming releases?

Kevin: Yeah we’ve just come out the studio from recording a new album called Rocket Ship Mama, there are 12 new tracks including covers of Reet Petite,Cumberland gap and it’s only make believe.

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Issue no 24 5/1/2010

The Rockin’ n Rollin’ 50’s magazine

Contents

The finest band you ever wanna meet!

p. 27

Shake, Rattle & Roll

p. 2 News Latest and greatestp.7 Peoples Pages Your letters & reviews

p.10 50’s Event Calender This year’s events

p.13 Remembering Jerry Lee Lewis Looking back over the golden years

p.20 Connie Francis Poster Free A3 poster

p.22 CD Releases and Reviews Reviewing the head of the pack

p.25 Orange County Drumkit Reviewing their new kit

p.27 Memphis Playboys We find out their story

p.29 Something for the Ladies Orignal 50’s baking recipes

p.33 John Miller & his orchestra He tells us about Glenn and himself

News and Reviews

Freebies

Interviews

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