The Ultimate School of Rock & Roll
Encyclopedia
The 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. It was issued as a deluxe edition with an insert booklet containing 16 printed pages with extensive photos plus exclusive liner notes by Phil York (Yorktown Digital, USA).
Credits - Compilation producer: Phil York, Digital audio restoration: Phil York for Big Y Productions, A&R/Production supervision: David Dennard, Executive producer: Sam Paulos, Mastered at Crystal Clear Studios by Keith Rust, Art direction, Design: Frank Laudo, Digital illustration: Robert Greeson, Digital scans: Marci Fermier, Liner notes: Phil York, Photographs, sound sources and memorabilia courtesy of the Gene Summers Archives, the Tom Fleeger Collection, the Phil York Archives and the Steve Bonner Collection. Special thanks to: Tom Fleeger, Jan Records, Jane Records, Song Productions, Inc., Ted Music, Steve Bonner, George Gimarc, Terry Smith, LeBill Music, Jim Lowe and Alta Records.
Session musicians -
Joe Adams - background vocals,
James Anderson - guitar;
Kevin Bailey - background vocals,
Al "TNT" Braggs - background vocals,
Bill Brown - piano,
Red Callendar - bass;
Jack Castleberry - bass,
Robert Clark - 12-string guitar, guitar,
James Clay - saxophone,
Joe Cook - guitar,
Hal Cormike - keyboards,
Ronnie Dawson - drums,
Jesse Lee Floyd - background vocals,
Paul Glen - organ,
Junior Graham - bass,
Rene Hall - guitar,
Ray Hildebrand - background vocals,
Bill Hudson - acoustic guitar,
Plas Johnson - saxophone,
Paul Kearney - background vocals,
Glenn Keener - guitar,
David (Dave) Martin - bass,
James McClung - guitar, piano,
Art McNulty - organ;
Gary Mears - guitar, background vocals,
Charlie Mendias - drums;
Marvin ("Smokey")Montgomery - banjo,
Gary Moon - drums,
Sammy Myers - organ,
Dahrell Norris - drums,
Earl Palmer - drums,
Harlan Powell - guitar,
Freddie Powers - bass,
The Joe Ramirez Combo,
Charlie Rios - bass,
Mel Robinson - saxophone,
Sol Samuels - drums,
Dave Stanley - bass,
Gene Summers - acoustic guitar, vocals,
Billy Fred Thomas - background vocals,
James Thomas - drums,
Cal Valentine - background vocals,
Robert Valentine - backgroung vocals,
Ernest Walker - organ, piano,
Benny Williams - bass,
C.B. Williams - saxophone.
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"...
. It is a compilation
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
of his biggest hits including out-takes and alternate tracks. The CD was released nationally in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by Crystal Clear Sound Records in 1997 and is still in print. It was issued as a deluxe edition with an insert booklet containing 16 printed pages with extensive photos plus exclusive liner notes by Phil York (Yorktown Digital, USA).
Credits - Compilation producer: Phil York, Digital audio restoration: Phil York for Big Y Productions, A&R/Production supervision: David Dennard, Executive producer: Sam Paulos, Mastered at Crystal Clear Studios by Keith Rust, Art direction, Design: Frank Laudo, Digital illustration: Robert Greeson, Digital scans: Marci Fermier, Liner notes: Phil York, Photographs, sound sources and memorabilia courtesy of the Gene Summers Archives, the Tom Fleeger Collection, the Phil York Archives and the Steve Bonner Collection. Special thanks to: Tom Fleeger, Jan Records, Jane Records, Song Productions, Inc., Ted Music, Steve Bonner, George Gimarc, Terry Smith, LeBill Music, Jim Lowe and Alta Records.
