Charlie Feathers
Encyclopedia
Charles Arthur "Charlie" Feathers (June 12, 1932 – August 29, 1998) was an influential American
rockabilly
and country music
performer.
, and recorded a string of popular singles like "Peepin' Eyes," "Defrost Your Heart," "Tongue-Tied Jill," and "Bottle to the Baby" on Sun Records
, Meteor
and King Records
in the 1950s.
Feathers was known for being a master of shifting emotional and sonic dynamics in his songs. His theatrical, hiccup-styled, energetic, rockabilly vocal style inspired a later generation of rock vocalists, including Lux Interior of The Cramps
.
He studied and recorded several songs with Junior Kimbrough
, whom he called "the beginning and end of all music". His childhood influences were reflected in his later music of the 1970s and 1980s, which had an easy-paced, sometimes sinister, country-blues
tempo, as opposed to the frenetic fast-paced style favored by some of his rockabilly colleagues of the 1950s.
He started out as a session musician at Sun Studios, playing any side instrument he could in the hopes of someday making his own music there. He eventually played on a small label started by Sam Phillips
called Flip records which got him enough attention to record a couple singles for Sun Records
and Holiday Inn Records
. By all accounts the singer was not held in much regard by Phillips, but Feathers often made the audacious claim that he had arranged "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky
" for Elvis Presley
and recorded "Good Rockin' Tonight" months before Presley. He also claimed that his "We're Getting Closer (To Being Apart)" had been intended to be Elvis' sixth single for Sun. He did, however, get his name on one of Elvis' Sun records, "I Forgot To Remember To Forget" when the writer Stan Kesler asked him to record a demo of the song.
He then moved on to Meteor Records
and then King Records
where he recorded his best-known work. When his King contract ran out he still continued to perform, although Feathers—perhaps typically—thought there was a conspiracy to keep his music from gaining the popularity it deserved.
In the mid-1980s, he performed at times at new music nightclubs like the Antenna Club in Memphis, Tennessee
, sharing the bill with rock-and-roll
bands like Tav Falco's Panther Burns
, who, as devoted fans of Feathers, had introduced him to their label's president.
During this time, rockabilly icon Colonel Robert Morris played drums for Charlie. Charlie said "Robert tore up a brand new set of drums, but the crowd was dancing on the tables".
He released his New Jungle Fever album in 1987 and Honkey Tonk Man in 1988, featuring the lead guitar work of his son, Bubba Feathers. These later albums of original songs penned by Feathers were released on the French
label New Rose Records, whose other 1980s releases included albums by cult music heroes like Johnny Thunders
, Alex Chilton
, Roky Erickson
, The Cramps
, The Gun Club, and others.
Feathers' song, "That Certain Female" was featured on the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino
's 2003 film, Kill Bill Vol. 1. His "Can't Hardly Stand It" was featured on the follow-up Kill Bill Vol. 2 soundtrack.
He died on August 29, 1998 of complications from a stroke
-induced coma.
Charlie Feathers' pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame
. Bob Dylan
has featured Charlie Feathers on the second season of his XM Satellite Radio
Show Theme Time Radio Hour
, playing Feathers' records "One Hand Loose" (on the "Countdown" show, Dec. 12, 2007) and "Defrost Your Heart" (on the "Cold" show, April 2, 2008).
note: the Feathers 45s were private releases, sold at Charlie Feathers' concerts
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
and country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
performer.
Biography
Feathers was born in Holly Springs, MississippiHolly Springs, Mississippi
Holly Springs is a city in Marshall County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 7,957 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Marshall County. A short drive from Memphis, Tennessee, Holly Springs is the site of a number of well-preserved antebellum homes and other structures and...
, and recorded a string of popular singles like "Peepin' Eyes," "Defrost Your Heart," "Tongue-Tied Jill," and "Bottle to the Baby" on Sun Records
Sun Records
Sun Records is a record label founded in Memphis, Tennessee, starting operations on March 27, 1952.Founded by Sam Phillips, Sun Records was known for giving notable musicians such as Elvis Presley , Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash...
, Meteor
Meteor Records
Meteor Records was a record label started by the Bihari brothers, owners of Modern Records in Los Angeles, in 1952 in Memphis. The label, to be run by Lester Bihari, was a bold experiment to broaden the talent base by focusing on signing and recording Southern regional talent by having recording...
and King Records
King Records (USA)
King Records is an American record label, started in 1943 by Syd Nathan and originally headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.-History:At first it specialized in country music, at the time still known as "hillbilly music." King advertised, "If it's a King, It's a Hillbilly -- If it's a Hillbilly, it's a...
in the 1950s.
Feathers was known for being a master of shifting emotional and sonic dynamics in his songs. His theatrical, hiccup-styled, energetic, rockabilly vocal style inspired a later generation of rock vocalists, including Lux Interior of The Cramps
The Cramps
The Cramps were an American rock band, formed in 1976 and active until 2009. The band split after the death of lead singer Lux Interior. Their line-up rotated much over their existence, with the husband and wife duo of Interior and lead guitarist Poison Ivy the only permanent members...
