Hot Rods
After the end of World War Two a new way of thinking about automobiles came into being in the then sleepy, sunny Southern California. The “Hot Rod” craze was born, started by recently returned American servicemen who fell in love with the small, inexpensive and fast little cars you could find in Europe. When they got back home to the States, nothing like that existed, so…
You take the cheapest car you can get, remove everything that is not needed to make it run and then put the biggest, most powerful engine you can find in it. Quite often starting with a Ford Model A.
I’m talking about “Hot Rod Lincoln” written by Charlie Ryan and W. S. Stevenson. This song has been around since the beginning of rock and roll and has been covered by many artists. Here’s the 1959 version by Charlie Ryan and the Timberline Riders
In 1960 Johnny Bond had the first hit with his version.
By 1972 “Hot Rod Lincoln” had become a rock standard, any bar band with the skills would gladly take this song on.
Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen had a hit with it. Their only hit…
Bill Kirchen, Commander Cody’s lead guitarist keeps it going these days with a really cool twist. Kirchen extends the song to over ten minutes by adding parts he plays in the style of other guitarists and bands.
(I wish there were a better video)
Some brillent musicianship. And just good ol’ fun!
Categories: Cover Me
1 Comment »
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February 22nd, 2010 at 3:55 pm
First off, I really enjoyed this post.
I have heard several renditions of “Hot Rod Lincoln”
and of the four you listed, I think I liked the one
covered by Charlie Ryan better than the one by Johnny Bond,
just liked his style better.
The Commander Cody Version is fun, and I really like how it begins,
my favorite really is the long version though.
I will stop what I’m doing at any time to listen to this version,
so thank you for posting it.
Great post!
Michele