Roddy Jackson
Encyclopedia
George Rodrick "Roddy" Jackson (born 9 April 1942) is an American
rockabilly
and rock and roll
singer, songwriter, pianist and saxophonist, who recorded for Specialty Records
in the 1950s.
, moving to Merced
as a child. His father was a singer and pianist who toured with The Sons of the Pioneers. Jackson learned to play drums and piano, forming his first group, The Dreamers, when aged 12 in 1954, and began performing on radio station KYOS
. He also learned to play clarinet, trumpet and trombone, but concentrated on the alto saxophone
and later tenor sax.
In 1956, after becoming influenced by Fats Domino
and Little Richard
, he formed a new multi-racial rock and roll band, the Blue Notes, from among his friends at high school
. They quickly became popular around Merced, and were mentored by local fire chief George Coolures, who helped win them an audition at Specialty Records
with the label's A&R
man, Sonny Bono
. Bono convinced label owner Art Rupe
to sign Jackson as a solo artist, but not the rest of the Blue Notes. The Blue Notes continued to perform with Jackson for a while, but did not play on his records. After Jackson left the band, Coolures replaced him on stage, and, renamed as the Merced Blue Notes, they remained a popular live act in the area into the 1960s.
Jackson's first session as a solo singer was in December 1957, when he recorded Sonny Bono's composition "I've Got My Sights On Someone New" with a band comprising René Hall
(guitar), Red Callender
(bass), and Earl Palmer
(drums). Backed by "Love At First Sight", the record became a regional hit, and Decca Records
tried to buy out his recording contract, but Rupe refused and also turned down an offer for Jackson to appear on Dick Clark's American Bandstand
. Jackson returned to the studio in September 1958 to record his second single, "Hiccups", a novelty song written by studio pianist Al Hazan (who later featured on the hit "Nut Rocker
" credited to B. Bumble and the Stingers
) and produced, like his other records, by Bono. However, the record failed to chart, a fate also suffered by his third Specialty single, "Any Old Town" / "Gloria", recorded in March 1959 with Hall, Palmer, and saxophonist Lee Allen
. According to writer Steve Leggett, "Jackson was the real deal, an exciting performer who shouted out his material with explosive force, pummelling the piano like it was a personal threat to his well-being, and occasionally showing off his considerable saxophone skills as well." Jackson also wrote songs, co-writing Larry Williams
' "She Said Yeah" with Sonny Bono, who used the pseudonym Don Christy; the song was later recorded by The Rolling Stones
, The Animals
and others.
Jackson did not record in later years, but continued to make occasional local performances. He re-emerged more publicly in the 1990s, and started making regular festival appearances in Britain, France
and elsewhere. A compilation album, Central Valley Fireball, comprising his Specialty singles together with unreleased recordings, was issued by Ace Records in 2007.
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 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...
singer, songwriter, pianist and saxophonist, who recorded for Specialty Records
Specialty Records
Specialty Records was an American record label based in Los Angeles. It was originally launched as Juke Box Records in 1946, but later renamed by its owner Art Rupe when he parted company with a couple of his original partners...
in the 1950s.
Life and career
He was born in Fresno, CaliforniaFresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
, moving to Merced
Merced, California
Merced is a city in, and the county seat of, Merced County, California in the San Joaquin Valley of Northern California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 78,958. Incorporated in 1889, Merced is a charter city that operates under a council-manager government...
as a child. His father was a singer and pianist who toured with The Sons of the Pioneers. Jackson learned to play drums and piano, forming his first group, The Dreamers, when aged 12 in 1954, and began performing on radio station KYOS
KYOS
KYOS is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Merced, California, USA, the station serves the Merced area. The station is currently owned by Mapleton License of Merced, LLC and features programing from ABC Radio, Premiere Radio Networks and Talk Radio Network. ...
. He also learned to play clarinet, trumpet and trombone, but concentrated on the alto saxophone
Alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
and later tenor sax.
In 1956, after becoming influenced by Fats Domino
Fats Domino
Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino, Jr. is an American R&B and rock and roll pianist and singer-songwriter. He was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Creole was his first language....
and Little Richard
Little Richard
Richard Wayne Penniman , known by the stage name Little Richard, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, and actor, considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. He was also the first artist to put the funk in the rock and roll beat and...
, he formed a new multi-racial rock and roll band, the Blue Notes, from among his friends at high school
Merced High School
Merced High School is located in Merced, California as a part of the Merced Union High School District. The high school district added a second high school in 1960 which was built and named El Capitan High School. [Note: you need to find out the facts on the rest of this...