Session musicians -
Joe Adams - background vocals,
James Anderson - guitar;
Kevin Bailey - background vocals,
Al "TNT" Braggs - background vocals,
Bill Brown - piano,
Red Callendar - bass;
Jack Castleberry - bass,
Robert Clark - 12-string guitar, guitar,
James Clay - saxophone,
Joe Cook - guitar,
Hal Cormike - keyboards,
Ronnie Dawson - drums,
Jesse Lee Floyd - background vocals,
Paul Glen - organ,
Junior Graham - bass,
Rene Hall - guitar,
Ray Hildebrand - background vocals,
Bill Hudson - acoustic guitar,
Plas Johnson - saxophone,
Paul Kearney - background vocals,
Glenn Keener - guitar,
David (Dave) Martin - bass,
James McClung - guitar, piano,
Art McNulty - organ;
Gary Mears - guitar, background vocals,
Charlie Mendias - drums;
Marvin ("Smokey")Montgomery - banjo,
Gary Moon - drums,
Sammy Myers - organ,
Dahrell Norris - drums,
Earl Palmer - drums,
Harlan Powell - guitar,
Freddie Powers - bass,
The Joe Ramirez Combo,
Charlie Rios - bass,
Mel Robinson - saxophone,
Sol Samuels - drums,
Dave Stanley - bass,
Gene Summers - acoustic guitar, vocals,
Billy Fred Thomas - background vocals,
James Thomas - drums,
Cal Valentine - background vocals,
Robert Valentine - backgroung vocals,
Ernest Walker - organ, piano,
Benny Williams - bass,
C.B. Williams - saxophone.
Album Reviews
- "The perfect summation of Gene Summers' career, The Ultimate School of Rock & Roll offers 32 tracks spanning the years 1957-77, although the preponderance of the collection is devoted to his early rockabilly and rock'n'roll recordings. Summers was a regional artist, but his classic rockabilly sides are masterpieces of the genre. In the '60s Summers stuck with rock'n'roll instead of performing straight country like most former rockabilly artists, and his efforts from this period wouldn't sound out of place on the Nuggets box set. Also of interest is a topical song from 1968 about the theft of Bonnie (of Bonnie and Clyde fame) Parker's headstone, and a song written for Elvis on which he approximates Elvis' vocal style. A lot of care obviously went into this package, which features excellent notes, session info, photos, and numerous previously unreleased tracks." - Greg Adams, All Music Guide, 1997
- ".....All of Gene Summers’ rocking recordings together on one CD –what more could a rockabilly fan ask for? Also included are rare out-takes and previously unissued performances from the Head Teacher at the School of Rock 'n Roll." - CD Review, 1999
- "In my hands I have maybe the most complete Gene Summers compilation ever released, the best looking one for sure, this set of 35 tracks is based on another compilation released in 1997 in the USA by Crystal Clear Sound from Dallas, Texas. In order to offer the Rockabilly side of Summers the pals at Roller Coaster have excluded some of the songs from the 60's originally released by Crystal Clear and which won't be missed by the Rockabilly lovers and have added 14 unreleased tracks that are partly songs from the 50's and mostly different versions of Nervous, Twixteen, Fancy Dan and others, plus a few recordings from the early 80's made in England with the best Rockabilly musicians of the moment backing Summers. The presentation of the CD on a cardboard open out sleeve cannot be better; filled with cool pictures and a 28 page booklet in the fabulous line of the latest Rollercaster Records releases , the Rolapak rules again! A must have. -Carlos Diaz, Rock Therapy Magazine, 1999
- Rockin' Rock A Billy, February 20, 2007
"An excellent rock-a-billy CD. I'd put it at the top of my rock-a-billy collection, which is pretty good sized. A must have disc for rock-a-billy music fans. We play it a lot during the Rock-a-billy Review radio show." - The Mean-Eyed Cat, KNON-FM Radio, Dallas, Texas
- Excellent & essential, March 4, 2007
"Top notch material, revved up 3 chord R&R and a few smooth ballads. Good quality mastering (probably from vinyl but sounds very good).... I hadn't heard much about Gene until someone sent an MP3, and I got the full CD. Why he isn't up there with Gene (Vincent), Eddie (Cochran) and Buddy (Holly) I really don't know! Added many tracks to my oldies station, excellent stuff!" - AnotherMusicExpert (Duluth, MN USA)
Track listing
(A star (*) denotes a track which is previously unreleased)- 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...
- NervousNervousNervous may refer to:* The nervous system* "Nervous" , a rockabilly/doo-wop song first recorded by Gene Summers and His Rebels in 1958* Nervous Records, a UK record label* Nervous Records , a US record label-See also:...
- Straight SkirtStraight Skirt"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...