.
He studied and recorded several songs with Junior Kimbrough
Junior Kimbrough
David "Junior" Kimbrough was an American blues musician. His best known work included "Keep Your Hands Off Her" and "All Night Long". Music journalist Tony Russell stated "his raw, repetitive style suggests an archaic forebear of John Lee Hooker, a character his music shares with that of fellow...
, whom he called "the beginning and end of all music". His childhood influences were reflected in his later music of the 1970s and 1980s, which had an easy-paced, sometimes sinister, country-blues
Country blues
Country blues is a general term that refers to all the acoustic, mainly guitar-driven forms of the blues. It often incorporated elements of rural gospel, ragtime, hillbilly, and dixieland jazz...
tempo, as opposed to the frenetic fast-paced style favored by some of his rockabilly colleagues of the 1950s.
He started out as a session musician at Sun Studios, playing any side instrument he could in the hopes of someday making his own music there. He eventually played on a small label started by Sam Phillips
Sam Phillips
Samuel Cornelius Phillips , better known as Sam Phillips, was an American businessman, record executive, record producer and DJ who played an important role in the emergence of rock and roll as the major form of popular music in the 1950s...
called Flip records which got him enough attention to record a couple singles for Sun Records
Sun Records
Sun Records is a record label founded in Memphis, Tennessee, starting operations on March 27, 1952.Founded by Sam Phillips, Sun Records was known for giving notable musicians such as Elvis Presley , Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash...
and Holiday Inn Records
Holiday Inn Records
Holiday Inn Records was a record label founded by D. Wayne Foster in 1961. It was initially intended as a creative outlet for Foster and Kemmons Wilson, as an independent business venture...
. By all accounts the singer was not held in much regard by Phillips, but Feathers often made the audacious claim that he had arranged "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky
Blue Moon of Kentucky
"Blue Moon of Kentucky" is a waltz written in 1946 by bluegrass musician Bill Monroe and recorded by his band, The Blue Grass Boys. The song has since been recorded by many artists, including Elvis Presley....
" for Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
and recorded "Good Rockin' Tonight" months before Presley. He also claimed that his "We're Getting Closer (To Being Apart)" had been intended to be Elvis' sixth single for Sun. He did, however, get his name on one of Elvis' Sun records, "I Forgot To Remember To Forget" when the writer Stan Kesler asked him to record a demo of the song.
He then moved on to Meteor Records
Meteor Records
Meteor Records was a record label started by the Bihari brothers, owners of Modern Records in Los Angeles, in 1952 in Memphis. The label, to be run by Lester Bihari, was a bold experiment to broaden the talent base by focusing on signing and recording Southern regional talent by having recording...
and then King Records
King Records (USA)
King Records is an American record label, started in 1943 by Syd Nathan and originally headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.-History:At first it specialized in country music, at the time still known as "hillbilly music." King advertised, "If it's a King, It's a Hillbilly -- If it's a Hillbilly, it's a...
where he recorded his best-known work. When his King contract ran out he still continued to perform, although Feathers—perhaps typically—thought there was a conspiracy to keep his music from gaining the popularity it deserved.
In the mid-1980s, he performed at times at new music nightclubs like the Antenna Club in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, sharing the bill with rock-and-roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
bands like Tav Falco's Panther Burns
Tav Falco's Panther Burns
Tav Falco's Panther Burns, sometimes shortened to Panther Burns, is a rock band originally from Memphis, Tennessee, United States, led by Tav Falco...
, who, as devoted fans of Feathers, had introduced him to their label's president.
During this time, rockabilly icon Colonel Robert Morris played drums for Charlie. Charlie said "Robert tore up a brand new set of drums, but the crowd was dancing on the tables".
He released his New Jungle Fever album in 1987 and Honkey Tonk Man in 1988, featuring the lead guitar work of his son, Bubba Feathers. These later albums of original songs penned by Feathers were released on the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
label New Rose Records, whose other 1980s releases included albums by cult music heroes like Johnny Thunders
Johnny Thunders
Johnny Thunders, born John Anthony Genzale, Jr. , was an American protopunk guitarist, singer and songwriter.He came to prominence in the early '70s as a member of the New York Dolls...
, Alex Chilton
Alex Chilton
William Alexander "Alex" Chilton was an American songwriter, guitarist, singer and producer, best known as the lead singer of the Box Tops and Big Star...
, Roky Erickson
Roky Erickson
Roky Erickson is an American singer, songwriter, harmonica player and guitarist from Texas. He was a founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre.-Biography:...
, The Cramps
The Cramps
The Cramps were an American rock band, formed in 1976 and active until 2009. The band split after the death of lead singer Lux Interior. Their line-up rotated much over their existence, with the husband and wife duo of Interior and lead guitarist Poison Ivy the only permanent members...
