THE PRISONAIRES AND THE RISE OF SUN RECORDS

The Prisonaires were an African American doo-wop group whose hit "Just Walkin' in the Rain" was released on Sun Records in 1953, while the group was incarcerated in the Tennessee State Penitentiary in Nashville.

The group was led by Johnny Bragg, who had been a penitentiary inmate since 1943 when, at the age of 17, he was convicted of six charges of rape. The Prisonaires were formed when Bragg joined up with two prison gospel singers, Ed Thurman and William Stewart (each of whom was doing 99 years for murder), and two new penitentiary arrivals, John Drue Jr. (three years for larceny) and Marcell Sanders (one-to-five for involuntary manslaughter).

The Prisonaires were discovered by the radio producer Joe Calloway, who heard them singing while preparing a news broadcast from the prison. He arranged for the group to perform on the radio, a performance which was eventually brought to the attention of Sam Phillips of Sun Records.

Sam arranged for the group to be transported under armed guard to Memphis to record. A few weeks later, "Just Walkin' in the Rain" was released and quickly sold 50,000 copies.

Their success was such that they were allowed out on day passes to tour throughout the state of Tennessee. The band became favorites of the state's governor, Frank G. Clement, and frequently performed at his mansion.

The group's legacy was confirmed when "Just Walkin' in the Rain", written by Bragg, was recorded by Johnnie Ray.

They gradually became high-status figures in Tennessee, and never betrayed the trust placed in them by trying to escape their guards on their numerous forays outside the prison. A second single followed in August 1953, the highly spiritual “My God Is Real”, followed by “I Know” and its autobiographical b-side, “A Prisoner’s Prayer”. While recording it they made the acquaintance of Elvis Presley, who later visited them in prison.

When some of his colleagues had become eligible for parole, Bragg formed a new version of the band titled the Sunbeams with Thurman, Stewart, Drue, Hal Hebb (d. 1963), Willy Wilson, and pianist Henry “Dishrag” Jones.

This line-up lasted only until 1955 when Alfred Brooks replaced a pardoned Stewart and the group was retitled the Marigolds. They had a number 8 R&B chart success with “Rollin’ Stone” before changing their name to the Solotones for another single release, “Pork And Beans”.

By 1956 Bragg had been released and he recorded a series of singles under his own name for Decca Records. He was then arrested for “parole violation” in 1960 and his penalty was to return to prison for an incredible six and a half years. Bragg put together another version of the Prisonaires with new inmates, but they never recorded again.

On release, he recorded a number of singles for independent labels before finding work in a cemetery. He returned to prison for a third time at the end of the 60s and finally left prison for good in August 1977. Bragg continued to receive royalties for “Just Walkin’ In The Rain’ but was now content to sing only in church. Read More

 

ELVIS AND PRISCILLA'S HONEYMOON TRAILER IS SOLD!!

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – Septemebr 5, 2018 - GWS Auctions, one of the world’s premier Film and Music Memorabilia auction houses sold the iconic 60’ Two Bedroom Delta Mobile Home from “Circle G Ranch” owned by Elvis & Priscilla Presley during their highly anticipated Legends: Iconic Film and Music Memorabilia auction which took place on Saturday, August 25, 2018.

The spectacular piece of rock and roll history was purchased by Max Wiggins of Kemah, Texas who plans on taking it back to Mississippi where it all began. The Elvis and Priscilla Presley two bedroom 60’ Delta mobile home sold for $67,650 USD but Wiggins said he “would have paid any price for it because it belonged to Elvis.”

A long-time collector and admirer of Elvis Presley, Wiggins wants to pay homage to the “King” and has planned to move it back to Mississippi where fans can enjoy it. His plans also include exhibiting it and possibly making it available to rent for fans and special occasions.

The mobile home was on Elvis’ famous “Circle G Ranch” near Graceland. Elvis bought the ranch in the 1960s as a getaway but with close proximity to Graceland. After Elvis and Priscilla married, they spent part of their honeymoon there and originally started using the ranch house immediately after purchasing the property.

“It wasn’t about Elvis, the star. It was about sharing friendships. On a more realistic, simple, loving basis — being off the road, being away from Hollywood, just getting down to the bare essentials.”
— Jerry Schilling

Elvis also liked his Memphis Mafia around and decided the way to do that was to buy eight house trailers and have each installed on poured concrete pads near the lake on the property. The accommodations for the group were set back on the 163 acre property however Elvis loved spending time with them. As a result, he ordered his two-bedroom trailer for him and Priscilla also be moved.

In April of 1967 when filming for the film “Clambake” was paused, Elvis was able to spend three straight weeks on the ranch. The iconic mobile home has given the winning bidder, Max Wiggins, a chance to own an early piece of Elvis Presley history and one, which many believe, also shared in the happiest years of his life.

The mobile home was manufactured by Delta and measures 60’ long and 12” wide. It was recently restored and is in the condition in which Elvis and Priscilla left it including the gold sink and bathtub.

