Straight Skirt
Encyclopedia
"Straight Skirt " is a song written by Mary Tarver in 1958 and published by Song Productions, BMI
the same year. It was originally recorded by Gene Summers
and his Rebels, a rockabilly
band from Dallas, Texas
and was first released in February, 1958 by Jan Records #11-100. On March 8, 1958 Cash Box Magazine
picked it as their Sleeper Of The Week. In Billboard Magazine's Reviews Of Pop Records they wrote: "The artist is backed by a chorus and cheerful rockabilly
support on this blues
. The kid's might take to this". They were right...within a few weeks of its release, Summers and his rockin' band of Rebels had their first big regional hit.
"Straight Skirt" was flipped with "School Of Rock 'n Roll" an upbeat rockabilly song written by James McClung who was a high school friend of Summers. McClung was also the original guitarist for The Rebels and would continue to work with Summers well into the mid-1960s. Their recording of "School Of Rock 'n Roll
" later became widely recognized as one of the 100 greatest rock 'n roll records.
In the 1970s, at the beginning of the rockabilly
revival in Europe
, "School Of Rock 'n Roll
" and "Straight Skirt" were re-discovered by a new legion of rockabilly fans and bands. Since that time they have become classic dance floor-fillers and have renewed Gene's career to the extent of worldwide concert appearances from 1980 to the present.
Prestige Records #PSP 0066, New Zealand
1958
Prestige Records PEP 2017, New Zealand
1958
Southern Music Publishing Company, New Zealand
1958
Music World Records MALPS-536, New Zealand
1958
Around,” “ Straight Skirt,” “ I’m Grateful,” “ How Would ‘Ya Be”
Bell Records BE-198, Australia
1958
Festival Records CD 26255, Australia
1998
Festival Records CD D26481, Australia
2000
EMI Records 5784512, New Zealand
2004
(Johnny Devlin “Straight Skirt” track #2.)
Mercury Records # , USA 1958
Mercury PYE 7MT.208, U.K. 1958
plus The Platters “Winner Take All”/”My Dream” Mercury Records MG 10114, Spain
1959
Mercury Wing Records MGW 12114 (Mono), USA 1959
(Straight Skirts- Side 2, Track 3)
Mercury Wing Records MGW 12114, Canada
1959
(Straight Skirts - Side 2, Track 3)
Ebenezer Records 01, (country) (year)
(Straight Skirts - Side 1, Track 6)
Rome Records 157, Italy
1990
Stardust Records CD 1010, USA 1996
Remember Records CD RMB 75072, Portugal
1999
Canetoad Records CTCD-1013, Australia
2007
(Straight Skirt-Track #11)
No Hit Records LP-001, U.K. 1988
No Hit Records CD-001, U.K. 1993
Crystal Clear Sound Records CD CCR 9643-2, USA 1996
Empire Records EMPCD-105, U.K. 2005
Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
the same year. It was originally recorded by Gene Summers
Gene Summers
Gene Summers is an American rock/rockabilly singer and entertainer. Some of his classic recordings include "School of Rock 'n Roll", "Straight Skirt", "Nervous", "Gotta Lotta That", "Twixteen", "Alabama Shake" and his biggest-selling single "Big Blue Diamonds"...
and his Rebels, a 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...
band from Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
and was first released in February, 1958 by Jan Records #11-100. On March 8, 1958 Cash Box Magazine
Cash Box magazine
Cashbox magazine was a weekly publication devoted to the music and coin-operated machine industries in the USA which was published from July 1942 to November 16, 1996...
picked it as their Sleeper Of The Week. In Billboard Magazine's Reviews Of Pop Records they wrote: "The artist is backed by a chorus and cheerful 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...
support on this blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
. The kid's might take to this". They were right...within a few weeks of its release, Summers and his rockin' band of Rebels had their first big regional hit.
"Straight Skirt" was flipped with "School Of Rock 'n Roll" an upbeat rockabilly song written by James McClung who was a high school friend of Summers. McClung was also the original guitarist for The Rebels and would continue to work with Summers well into the mid-1960s. Their recording of "School Of Rock 'n Roll
School of Rock 'n Roll
"School Of Rock 'n Roll" is a song composed by James McClung in 1958 and published by Song Productions, BMI the same year. It was originally recorded by Gene Summers and his Rebels, a rockabilly band from Dallas, Texas and was first released in February, 1958 by Jan Records #11-100...
