Carl Perkins w/ George Harrison, Eric Clapton – "Blue Suede Shoes" (Live in Passaic, 1985) | A Masterclass in Rockabilly
Watch three titans of rock and roll unite on stage! The "King of Rockabilly," Carl Perkins, performs a definitive live version of his pioneering hit "Blue Suede Shoes," joined by Eric Clapton and George Harrison. Recorded live on October 21, 1985, during the legendary Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session at the historic Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ.
This iconic television special was a celebration of Carl Perkins’ monumental influence on rock music. This performance of "Blue Suede Shoes" captures the magic of Perkins reuniting with George Harrison, who famously covered the song with The Beatles (released on Live at the BBC in 1964), and blues-rock titan Eric Clapton, showcasing the enduring power of rockabilly and its massive impact on the 1960s British Invasion.
The All-Star Lineup:
🎤 🎸 Carl Perkins: Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar
🎤 🎸 George Harrison: Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar
🎤 🎸 Eric Clapton: Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar
🎤 🎸 Dave Edmunds: Guitar, Backing Vocals
🎸 John Illsley: Bass Guitar (from Dire Straits)
🥁 Ringo Starr: Drums
🥁 Jim Keltner: Drums
🎹 Jools Holland: Piano
The Session & "Blue Suede Shoes" Facts:
The Tribute: Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session was a star-studded special filmed for Cinemax, featuring George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Dave Edmunds, Roseanne Cash, and Slim Jim Phantom paying tribute to Perkins.
The Beatles Connection: This performance was a historic reunion, marking the first time George Harrison and Ringo Starr had performed together publicly since the Concert for Bangladesh in 1971. The Beatles famously covered Perkins' "Honey Don't," "Matchbox," and "Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby."
The Song: Perkins wrote "Blue Suede Shoes" based on an old blues phrase (famously used by Blind Lemon Jefferson) and infused it with his pioneering chicken-pickin' guitar style. It became a rockabilly standard and a cornerstone of the 1950s Sun Records sound.
The Venue: The Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ, was a famous concert hall known for its high-quality concert filmings, capturing countless legendary performances in the 1970s and 80s.
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