. They quickly became popular around Merced, and were mentored by local fire chief George Coolures, who helped win them an audition at Specialty Records
Specialty Records
Specialty Records was an American record label based in Los Angeles. It was originally launched as Juke Box Records in 1946, but later renamed by its owner Art Rupe when he parted company with a couple of his original partners...
with the label's A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
man, Sonny Bono
Sonny Bono
Salvatore Phillip "Sonny" Bono was an American recording artist, record producer, actor, and politician whose career spanned over three decades.-Early life:...
. Bono convinced label owner Art Rupe
Art Rupe
Arthur N. "Art" Rupe is an American music industry executive and record producer. He started Specialty Records, noted for its rhythm & blues, blues, gospel and early rock and roll music recordings, in Los Angeles in 1946.-Career:Born in the Pittsburgh suburb of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Rupe...
to sign Jackson as a solo artist, but not the rest of the Blue Notes. The Blue Notes continued to perform with Jackson for a while, but did not play on his records. After Jackson left the band, Coolures replaced him on stage, and, renamed as the Merced Blue Notes, they remained a popular live act in the area into the 1960s.
Jackson's first session as a solo singer was in December 1957, when he recorded Sonny Bono's composition "I've Got My Sights On Someone New" with a band comprising René Hall
René Hall
René Hall , was an American guitarist and music arranger.He was born in Morgan City, Louisiana, and first recorded as a banjo player with Joseph Robichaux in New Orleans in 1933. He then worked around the country as a member of the Ernie Fields Orchestra, before joining Earl Hines as musical arranger...
(guitar), Red Callender
Red Callender
Red Callender, , was a jazz bass and tuba player, famous for turning down a chance to work with Duke Ellington's Orchestra and the Louis Armstrong All-Stars....
(bass), and Earl Palmer
Earl Palmer
Earl Cyril Palmer was an American rock & roll and rhythm and blues drummer, and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame....
(drums). Backed by "Love At First Sight", the record became a regional hit, and Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
tried to buy out his recording contract, but Rupe refused and also turned down an offer for Jackson to appear on Dick Clark's American Bandstand
American Bandstand
American Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
. Jackson returned to the studio in September 1958 to record his second single, "Hiccups", a novelty song written by studio pianist Al Hazan (who later featured on the hit "Nut Rocker
Nut Rocker
-External links:**...
" credited to B. Bumble and the Stingers
B. Bumble and the Stingers
B. Bumble and the Stingers were an American instrumental ensemble in the early 1960s, who specialized in making rock and roll arrangements of classical melodies. Their biggest hits were "Bumble Boogie" and "Nut Rocker", which reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in 1962...
) and produced, like his other records, by Bono. However, the record failed to chart, a fate also suffered by his third Specialty single, "Any Old Town" / "Gloria", recorded in March 1959 with Hall, Palmer, and saxophonist Lee Allen
Lee Allen (musician)
Lee Allen was an American tenor saxophone player born in Pittsburg, Kansas.A key figure in the New Orleans rock and roll scene of the 1950s, Allen recorded with many leading performers of the early rock and roll era...
. According to writer Steve Leggett, "Jackson was the real deal, an exciting performer who shouted out his material with explosive force, pummelling the piano like it was a personal threat to his well-being, and occasionally showing off his considerable saxophone skills as well." Jackson also wrote songs, co-writing Larry Williams
Larry Williams
Larry Williams was an American rhythm and blues and rock and roll singer, songwriter, producer, and pianist from New Orleans, Louisiana...
' "She Said Yeah" with Sonny Bono, who used the pseudonym Don Christy; the song was later recorded by The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, The Animals
The Animals
The Animals were an English music group of the 1960s formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during the early part of the decade, and later relocated to London...
and others.
Jackson did not record in later years, but continued to make occasional local performances. He re-emerged more publicly in the 1990s, and started making regular festival appearances in Britain, France
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...
and elsewhere. A compilation album, Central Valley Fireball, comprising his Specialty singles together with unreleased recordings, was issued by Ace Records in 2007.
Singles
- "I've Got My Sights On Someone New" / "Love At First Sight" (Specialty 623, 1958)
- "Hiccups" / "There's A Moose on the Loose" (Specialty 649, 1958)
- "Any Old Town" / "Gloria" (Specialty 666, 1959)