Carl Perkins
Carl Perkins
Background information
Birth name
Carl Lee Perkins
Also known
as
The King of Rockabilly
Born
April 9, 1932(1932-04-09)
Origin
Tiptonville, Tennessee, USA
Died
January 19, 1998 (aged 65)
Jackson, Tennessee
Genre(s)
rock, rockabilly, country
Occupation(s)
singer, songwriter, guitarist
Instrument(s) electric guitar
Voice type(s)
tenor
Years active
1955 – 1998
Label(s)
Sun Records, Columbia Records,
Mercury Records
Associated
acts
Perkins Brothers Band
Carl Lee Perkins (April 9, 1932 – January
19, 1998) was an American pioneer of rocka-
billy music who recorded most notably at Sun
Records Studio
in Memphis, Tennessee
beginning in 1954. An outstanding per-
former, his contribution to rock and roll mu-
sic is still heard to this day, especially
through his fine compositions and guitar
playing. His best known song is "Blue Suede
Shoes."
According to Charlie Daniels, "Carl Per-
kins’ songs personified the rockabilly era,
and Carl Perkins’ sound personifies the
rockabilly sound more so than anybody in-
volved in it, because he never changed." [1]
Perkins’ songs were recorded by artists (and
friends) as influential as Elvis Presley, The
Beatles, and Johnny Cash, which further ce-
mented his place in the history of popular
music.
Called the King of Rockabilly, he was in-
ducted into the Rock and Roll, the Rockabilly,
and the Nashville Songwriters halls of fame;
and was a Grammy Hall of Fame Award
recipient.
Biography
Early life
Perkins was the son of poor sharecroppers
near Tiptonville, Tennessee.[2] He grew up
hearing Southern gospel music sung by
whites in church, and by black field workers
when he started working in the cotton fields
at age six. In the spring and fall, the school
day would be followed by several hours of
work in the fields. During the summer, work-
days were 12-14 hours, "from can to can’t."
Carl and his brother Jay together would earn
50 cents a day. With all family members
working and no credit, there was enough
money for beans and potatoes, some tobacco
for Carl’s father Buck