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Dale Hawkins

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Dale Hawkins
Birth nameDelmar Allen Hawkins
Born(1936-08-22)August 22, 1936
Goldmine Plantation, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedFebruary 13, 2010(2010-02-13) (aged 73)
Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
Genres
Years active1950s–2010
LabelsChess (Checker), London

Delmar Allen "Dale" Hawkins (August 22, 1936 – February 13, 2010)[2] was a pioneer American rock singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist who was often called the architect of swamp rock boogie.

Career

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Hawkins was born in Goldman Plantation in Richland Parish, Louisiana,[3] and while in his early teens moved with his family to Bossier City. He began recording in 1956.[4] In 1957, Hawkins was playing at Shreveport, Louisiana clubs, and although his music was influenced by the new rock and roll style of Elvis Presley and the guitar sounds of Scotty Moore, Hawkins blended that with the uniquely heavy blues sound of black Louisiana artists for his recording of his swamp-rock classic, "Susie Q."[5] Fellow Louisiana guitarist and future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer James Burton provided the signature riff and solo.[5]

The song was chosen as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. An accompanying album, Oh! Suzy Q was released in 1958. Creedence Clearwater Revival's version of the song on their 1968 debut album helped launch their career and today it is probably the best-known version.[5]

In 1958 Hawkins recorded a single of Willie Dixon's "My Babe" at the Chess Records studio in Chicago, featuring Telecaster guitarist Roy Buchanan.[6] He went on to a long and successful career. He recorded more songs for Chess into the early 1960s. However, his career was not limited to recording or performing. He hosted a teen dance party, The Dale Hawkins Show, on WCAU-TV in Philadelphia. He then became a record producer, and found success with The Uniques' "Not Too Long Ago," the Five Americans' "Western Union," and Bruce Channel's "Hey! Baby".[5] In 1998, Ace Records issued a compilation album, Dale Hawkins, Rock 'n' Roll Tornado, which contained a collection of his early works and previously unreleased material. Other recordings included his 1969 country rock album, L.A., Memphis & Tyler, Texas;[5] and a 1999 release, Wildcat Tamer, of all-new recordings that garnered Hawkins a 4-star review in Rolling Stone.

Hawkins was executive vice president of Abnak Records; Vice President, Southwest Division, Bell Records (here he produced Bruce Channel, Ronnie Self, James Bell, the Festivals, the Dolls, and the Gentrys); and A&R director, RCA West Coast Rock Division, working with Michael Nesmith and Harry Nilsson. In the 1990s, he produced "Goin Back to Mississippi" by R. L. Burnside's slide guitarist, Kenny Brown.

In October 2007, The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame honored Dale Hawkins for his contributions to Louisiana music by inducting him into The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame.[7] At the same time, he released his latest recording, "Back Down to Louisiana," inspired by a trip to his childhood home. It was recognized by the UK's music magazine, Mojo, as No. 10 in the Americana category in their 2007 Best of issue, while L.A., Memphis & Tyler, Texas was awarded No. 8 in the reissue category. Hawkins' pioneering contributions have been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Personal life

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Arkansan and Canadian musician Ronnie Hawkins was Dale Hawkins' cousin.[8]

In 2005, Hawkins was diagnosed with colon cancer and began chemotherapy while continuing to perform in the US and abroad. He died on February 13, 2010, from colon cancer in Little Rock, Arkansas.[2][9][10]

Discography

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Studio albums

  • Oh! Suzy-Q (1958)
  • LA, Memphis & Tyler, Texas (1969)
  • Wildcat Tamer (1999)
  • Back Down To Louisiana (2007)

Live album

  • Let's All Twist At The Miami Beach Peppermint Lounge (1962)

References

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  1. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (2002). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 189/90. ISBN 1-85227-937-0.
  2. ^ a b "Rock Candy: Dale Hawkins dies". www.arktimes.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2010. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
  3. ^ Tomko, Gene (2020). Encyclopedia of Louisiana Musicians: Jazz, Blues, Cajun, Creole, Zydeco, Swamp Pop, and Gospel. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press. p. 125. ISBN 9780807169322.
  4. ^ "Dale Hawkins". Beveric Records. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d e Colin Larkin, ed. (2002). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 189/90. ISBN 1-85227-937-0.
  6. ^ Roy Buchanan: American Axe. Hal Leonard Corporation. 2001. p. 46. ISBN 9780879306397. Retrieved September 7, 2011 – via Internet Archive. roy buchanan my babe.
  7. ^ Aswell, Tom (September 23, 2010). Louisiana Rocks!: The True Genesis of Rock and Roll. Pelican. ISBN 9781455607839. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
  8. ^ Obituary London Independent, February 17, 2010.
  9. ^ Nelson, Valerie J. (February 16, 2010). "Early rock star wrote classic song 'Susie-Q'". Los Angeles Times. p. AA5. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
  10. ^ Martin, Douglas (February 18, 2010). "Dale Hawkins Dies at 73; Rockabilly Author of 'Susie Q'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
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