" later became widely recognized as one of the 100 greatest rock 'n roll records.
In the 1970s, at the beginning of the 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...
revival in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, "School Of Rock 'n Roll
School of Rock 'n Roll
"School Of Rock 'n Roll" is a song composed by James McClung in 1958 and published by Song Productions, BMI the same year. It was originally recorded by Gene Summers and his Rebels, a rockabilly band from Dallas, Texas and was first released in February, 1958 by Jan Records #11-100...
" and "Straight Skirt" were re-discovered by a new legion of rockabilly fans and bands. Since that time they have become classic dance floor-fillers and have renewed Gene's career to the extent of worldwide concert appearances from 1980 to the present.
Reviews
- "Straight Skirt" Getting Buildup - Dallas Morning News, February 25, 1958
Back in Big DDallas, TexasDallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
after our whirlwind trip to New York, we found Dan Weisfeld camping in our office bubbling with enthusiasm about his new record company. Danny once headed the Mercury RecordsMercury RecordsMercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
distribution staff in Dallas. He had moved to the west coastWest Coast of the United StatesWest Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
a few months ago and started laying the groundwork for Jan Records in partnership with Dallas oilman Tom Fleeger. "I'm back in town to get in a few plugs for our first big release, he explained. "It's a tune called Straight Skirt by Gene SummersGene SummersGene Summers is an American rock/rockabilly singer and entertainer. Some of his classic recordings include "School of Rock 'n Roll", "Straight Skirt", "Nervous", "Gotta Lotta That", "Twixteen", "Alabama Shake" and his biggest-selling single "Big Blue Diamonds"...
and the Rebels. "Summers and his group," he continued "are students at Arlington State College. They are four of the best rock 'n roll musicians and singers I've ever heard, and the reaction to their first effort has been phenomenal. It is getting a good sendoff around the country." -Tony Zoppi, Dallas After Dark
- The Cash Box Sleeper of the Week - March 8, 1958
"STRAIGHT SKIRTS" (1:57) [Song Prod. BMI - Tarver]
Gene Summers & His Rebels (Jan 100)
"One of the best sleeper items to cross this turntable in a long while is this sensational rock and roller by newcomer Gene SummersGene SummersGene Summers is an American rock/rockabilly singer and entertainer. Some of his classic recordings include "School of Rock 'n Roll", "Straight Skirt", "Nervous", "Gotta Lotta That", "Twixteen", "Alabama Shake" and his biggest-selling single "Big Blue Diamonds"...
. The lad gets a fabulous instrumental assist as he and the Rebels high tail it thru a torrid jumper describing a teenage damsel who wears "Straight Skirts". Summers does a tremendous job with this rock-a-billy type ditty. The kids'll flip over the cute lyrics. Bottom half, "School Of Rock 'n RollSchool of Rock 'n Roll"School Of Rock 'n Roll" is a song composed by James McClung in 1958 and published by Song Productions, BMI the same year. It was originally recorded by Gene Summers and his Rebels, a rockabilly band from Dallas, Texas and was first released in February, 1958 by Jan Records #11-100...
" is still faster in tempo. Trigger fast rocker that doesn't stop driving. Keep a close watch on the upper deck. It could be a smash."
- Ramco Distributors, Phoenix, Arizona - 1958
"Hottest new platters at Ramco are "Straight Skirts" by Gene SummersGene SummersGene Summers is an American rock/rockabilly singer and entertainer. Some of his classic recordings include "School of Rock 'n Roll", "Straight Skirt", "Nervous", "Gotta Lotta That", "Twixteen", "Alabama Shake" and his biggest-selling single "Big Blue Diamonds"...
on Jan, "Cherry Pie" by Marvin & JohnnyMarvin & JohnnyMarvin & Johnny was the stage name of the 1950s American doo-wop duo. It featured Marvin Phillips and Emory "Johnny" Perry , who recorded the early doo-wop single, "Cherry Pie."-Career:...
on Kent, "Frank N. Stein" by Al Casey on Highland and "Strollin' by The Hornets on Rev. Other strong bets are "Why Does Everything Happen To Me" by B. B. KingB. B. KingRiley B. King , known by the stage name B.B. King, is an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter.Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at No.3 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. According to Edward M...
on Kent and "Billy" by Kathy Linden on Felsted."
