Alton and Jimmy

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Alton and Jimmy
General information
Genre (s) Rockabilly
founding 1958
resolution 1959
Founding members
Alton Lott
Jimmy Harrell

Alton and Jimmy were an American rockabilly duo signed to Sun Records .

history

Alton Lott (born June 17, 1940 ) and Jimmy Harrell (born November 16, 1936 ) were cousins ​​and were both born in Hillsboro , Mississippi , in their grandfather's house. Harrell's father Monroe Harrell and Lott's mother Peggy Lott were siblings and together with Evaughn Lott, Lott's father, both played from an early age in various country bands that played professionally in the southern states . Alton and Jimmy were heavily influenced by the country stars heard on the Grand Ole Opry and by gospel . In the 1950s, rhythm and blues musicians like BB King and Muddy Waters as well as rock and roll musicians like Little Richard , Elvis Presley , Fats Domino , Carl Perkins and Buddy Holly were added as influences.

Jimmy joined the US Navy after graduating from school in 1954 and was stationed in San Diego . There he saw a concert by the rockabilly star Gene Vincent and then founded the Jim-Bobs with Bob Allen and Bob Cohen , with whom he played country and rockabilly. After Jimmy was released, he moved with Alton to Jackson , Mississippi, where both performed as Alton & Jimmy , appeared on local radio and television and wrote their first songs. In 1958 they auditioned for Johnny Vincent, owner of Ace Records , and recorded the tracks I Got It Made (In the Shade) and Looking for Someone for Ace with Huey “Piano” Smith at the piano . However, this session remained unpublished.

Shortly thereafter, Alton and Jimmy performed at the Louisiana Hayride and, through the agency of Tillman Franks, got a record deal with Sam Phillips ' label Sun Records. Phillips arranged a session on April 5, 1959 with studio musicians Roland Janes (guitar), Billy Lee Riley ( bass ) and Jimmy Van Eaton ( drums ). The songs Have Faith In My Love and No More Crying the Blues from this session were released on Sun in the summer of 1959. Another session took place two months later, but the material was not used.

After Alton and Jimmy failed to succeed at Sun, the duo broke up and Jimmy returned to the Navy, where he stayed until 1993 and rose to the rank of captain. In 1959 and 1960, while stationed on the USS Saratoga , he played with the band Jimmy and Gene and the Rhythm Knights in Jacksonville , Florida and the Mediterranean . Alton remained active in the United States as a studio and tour musician, playing with Andy Anderson , Murray Kellum , Buddy Rogers and BB Boone.

Alton now lives in Grandview, Missouri, and Jimmy in Jacksonville, Florida. In 1998, after 39 years, the duo recorded the song Rockin 'in the Shadow of Sun together again in the Sun Studio. Jimmy continues to perform and write songs to this day. Alton and Jimmy were inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame .

Discography

year title Label #
1959 No More Crying the Blues / Have Faith In My Love Sun 323
Unpublished titles
1958
  • I Got It Made (In the Shade)
  • Looking for someone
 Ace
1959
  • I just don't know
  • No More Crying the Blues (old version)
  • The Longest Walk
  • What's the use
  • Why Do I Love You
 Sun

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