In the mid-1950’s in Saskatoon, a just turned teenager, practically on the verge of juvenile delinquency, begins to find direction in life as the first rock ‘n’ roll records debut on radio and juke boxes. Nothing short of magic to his young ears, these recordings inevitably lead to a lifetime career promoting and protecting the careers of contemporary musicians.
This music helped lead a career of professionally presenting, promoting, and protecting the creators of contemporary music. Hayden, Tegan & Sara, Serena Ryder, Hawksley Workman, Cuff the Duke, Basia Bulat, The Waltons, Lowest of the Low, Andrew Cash, Fludd and Pukka Orchestra all benefited from Skinny’s career direction.
A personable, musical, educational, amusing, inspiring and unique remembrance of youth, that in turn brings long overdue attention to the groundbreaking and credible artists of the 50’s and early 60’s.
Listen to the episodes
Episode 9: Elvis Sun Singles
More often than not, it takes two to create brilliance. Would Elvis have remained a Memphis truck drivin’ man if producer/studio owner Sam Phillips hadn’t taken him “under his wing”, producing his first 5 singles? They’re all here, the first steps on the road to superstardom for Presley and for a career promoting rock ‘n’ roll artists for Skinny.
Tracklist
1. Elvis Presley - That’s All Right (Mama)
2. Elvis Presley - Blue Moon Of Kentucky
3. Elvis Presley - Good Rockin’ Tonight
4. Elvis Presley - I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine
5. Elvis Presley - Milkcow Blues Boogie
6. Elvis Presley - You’re A Heartbreaker
7. Elvis Presley - Baby, Let’s Play House
8. Elvis Presley - I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone
9. Elvis Presley - I Forgot, To Remember, To Forget
10. Elvis Presley - Mystery Train
11. Carl Perkins - Blue Suede Shoes
12. Elvis Presley - Blue Suede Shoes
13. Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel
14. Elvis Presley - Just Because
Episode 8: Chuck Berry
Early rock ‘n’ roll’s finest lyricist brilliantly captured North American teenage life in the 50’s. Skinny recalls shaking (one of his) celebrated guitar pickin’ hands after a Toronto concert…quite an accomplishment considering Chuck was likely to have left the building (cash in his guitar case) while the last notes of “Johnny B. Goode” still rang throughout the venue.
Tracklist
1. Chuck Berry - Roll Over Beethoven
2. Chuck Berry - School Day
3. Chuck Berry - Almost Grown
4. Chuck Berry - Brown-Eyed Handsome Man
5. Chuck Berry - Too Much Monkey Business
6. Chuck Berry - Maybelline
7. Chuck Berry - Sweet Little Sixteen
8. Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode
9. Chuck Berry - Run, Rudolph Run
10. Chuck Berry - Little Queenie
11. Chuck Berry - Back in The USA
12. Chuck Berry - No Particular Place To Go
13. Chuck Berry - Wee Wee Hours
14. Chuck Berry - Nadine
15. Chuck Berry - My Ding-A-Ling
16. Chuck Berry - Memphis, Tennessee
17. Chuck Berry - Oh! Baby Doll
Episode 7: Practically Presley
After hearing Elvis on the radio, (mostly) boys all over the world picked up guitars and started strumming, but few had Presley’s degree of natural ability; Skinny being a shining example of that. Instead, he’s found the best and/or most successful recording artists attempting to follow in the footsteps of the soon to be crowned “The King”.
Tracklist
1. Bill Parsons (aka Bobby Bare) - The All-American Boy
2. Ral Donner - Girl Of My Best Friend
3. Ral Donner - You Don’t Know What You’ve Got
4. Terry Stafford - Suspicion
5. Sanford Clark - The Fool
6. Jody Reynolds - Endless Sleep
7. Ray Smith - Rockin’ Little Angel
8. Ersel Hickey - Bluebirds Over The Mountain
9. Conway Twitty - It’s Only Make Believe
10. Jack Scott - My True Love
11. Jack Scott - Leroy
12. Dorsey Burnette - Tall Oak Tree
13. Johnny Burnette - Dreamin’
14. Johnny Burnette - You’re Sixteen
15. Marvin Benefield (Vince Everett) - Such a Night
16. Elvis Presley - Such a Night
17. Elvis Presley - Just Because
Episode 6: Buddy Holly
From when he broke onto the scene in 1957 with The Crickets to when he tragically died at only 23 in 1959, Buddy Holly’s music substantially contributed to Rock ‘n’ Roll’s impact on the world. Recalling the challenges Buddy faced during his tenure, and how those problems contributed to the ill-fated flight that took his life - the wonder of Buddy Holly still fascinates Skinny as he looks back on that fatal day, on his meeting with Buddy’s widow years later, and how Buddy’s music remains distinctive and significant.
Tracklist
1. The Crickets - That’ll Be The Day
2. Buddy Holly - Peggy Sue
3. The Crickets - Oh Boy!
4. Buddy Holly - Rave On
5. The Crickets - It’s So Easy
6. Buddy Holly - Think It Over
7. Buddy Holly - I’m Gonna Love You Too
8. Don McLean - American Pie
9. Buddy Holly - It Doesn’t Matter Anymore
10. The Crickets - Not Fade Away
11. Buddy Holly - Maybe Baby
12. Buddy Holly - Peggy Sue Got Married
13. Buddy Holly - Listen To Me
Episode 5: Little Richard
The self-proclaimed “Innovator, Originator and Architect” of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Little Richard’s impact on a young teen from Saskatoon in 1956 (where no one before or since heard or looked anything quite like that!) was life changing. Fast forward to the mid-90’s when Skinny finds himself being blessed by no less than the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll and coolest preacher man of all time!