- Top Plug Songs - Marnel of Maryland Distributors, Baltimore, Maryland - 1958
Crazy Feelin by Roy HamiltonRoy HamiltonRoy Hamilton was an American singer, who achieved major success in the US R&B and pop charts in the 1950s...
Epic 9268
Chewing Gum b/w O Bella Mia by Tommy Prisco Epic 9267
Bluebirds Over The Mountain by Ersel HickeyErsel HickeyErsel Hickey , born in Brighton, New York was a rockabilly singer best known for his hit song "Bluebirds over the Mountain".-Early life:...
Epic 9263
Miraculous Music Box by Joe Sherman Epic 9266
Straight Skirts by Gene SummersGene SummersGene Summers is an American rock/rockabilly singer and entertainer. Some of his classic recordings include "School of Rock 'n Roll", "Straight Skirt", "Nervous", "Gotta Lotta That", "Twixteen", "Alabama Shake" and his biggest-selling single "Big Blue Diamonds"...
Jan 100
Bells On My Heart by Three Pennies Golden Crest 131
Apache by The Chiefs Greenwich 408
Lonesome Train by Freddie Jacobs Web 1123
Golly Gee b/w Well Honey by Gene Bua Safari 1007
I Wonder Why by Dion & The Belmonts Laurie 3013
- Radio Events of the Day - Dallas Morning News, March 27, 1958 - Section: Part 2, Page: 7
"Pierce Allman, host of his own recorded show will feature Gene SummersGene SummersGene Summers is an American rock/rockabilly singer and entertainer. Some of his classic recordings include "School of Rock 'n Roll", "Straight Skirt", "Nervous", "Gotta Lotta That", "Twixteen", "Alabama Shake" and his biggest-selling single "Big Blue Diamonds"...
and His Rebels ("Straight Skirts") on the Thursday broadcast beginning at 9:05 PM on WFAA-570." -Source: Dallas Public LibraryDallas Public LibraryThe Dallas Public Library system serves as the municipal library system of the city of Dallas, Texas .-History:In 1899, the idea to create a free public library in Dallas was conceived by the Dallas Federation of Women's Clubs, led by president Mrs. Henry Exall. She helped raise US$11,000 from...
Cover versions of "Straight Skirt"
- Johnny DevlinJohnny DevlinJohnny Devlin, born John Lockett Devlin , was an influential early New Zealand rock musician, sometimes called "New Zealand's answer to Elvis Presley"....
& His Devils - 7” 45rpm single “Straight Skirt”/”Slipping Around”
Prestige Records #PSP 0066, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
1958
- 7” 45rpm EP Johnny DevlinJohnny DevlinJohnny Devlin, born John Lockett Devlin , was an influential early New Zealand rock musician, sometimes called "New Zealand's answer to Elvis Presley"....
“How Would Ya Be” , “Slipping Around”, “Straight Skirt”, “I’m Grateful”.
Prestige Records PEP 2017, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
1958
- Sheet Music Johnny DevlinJohnny DevlinJohnny Devlin, born John Lockett Devlin , was an influential early New Zealand rock musician, sometimes called "New Zealand's answer to Elvis Presley"....
“Straight Skirt”
Southern Music Publishing Company, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
1958
- LP Johnny DevlinJohnny DevlinJohnny Devlin, born John Lockett Devlin , was an influential early New Zealand rock musician, sometimes called "New Zealand's answer to Elvis Presley"....
“24 Golden Greats”
Music World Records MALPS-536, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
1958
- 7” 45rpm EP Johnny DevlinJohnny DevlinJohnny Devlin, born John Lockett Devlin , was an influential early New Zealand rock musician, sometimes called "New Zealand's answer to Elvis Presley"....