- Gotta Lotta ThatGotta Lotta That"Gotta Lotta That" is a song written by Bernice Bedwell in 1958 and published by Song Productions, BMI. It was first recorded by Gene Summers and His Rebels in 1958 and issued by Jan/Jane Records...
- I'll Never Be LonelyI'll Never Be LonelyI'll Never Be Lonely is a song written by Mary Tarver in 1958 and published by Ted Music, BMI. It was first recorded by Gene Summers and His Rebels in 1958 and issued by Jan/Jane Records that same year. "I'll Never Be Lonely" was recorded at Master Recorders in Los Angeles, California in 1958...
- TwixteenTwixteen"Twixteen" is a song written by Mary Tarver in 1958 and published by Ted Music, BMI. It was first recorded by Gene Summers and His Rebels in 1958 and issued by Jan/Jane Records...
- Someone Somewhere*
- Alabama Shake*
- Almost PersuadedAlmost Persuaded"Almost Persuaded" is a song written by Glenn Sutton and Muscle Shoals songwriter Billy Sherrill and first recorded by David Houston in 1966. It is not to be confused with the Christian hymn of the same name....
* - You Said You Loved MeYou Said You Loved MeYou Said You Loved Me is a song written by Glenn Keener in 1961 and published by Gant Music, BMI. It was first recorded by Gene Summers in 1961. The recording session took place in Fort Worth, Texas at Clifford Herring Studios. Musicians included Summers-vocals, Glenn Keener-guitar, Freddie...
- Dance Dance Dance
- If You Don't Come Home*
- Just Because
- Fancy Dan*
- Big Blue DiamondsBig Blue Diamonds"Big Blue Diamonds" is a song written by Earl J. Carson in 1950 and published by Lois Music, BMI. It was first recorded by Red Perkins and originally issued as a 78rpm single on King Records #903 b/w "Rag Man Boogie" in 1950...
- Someone Somewhere*
- Almost 12:O'Clock
- The Push*
- The Great PretenderThe Great Pretender"The Great Pretender" is a popular song recorded by The Platters, with Tony Williams on lead vocals, and released as a single on November 3, 1955. The words and music were created by Buck Ram, the Platters' manager and producer who was a successful songwriter before moving into producing and...
* - Broken Dreams*
- Alabama Shake
- The Clown
- World Of Illusion
- Cloudy Day
- Who Stole The Marker (From The Grave Of Bonnie Parker)?
- Goodbye Priscilla (Bye Bye Baby Blue)Goodbye Priscilla (Bye Bye Baby Blue)Goodbye Priscilla is a song written by Deanna Summers, David Saxton and Ben Shaw. It was published by Silicon Music, BMI in 1977 and first recorded by Gene Summers that same year...
- Suzie QSusie Q (song)"Susie Q" is a song by Louisiana-born singer and guitarist Dale Hawkins . He wrote the song himself, but when it was released, Stan Lewis, the owner of Jewel/Paula Records, and Eleanor Broadwater, the wife of Nashville DJ Gene Nobles, were also credited as co-writers to give them shares of the...
- Baby Are You Kiddin'
- TwixteenTwixteen"Twixteen" is a song written by Mary Tarver in 1958 and published by Ted Music, BMI. It was first recorded by Gene Summers and His Rebels in 1958 and issued by Jan/Jane Records...
* - NervousNervousNervous may refer to:* The nervous system* "Nervous" , a rockabilly/doo-wop song first recorded by Gene Summers and His Rebels in 1958* Nervous Records, a UK record label* Nervous Records , a US record label-See also:...
* - Rockaboogie Shake
- Gotta Lotta ThatGotta Lotta That"Gotta Lotta That" is a song written by Bernice Bedwell in 1958 and published by Song Productions, BMI. It was first recorded by Gene Summers and His Rebels in 1958 and issued by Jan/Jane Records...
*
External links
- Bob Dylan plays "School of Rock 'n Roll"
- "School of Rock 'n Roll" on YouTube
- "Alabama Shake" on YouTube
- "Straight Skirts" on YouTube
- "Nervous" on YouTube
Discography references
- Gene Summers discography from Rockin' Country Style, USA
- Gene Summers discography from Rocky Productions, FranceFranceThe 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...
- Gene Summers discography from Wangdangdula 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...
- Gene Summers session data from Tapio's Fin-A-Billy, 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...
Sources
- 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