Tracklist
1. Little Richard - Heeby-Jeebies
2. Little Richard - Tutti Frutti
3. Little Richard - Long Tall Sally
4. Little Richard - The Girl Can’t Help It
5. Little Richard - Ready Teddy
6. Little Richard - Ooh! My Soul
7. Little Richard - Lucille
8. Little Richard - Good Golly, Miss Molly
9. Little Richard - Rip It Up
10. Little Richard - Keep A-Knockin’
11. Little Richard - True Fine Mama
12. Little Richard - She’s Got It
13. Little Richard - All Around The World
14. Little Richard - Slippin’ And Slidin’
Episode 4: Fats Domino
Skinny finds Fats! Domino, that is. In a back alley garage no less! Deep dive into the catalogue and career of this Rock ‘n Roll giant. Taking you into the life of not only the legend himself but also his producer and co-writer Dave Bartholomew who between them sold no less than 65 million Fats’ singles between 1955 and 60! Follow Fats’ O’Keefe Center 1984 appearance song x song as Skinny managed to obtain a set list from the stage as the Fat Man belly bumped his white grand piano across the stage to end the show!
Tracklist
1. Fats Domino - The Fat Man
2. Fats Domino - Goin’ To The River
3. Fats Domino - Ain’t That A Shame
4. Fats Domino - I’m In Love Again
5. Fats Domino -Blueberry Hill
6. Fats Domino - Blue Monday
7. Shirley & Lee - Let The Good Times Roll
8. Lloyd Price - Lawdy Miss Clawdy
9. Fats Domino - Natural Born Lover
10. I’m Gonna Be a Wheel Someday
11. Fats Domino - When The Saints Go Marching In
12. Fats Domino - I’m Ready
13. Fats Domino - Let The Four Winds Blow
14. Fats Domino - I Want To Walk You Home
15. Fats Domino - Lady Madonna
16. Fats Domino - Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me & My Monkey
17. Fats Domino - Lovely Rita
18. Fats Domino - Walking To New Orleans
19. Fats Domino - I’ve Been Around
Episode 3: Be-Bop-A-Lula
Eager to see any music concert that came his way, a young Skinny Spinner gets a live taste of some true greats like Ray Charles and Gene Vincent. He experiences what is billed as the “The Biggest Show of Stars” with the likes of The Everly Brothers, Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke from the front row and backstage thanks to his successful radio shows. When presented with an opportunity to manage and tour with a popular Saskatchewan band booked to open a Canadian tour for none other than Roy Orbison, with not much more than a blink of an eye, it’s goodbye radio career and hello rock ‘n’ roll road!
Tracklist
1. Buddy Knox – Party Doll
2. Gene Vincent – Be-Bop-A-Lula
3. Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs - Sugar Shack
4. Lavern Baker - Jim Dandy
5. Monotones - The Book of Love
6. Ray Charles - What'd I Say
7. Hollywood Argyles - Alley Oop
8. The Kingsmen - The Jolly Green Giant
9. Roy Orbison - It's Over
10. Roy Orbison - Pretty Woman
11. Chuck Willis - (I Don't Wanna) Hang Up My Rock 'n' Roll Shoes
Episode 2: Fannie, Maronie & Lizzie
Join The Skinny Spinner as his initial love for rock ‘n’ roll finds him taking any action necessary to travel to the bright and bustling Canadian metropolis (to him) of Winnipeg, Manitoba. There, he can satiate his appetite for the latest offerings on Top 40 radio and learn the ways of the world (or so he thinks)! As teenage angst and first loves weave between the songs that spark the memories, rock ‘n’ roll’s impact on Skinny’s life gradually starts to shape his future.
Tracklist
1. Larry Williams – Short Fat Fannie
2. Larry Williams – Dizzy Miss Lizzy
3. Everly Brothers – Wake up, Little Suzy
4. Bill Haley & the Comets – See you Later, Alligator
5. Marvin Gaye – Hitchhike
6. Wanda Jackson – Let’s Have A Party
7. Bobby Fuller – I Fought the Law
8. Jimmie Rodgers – Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
9. The Coasters – Searchin’
10. Ernie K. Doe – Mother in Law
11. Bobby Lewis – Tossin’ & Turnin’
12. Dion & The Belmonts – A Teenager In Love
13. Clyde McPhatter – A Lover’s Question
Episode 1: Shake, Rattle & Roll
Tracklist
1. Bill Haley & the Comets – Rock Around the Clock
2. Chuck Berry – Rock ‘n’ Roll Music
3. Jimmie Rodgers – Frankie & Johnny
4. Hank Williams – Jambalaya
5. Big Joe Turner – Shake, Rattle & Roll
6. Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison Blues
7. Sam Cooke – You Send Me
8. Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers – I’m Not A Juvenile Delinquent
9. Dale Hawkins – Suzie Q
10. Isley Brothers – Shout
11. Huey “Piano” Smith & the Clowns – Rockin’ Pneumonia & the Boogie Woogie Flu
12. The Coasters – Charlie Brown
13. Jimmy Reed – Baby What You Want Me to Do
14. The Silhouettes. – Get A Job
15. Wynonie Harris – Good Rockin’ Tonight