Hank Ballard (born John Henry Kendricks) (November 18,
1927 - March 2, 2003) was a rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, the lead
vocalist of Hank Ballard and The Midnighters and one of the first rock 'n' roll
artists to emerge in the early 1950s. He played an integral part in the
development of the genre, releasing the hit singles "Work With Me,
Annie" and answer songs "Annie Had a Baby" and "Annie's
Aunt Fannie" with his Midnighters.
This is a rare first photo of The Royals as they appeared
in 1953 (from left) guitarist Alonzo Tucker, Charles Sutton, Hank Ballard,
Henry Booth and Sonny Woods.
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The group then changed its name to The Midnighters to
avoid confusion with The "5" Royales. Sutton was replaced by Lawson
Smith, while Thrasher was replaced by Sonny Woods. Tucker was replaced first by
Arthur Porter and then by Cal Green. The group soon released ""Get
It" (1953), an R&B song with sexually oriented lyrics, which many
radio stations refused to play.
In 1954, Ballard wrote a song called "Work With Me
Annie" that was drawn from "Get It". It became The Midnighters'
first major R&B hit and also sold well in mainstream markets, along with
the answer song "Annie Had a Baby".
Their third major hit was "Sexy Ways," a song
that cemented the band's reputation as one of the most risqué groups of the
time. They had four more R&B chart hits in 1954-55. The Midnighters
continued releasing singles and albums, and also changed their name to
"Hank Ballard and The Midnighters". Their label also changed to King.
They had no hits in 1956-58. Then between 1959 and 1961 they had several more
both on the R&B and Pop charts, including "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's
Go" and the Grammy-nominated "Finger Popping Time, which hit #6 and
#7, respectively, on the Billboard Pop Top 10 .
In 1959 Ballard's song "The Twist" was released
as the B-side of "Teardrops on Your Letter". A year later Chubby
Checker's cover version of the song went to #1 on the pop charts. (It would
return to the top of the charts in 1962.) Though this brought about renewed
interest in Ballard and The Midnighters for a time, this lasted for only a few
years, and the group dissolved in 1965. Ballard tried to launch a solo career,
working with James Brown..
After a lengthy absence from music, Ballard re-formed the
Midnighters during the mid-'80s, first as a female group, then male, and began
touring once again. In 1990, Ballard received his due as an R&B innovator
with his election into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. After suffering for
several years with throat cancer, Ballard died quietly at his Los Angeles home
in March of 2003.
“ If you're looking for youth, you're looking for
longevity, just take a dose of rock 'n' roll—it keeps you going. Just like the
caffeine in your coffee, rock 'n' roll is good for the soul, for the well
being, for the psyche, for your everything. I love it. I can't even picture
being without rock 'n'roll. — Hank Ballard ”
(info edited mainly from Wikipedia)
2 comments:
Hank Ballard & The MIDNIGHTERS
Let's Go Again! - Singles Collection 1960-1962
http://www62.zippyshare.com/v/7c10Oj4M/file.html
1960
1. THE COFFEE GRIND
2. WAITING
3. I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU SO O O
4. FINGER POPPIN' TIME
5. IF YOU'D FORGIVE ME
6. LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO
7. I'M THINKING OF YOU
8. THE HOOCHI COOCHI COO
1961
9. LET'S GO AGAIN (Where We Went Last Night)
10. DEEP BLUE SEA
11. WHAT IS THIS I SEE
12. THE CONTINENTAL WALK
13. THE SWITCH A ROO
14. THE FLOAT
15. NOTHING BUT GOOD
16. KEEP ON DANCING
17. BIG RED SUNSET
18. CAN'T YOU SEE I NEED A FRIEND
19. I'M GONNA MISS YOU
20. DO YOU REMEMBER
1962
21. BROADWAY
22. DO YOU KNOW HOW TO TWIST
23. GOOD TWISTIN' TONIGHT
24. I'M YOUNG
25. I WANT TO THANK YOU
26. EXCUSE ME (I Think I've Got A Heartache)
27. WHEN I NEED YOU
28. DREAM WORLD
29. SHAKY MAE
Jasmine's chronological survey of Hank Ballard's King 45's which ended in 1959 on the previous volume 'Come and Get It' (JASCD 568) and this new set continues that theme opening in 1960.
29 classics featuring the hits, 'Finger Poppin' Time', 'Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go' and the 'The Continental Walk'.
Superb soul from one of the most influential R&B artists of the era at the peak of their success. Simply another must have collection from Jasmine. So let's go, let's go, let's go again!
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