Rosco Gordon ‎– A Girl To Love 1962 ABC Paramount ‎– 45 10351 — DeepCutsArchive

DeepCutsArchive

Rosco Gordon ‎– A Girl To Love 1962 ABC Paramount ‎– 45 10351 — DeepCutsArchive

A Girl To Love .Written-By – R. Gordon* Rosco Gordon (April 10, 1928 – July 11, 2002) was an American blues singer and songwriter. He is best known for his 1952 No. 1 R&B hit single, "Booted",[1] and two No. 2 singles "No More Doggin'" (1952 RPM 350) and "Just a Little Bit" (1960 Vee-Jay 332).[2] Biography Born in Memphis, Tennessee and grew up on Florida street, Gordon was a pioneer of the Memphis Blues style.[3] Gordon used a style of piano-playing known as 'The Rosco rhythm' and made a number of his early recordings for Sam Phillips at Sun Records.[1] This rhythm, where the emphasis is on the off-beats, was an influence on the Jamaican pianist Theophilus Beckford and hence on reggae music as a whole.[3] "Booted" and "No More Doggin'" were both released in 1952.[3] Phillips sold the master of "Booted" to both RPM and Chess Records and both labels released the track as a single.[1] The RPM release reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B record chart.[2] Chess and the Bihari brothers later settled the conflict, with the Biharis getting exclusive rights to Gordon and Chess signing Howlin' Wolf to an exclusive contract.[4] Gordon's last single to reach the charts was "Just a Little Bit" (1960).[2][3] In 1962, he gave up the music industry and moved to Queens, New York with his new wife, where he purchased a partnership in a laundry business. Following his wife's death in 1984, he returned to performing in the New York area. In 2002, he was invited by filmmaker Richard Pearce to be featured as part of a documentary film about several blues musicians returning to Memphis for a special tribute to Sam Phillips in conjunction with the May 2002 W.C. Handy Awards. Called The Road To Memphis, the documentary aired on PBS television. Six weeks after filming finished, Gordon died of a heart attack at his apartment in Rego Park, Queens.[1] He was 74 years old.[1] He was interred in the Rosedale Cemetery in Linden, New Jersey. "No More Doggin' " was covered by The Groundhogs on their 1972 album Hogwash,[5] and by Colin James on his 1993 album, Colin James and The Little Big Band. References "Biography by Bryan Thomas". Allmusic.com. Retrieved June 1, 2009. Whitburn, Joel (1988). Top R&B Singles 1942–1988. Record Research, Inc. p. 170. ISBN 0-89820-068-7. Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues – From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. p. 114. ISBN 1-85868-255-X. Cohodas, Nadine (2000). Spinning Blues into Gold. St. Martin's Press. p. 64. ISBN 0-312-26133-0. "Hogwash, album details". Thegroundhogs.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-07-12.

About This Footage

This footage is a rare gem from 1962, featuring Rosco Gordon performing "A Girl To Love" on ABC Paramount's 45 10351. What makes this clip significant is that it showcases Gordon's unique style of piano-playing, known as "The Rosco rhythm," which would later influence reggae music. This performance is a testament to the enduring legacy of Memphis blues, a genre born in the city's vibrant music scene during the 1910s and 1920s.

At the time this footage was recorded, Gordon was at the height of his career. His 1952 hits "Booted" and "No More Doggin'" had cemented his status as a pioneering figure in the Memphis Blues style. His innovative approach to piano-playing, which emphasized off-beats, would go on to inspire a new generation of musicians. Theophilus Beckford, a Jamaican pianist, was particularly influenced by Gordon's rhythm, and it's not hard to see why – the infectious energy and syncopated beats are still palpable in this 1962 performance.

Gordon's music career spanned over four decades, with his last chart-topping single being "Just a Little Bit" in 1960. After that, he seemed to step back from the industry, moving to Queens, New York with his new wife and purchasing a partnership in a laundry business. However, following his wife's passing in 1984, Gordon returned to performing in the New York area. This clip is a poignant reminder of his enduring legacy as a blues musician.

The Road To Memphis, a documentary film featuring Gordon among other notable blues musicians, aired on PBS television in 2002. The film was part of a tribute to Sam Phillips, the legendary producer who had signed Howlin' Wolf to an exclusive contract with Chess Records after resolving a conflict over Gordon's "Booted" single. This clip is a fascinating insight into the complex history of the music industry and the relationships between artists and producers.

What makes this footage particularly noteworthy is its rarity. With only 2:47 minutes of performance, it's a concise yet powerful representation of Gordon's unique style. The fact that it was recorded for ABC Paramount's 45 10351 adds to its significance, as these records were an important part of the music industry at the time.

This clip will leave viewers with a deeper appreciation for the Memphis Blues style and its influence on later genres such as reggae. Gordon's innovative approach to piano-playing is still evident in this performance, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in blues history. The fact that he was part of a documentary film about the music industry's legacy adds an extra layer of significance to this footage.

Gordon's story is one of perseverance and dedication to his craft. Despite stepping back from the industry for many years, he continued to perform and contribute to the world of blues music. This clip serves as a testament to his enduring legacy and the impact he had on generations of musicians.

In conclusion, this 1962 footage of Rosco Gordon performing "A Girl To Love" is a rare and significant find. It showcases his unique style of piano-playing and highlights his influence on later genres such as reggae. As part of a larger tribute to Sam Phillips and the music industry's legacy, this clip offers a poignant reminder of Gordon's enduring impact on blues history.

Curated from public records and music databases.