, The Gun Club, and others.
Feathers' song, "That Certain Female" was featured on the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Jerome Tarantino is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor. In the early 1990s, he began his career as an independent filmmaker with films employing nonlinear storylines and the aestheticization of violence...
's 2003 film, Kill Bill Vol. 1. His "Can't Hardly Stand It" was featured on the follow-up Kill Bill Vol. 2 soundtrack.
He died on August 29, 1998 of complications from a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
-induced coma.
Charlie Feathers' pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame
Rockabilly Hall of Fame
The Rockabilly Hall of Fame was established on the internet on March 21, 1997, to present early rock and roll history and information relative to the artists and personalities involved in this pioneering American music genre....
. Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
has featured Charlie Feathers on the second season of his XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
Show Theme Time Radio Hour
Theme Time Radio Hour
Theme Time Radio Hour was a weekly, one-hour satellite radio show hosted by Bob Dylan originally airing from May 2006 to April 2009...
, playing Feathers' records "One Hand Loose" (on the "Countdown" show, Dec. 12, 2007) and "Defrost Your Heart" (on the "Cold" show, April 2, 2008).
Albums
- Good Rockin' Tonight (recorded in 1973, released in 1974)
- Live In Memphis (recorded in 1973, released in 1976)
- That Rockabilly Cat (recorded 1968, released 1979)
- Rockabilly – Charlie Feathers Vol. 1 (1979)
- Charlie Feathers Vol. 2 (1979)
- Rockabilly Rhythm (recorded 1973, released 1981)
- Original TV Soundtrack NBC 1979 (1981)
- New Jungle Fever (1987)
- Honky Tonk Man (1988)
- Charlie Feathers (1991)
- I Ain't Done Yet (1993)
- Tip Top Daddy (Demos recorded 1958–1973, released 1995)
- Live In London (recorded 1990, released 2000)
- Live In Paris '87 (recorded 1987, released 2002)
Compilations
- Get With It: Essential Recordings (early singles and unreleased tracks, 2 CDs, 1998)
- Wild Side Of Life (rare and unreleased tracks, 2008)
- Honky Tonk Kind (rare and unreleased tracks, 2008)
- Long Time Ago (rare and unreleased tracks, 2008)
Singles
- Flip 503 - I've Been Deceived / Peepin' Eyes (April 1955)
- Sun 231 - Defrost Your Heart / Wedding Gown of White (January 1956)
- Meteor 5032 - Get With It / Tongue-Tied Jill (June 1956)
- King 4971 - Can't Hardly Stand It / Everybody's Lovin' My Baby (October 1956)
- King 4997 - One Hand Loose / Bottle to the Baby (December 1956)
- King 5022 - When You Decide / Nobody's Woman (February 1957)
- King 5043 - Too Much Alike / When You Come Around (April 1957)
- Kay 1001 - Jungle Fever / Why Don't You (June 1960)
- Wal-May 101 - Dinky John / South of Chicago (as "Charlie Morgan", July 1960)
- Memphis 103 - Wild Wild Party / Today and Tomorrow (December 1961)
- Holiday Inn 114 - Nobody's Darlin' / Deep Elm Blues (April 1963)
- Philwood P-223 - Tear It Up / Stutterin' Cindy (1971)
- Pompadour 231 - Wedding Gown of White / Uh Huh Honey (1973)
- Rollin' Rock 45-025 - That Certain Female / She Set Me Free (1974)
- Vetco 921 - Will You Be Satisfied That Way / It's Just That Song (1976)
- Vetco 922 - We're Getting Closer / You Make It Look So Easy (1976)
- Feathers 791104 - Blue Suede Shoes / We're Getting Closer (1979)
- Feathers 791105 - Ooby Dooby / If You Were Mine to Lose (1979)
- Feathers 3 - Cold Dark Night / Blame It On Time (early 1980s)
- Feathers 4 - Today I Started Loving You Again / Folsom Prison Blues (early 1980s)
- Feathers 5 - Jungle Fever / Jewel Here on Earth (early 1980s)
- Feathers 6 - He'll Have to Go / Will The Circle Be Unbroken (early 1980s)
- Feathers 7 - Honky Tonk Man / That's Alright, Mama (early 1980s)
- Feathers 8 - Roll Over Beethoven / Swinging Doors (early 1980s)
- Feathers 9 - In the Pines / I Must Move On (early 1980s)
- Feathers 10 - One Black Rat / Dig Myself a Hole (early 1980s)
- Feathers 11 - Lonesome Whistle / Cockroach (early 1980s)
- Feathers 12 - Who Da Say / Roll Over Beethoven – diff. version (early 1980s)
- Feathers 13 - Working on a Building / You Believe Everyone But Me (early 1980s)
note: the Feathers 45s were private releases, sold at Charlie Feathers' concerts