At the end of the Second World War, economics forced the big bands to trim their once great size and thus, the Jump Blues combo was born. Between 1946-1954, rhythm and blues laid the tracks for what was to become Rock n’ Roll. So how come, 75 years later, this vibrant and influential music is still so unknown to so many? Matt The Cat is going to change that with the radio program, “Juke In The Back.” These were the records that you couldn’t hear on the jukebox in the front of the establishment. To hear all this great 1950s rhythm & blues, you had to go to “Juke In The Back.”
https://www.jukeintheback.org
Episode #698 – Chuck Willis, Pt. 2 – 1954-58
Air Week: September 18-24, 2023
Chuck Willis, Pt. 2 – 1954-58“Juke In The Back” completes its 2 part special on the great Chuck Willis. This week, in part 2, we focus on Chuck’s amazing crossover success in the late 1950s with huge pop hits like “C. C. Rider,” “Betty And Dupree,” “What Am I Livin’ For” and “Hang Up My Rock n’ Roll Shoes.” Willis’ career ended with him on top after his tragic death in 1958 at the age of 30. Chuck Willis is one of the many underrated 1950s R&B performers. Pop audiences only remember him for a handful of tunes, yet he was extremely popular on the R&B-side of the 1950s. Each week, the “Juke In The Back” with Matt The Cat brings the music and stories of this oft forgotten part of American Music.
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