Carl Perkins

Full Name: Carl Lee Perkins
Profession: Rockabilly Guitarist and Singer-Songwriter

Nationality:

Biography: Carl Perkins was an American musician and songwriter who gained national fame with his first hit single, "Blue Suede Shoes," released in 1956. This track was one of the first songs to top three different charts: country, rhythm and blues, and popular music.

Although he was soon overshadowed by artists like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis, Perkins' influence on music, especially the rockabilly genre, is unquestionable. He was a key player in the mid-1950s rock 'n' roll movement, and his unique guitar style had a significant impact on future rock musicians.

He was a contemporary of Elvis Presley, with whom he shared a record label (Sun Records), and the two often toured together. Perkins was also part of the famed "Million Dollar Quartet" jam session, which included Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash. Paul McCartney stated that "if there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles."

In the years following his initial fame, Perkins continued to record and perform, although he never regained the level of stardom he achieved in the mid-1950s. He transitioned more into country music and experienced a career resurgence in the late 1960s and 1970s. He had a number of hit songs during this period include tracks like "Restless" (1968) and "Honey Don't" (1956), the latter of which was covered by The Beatles.

He had several collaborations with other artists, often sharing the stage with fellow Sun Records alumni and newer stars. He appeared on the Johnny Cash television show, for instance, and participated in a concert film, Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session (1985), alongside other artists like George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Perkins was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, recognizing his status as one of the genre's pioneers. In addition to his music career, Perkins was known for his philanthropy. He founded the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse in Tennessee, which offers support and services to abused children and their families.

Born: April 9, 1932
Birthplace: Jackson, Tennessee, USA

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Aries

Died: January 19, 1998 (aged 65)
Cause of Death: Complications from several minor strokes