Carl Perkins and The Million Dollar Quartet

As a deejay I was more than aware of the talents of Carl Perkins. Rick Nelson stated that Carl was one of his favourites as did the Beatles when their careers took off. Rick and the Beatles also recorded many of Carl’s songs on their albums. I met Carl in 1986 when I produced The Legends of Rock’n’Roll at EXPO 86 with my good friend Les Vogt.

Here was a true Southern gentleman. This man you could not help but like immediately. He had an engaging personality, and was one hell of a storyteller. One of his best friends was Johnny Cash and Carl toured for many years as part of the Johnny Cash Show when his own career was at a low.

Carl Perkins will always be remembered as one of the true rockabilly greats. If he had never written another song after Blue Suede Shoes he would be guaranteed a special place in the annals of Rock’n’Roll.

For more great music from Carl, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, check out The Million Dollar Quartet on now at the Arts Club’s Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage until July 9.

I got a chance to interview Carl during his EXPO 86 appearance. These clips are from my new SoundCloud channel, Red Robinson’s Legends.