Wiggins plans on announcing where the mobile home will move to once all of the details are confirmed.

TOP 10 INFLUENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1960S

1960’s might simply be the most interesting period of time in human history. This is quite a loud statement, but it is based on the solid deviance. It was the era of revolutions: political, sexual, cultural, and technical. Instead of spreading our attention to all of the exciting events and transformation that were taking place during that period, we will focus on the epic and refreshing 60’s music. Flowers, experiments, hallucinations, and otherworldliness is guaranteed!

The Beatles, “A Day In a Life”

It is a pretty tough task to pick one Beatles song to describe this swinging decade. Their music started the rock-and-roll craze, the age of musical hysteria, big bands, and total sound revolution. Taking inspiration from other cultures and, certainly, some medical substances, The Beatles has many hits. We just happen to think that “A Day In a Life” sounds nice and has great lyrics, as well as experimental structure. But honestly, any Beatles song can easily make the list of the most popular songs of all times.

Jimi Hendrix, “All Along The Watchtower”

Though it is not the original song, Bob Dylan’s cover, Jimi Hendrix, the genius he had been, presented his own version. The story goes that after hearing it, Dylan decided to change it in Hendrix’s favor. His guitar solos are the epitome of the sixties and blooming festival culture. However, the music was so unconventional and complex, that even Hendrix’s guitarist friend walked out from the performance.

The Velvet Underground, “I’m Waiting For The Man”

When we think about influential figures of the 1960’s, we often think about Andy Warhol. He has developed the whole pop-art movement and aesthetic visual feeling of the era. But how he is connected with music, one might ask. Well, he has produced The Velvet Underground, New York band with very distinctive 60’s sound. Their trippy sound and texts became a signature sound of the age of Summer of Love.

Bob Dylan, “Like a Rolling Stone”

If you haven’t heard this song, then we cannot help but wonder where you have been the last 50 years? This is one of the most popular old songs, and it keeps bewildering minds of the music lovers. Dylan’s lyrics have become a hymn of his times full of freedom, uncertainty, and discoveries. The music makes quite an impression, partially due to the organ notes. If the spirit of the Hippie era is captured somewhere at all its beauty, it is safe to say that this piece is a very close match to such title.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/40322139560/

Elvis Presley, “Can't Help Falling In Love”

Talking about the sixties without mentioning the king of rock-n-roll is impossible. He has changed not only the perception of pop and rock music but also the society’s attitude toward sex appeal and style. Despite numerous swinging and swaying tracks, in this list of top songs, we have decided to include his lyrical love song. Sweet and tender, this musical number will be forever associated with cute and lovely times of the first, but not least love. If you would like to write a romantic ballad or a daring story, you can get help with this custom essay writing service and try to compete with Elvis.

The Stooges, “I Wanna Be Your Dog”

Rebel spirit is often forgotten in the face of the pacifist and hippie philosophies of the era. However, in many aspects, the 60s were the revolutionary times. And if we are mentioning rebels, there is no way around The Stooges. Being from Ann Arbor, they have this deep underground, industrial sound to them; the lyrics also played a huge part in the controversy around the song. The text is raw and direct, which makes it even more sensational. This song is often perceived as an early prediction of the Detroit’s unfortunate fate.

The Ronettes, “Be My Baby”

1960’s are often seen as a birth time of the so-called teenage culture. With the rise of financial stability, education, and general level of life, the need in early labor has dissipated, and the young people emerged as the newly formed sector of society with a lot of free time and some cash on their hands. Thus, the new demand for a special type of music has appeared, the lightweight, flirty pop songs that would entertain the teenage audience while providing the beat to dance to. “Be my baby” is the great and one of the most famous examples of such concept. Being named as one of the most popular songs of all times, it is certainly one of the best songs of the 60s.

The Mamas & The Papas, “California Dreamin’”
Simple ideas usually give great results. A similar thing happened to a famed song by this cult band. A simple desire for a warmer climate has turned into one of the biggest hits of the century. Did we forget to mention a hippie vibe and groovy sound?

David Bowie, “Space Oddity”

Nothing is really possible without David Bowie. He has influenced music, style, gender views, and much more, including with this famed song of his. This goes in tune with the 1960’s as an era of discoveries, space conquering and universe’s secrets being unveiled. Sticking to the dreamy and trippy musical atmosphere, this piece is highly descriptive of its times, while also being a timeless somehow. Seat back, relax, take your protein pills and put your helmet on, and enjoy Space Oddity.

Louis Armstrong, “What a Wonderful Life”

In conclusion to our list, we have decided to put this beautiful song by the truly defining musician Louis Armstrong. Even though the sixties is not exactly a jazz era, without this vivid music movement there would be no rock-n-roll, no Beatles, Elvises, etc. The experiments, the vibrancy, the spiritual richness of jazz paved the way for much more styles to come and completely change the way we listen to the music.