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cover photographer unknown
On January 12, 1957
Elvis Presley recorded
All Shook Up and shook almost everybody up, including ME! The bouncy, happy-to-be-in-love song was composed by
Otis Blackwell.
Otis Blackwell, born on February 16, 1931, was an African-American songwriter, singer, and pianist, whose work influenced
rock and roll. His compositions include
Fever;
Great Balls of Fire and
Breathless, recorded by
Jerry Lee Lewis (
link below);
Don't Be Cruel,
All Shook Up and
Return to Sender (with
Winfield Scott), recorded by
Elvis Presley; and
Handy Man, recorded by
Jimmy Jones.
Blackwell was born in
Brooklyn, New York, on February 16, 1931. His first success was winning a local talent contest ("Amateur Night") at the
Apollo Theater, in
Harlem, in 1952. This led to a recording contract with RCA and then with Jay-Dee. His first release was his own composition
Daddy Rolling Stone, which became a favorite in
Jamaica, where it was recorded by Derek Martin.
According to legend, “Goldie" Goldhawk, one of the owners of a
songwriting firm called Shalimar Music, vigorously shook a bottle of
Pepsi and dared Blackwell to write a song about it.
Blackwell polished off the now famous track in nothing flat.
Personnel:
- The Blue Moon Boys
- The Jordanaires
- Gordon Stoker – harmony and backing vocals
- Hoyt Hawkins – backing vocals, piano
- Neal Matthews, Hugh Jarrett – backing vocals[9]
Viewfinder links:
The Beatles
Connie Francis
The Ink Spots
Billy Joel
Peggy Lee
Jerry Lee Lewis
Mina
Elvis Presley
Suzy Quatro
Net links:
Elvis History blog ~ Otis Blackwell Fueled the Elvis Machine in the Fifties
Live Mint ~ Songs for a king