“Rock To Johnny Devlin” “ Slipping
Around,” “ Straight Skirt,” “ I’m Grateful,” “ How Would ‘Ya Be”
Bell Records BE-198, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
1958
- CD Johnny DevlinJohnny DevlinJohnny Devlin, born John Lockett Devlin , was an influential early New Zealand rock musician, sometimes called "New Zealand's answer to Elvis Presley"....
“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”
Festival Records CD 26255, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
1998
- CD Johnny DevlinJohnny DevlinJohnny Devlin, born John Lockett Devlin , was an influential early New Zealand rock musician, sometimes called "New Zealand's answer to Elvis Presley"....
“Lawdy Miss Clawdy-Prestige Years 1958-1959”
Festival Records CD D26481, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
2000
- CD Various Artists “The Very Best Of Kiwi Rock & Roll”
EMI Records 5784512, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
2004
(Johnny Devlin “Straight Skirt” track #2.)
- The DiamondsThe DiamondsThe Diamonds are a Canadian vocal quartet who rose to prominence in the 1950s and early 1960s with sixteen Billboard hit records. The original members were Dave Somerville , Ted Kowalski , Phil Levitt , and Bill Reed .-1950s:...
- 7” 45rpm single “Straight Skirt”/ “Patsy”
Mercury Records # , USA 1958
- 7" 45rpm single The Diamonds “Straight Skirts”/”Patsy”
Mercury PYE 7MT.208, U.K. 1958
- 7” 45rpm EP The Diamonds “Straight Skirts”/”Patsy”
plus The Platters “Winner Take All”/”My Dream” Mercury Records MG 10114, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
1959
- LP The Diamonds“America’s Famous Song Stylists”
Mercury Wing Records MGW 12114 (Mono), USA 1959
(Straight Skirts- Side 2, Track 3)
- LP The Diamonds "America’s Famous Song Stylists"
Mercury Wing Records MGW 12114, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
1959
(Straight Skirts - Side 2, Track 3)
- LP The Diamonds “The Definitive Collection Of The Diamonds”
Ebenezer Records 01, (country) (year)
(Straight Skirts - Side 1, Track 6)
- LP The Diamonds “Best Of The Diamonds”
Rome Records 157, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
1990
- CD The Diamonds “Diamonds Collection”
Stardust Records CD 1010, USA 1996
- CD The Diamonds “Little Darlin’-25 Golden Hits”
Remember Records CD RMB 75072, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
1999
- CD The Diamonds "Songbook"
Canetoad Records CTCD-1013, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
2007
(Straight Skirt-Track #11)
- Ronnie Dawson - LP Ronnie Dawson “Rockin’ Bones”
No Hit Records LP-001, U.K. 1988
- CD Ronnie Dawson “Rockin’ Bones”
No Hit Records CD-001, U.K. 1993
- CD Ronnie Dawson “Rockin’ Bones The Legendary Masters”
Crystal Clear Sound Records CD CCR 9643-2, USA 1996
- The Sureshots - CD “Rock ‘n Roll Ball” (‘Live from FinlandFinlandFinland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
’)
Empire Records EMPCD-105, U.K. 2005
External links
- Gene Summers "live" version of "Straight Skirt" on YouTube
- "Straight Skirt" (2) cover versions by The Diamonds and by Johnny Devlin on YouTube
Sources
- Liner notes "The Ultimate School Of Rock & RollThe Ultimate School of Rock & RollThe Ultimate School Of Rock & Roll is a 32-track CD by Gene Summers. It is a compilation of his biggest hits including out-takes and alternate tracks. The CD was released nationally in the United States by Crystal Clear Sound Records in 1997 and is still in print...
" 1997 USA - Article and sessionography in issue 15 (1977) of New Kommotion Magazine UK
- Article and sessionography in issue 23 (1980) of New Kommotion Magazine UK
- Feature article and sessionography in issue 74 (1999) of Rockin' Fifties Magazine GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
- Feature article with photo spread in issue 53 (2000) of Bill Griggs' Rockin' 50s Magazine USA
- Feature Article with photo spread in issue 54 (2000) of Bill Griggs' Rockin' 50s Magazine USA