Robert Gordon
Biography
For a time back in the late '70s, Robert Gordon was in an extraordinary position for a solo rock artist. The singer, then just over 30 years old, suddenly found himself leading what amounted to a rediscovery (he hates the word "revival") of authentic 1950s-style rockabilly music, two decades out of its own time. The rediscovery didn't quite lead to a revival, which probably suited Gordon just fine -- he never defined himself as a revivalist -- and his records didn't sell the way his label hoped, but Gordon ended up a celebrated figure among open-minded oldies buffs, rock & roll enthusiasts, and, generally, anyone with ears, whether they liked rockabilly music or not.
Gordon was born in 1947 and grew up in Bethesda, MD, just outside of Washington, D.C. At the age of nine, he heard Elvis Presley's debut RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel" -- a life-changing moment that persuaded him that a career in music was what he wanted for himself. The world of rock & roll opened up for him and he went on to discover Gene Vincent through "Be-Bop-A-Lula" and Eddie Cochran through "Twenty-Flight Rock," and such performers as Jack Scott and Billy Lee Riley.
Selected Discography
Satisfied Mind
2004
saw him on his 40th Birthday at the Lone Star in NYC-- He could barley stand up towards the end of the show, but he rocked!! Jim Messina was in the crowd
|
||
What a joy the mid-to-late '70s were for someone just out of high school, raised on great AM radio and emerging FM "album rock"--and eager to avoid disco and the sell-out aspects of rock and funk. Springsteen, The Clash, Elvis Costello, Talking Heads--and Robert Gordon, who fit right in. College-aged DJs in those days had an incredible range of things to draw from--with hip hip right around the corner. A great write-up of one of the almost-unsun g heroes of rocknroll.
|
||
keep the toe tappin stuff a movin and have the upright bass slappin all nite long - movin the dust all over the floor.
|
| report abuse |
Portions of content provided by All Music Guide © 2006 All Media Guide, LLC.