As a music fan, I knew who Carl Perkins was and was interested in learning more about him. Plus, The Beatles covered some of his songs and The Beatles were my favorite band for a very long time. I am 47 years old, and after I turned 13 years old, I purchased all there albums with some of Bar Mitzvah money! I added books, memorabilia, and posters to my Beatles collection throughout the years. As I have gotten older, I am not as big as a fan as I used to be. I still like music, don’t get me wrong, especially 60’s, but I tend to skip over Beatles songs. Maybe I am just Beatled Out!

I rarely stop and screenshot quotes from books, but this one had two that popped out to me:

“If there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles.” – Paul McCartney.

“If it hadn’t been for your daddy, I would have never picked up the guitar.” – George Harrison to Stan Perkins, Carl’s son.

I really enjoyed learning more about his life and how some of his hit songs came to be. Carl was one of the first major stars from Sun Records and Sam Phillips, the founder. Yes, also on that short list is Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash. It was Carl who suggested to Lewis to not just sit still at the piano! It was a Carl recording session with Jerry Lee Lewis playing on a song, and Elvis was just hanging in the control room. Elvis then moved to the studio to jam and Sam Phillips called Johnny Cash to come in asap, and that was how the million dollar quartet came to be!

Carl had some bad things happen to him (car accidents, drinking, and close friends and family dying), but he never gave up. He was also totally dedicated to his wife and kids.

Unfortunately, after he recorded Blue Suede Shoes in 1955, he never had another hit and he also switched record companies a few times. Despite that, he did get back by playing with Johnny Cash, and later Carl turned solo with his own group, The CP Express, which his son’s were in! How awesome is that! When he first started, Carl’s bandmates were his brothers.

Overall, I enjoyed it and it was a quick and easy read for me.

I LOVED this book! I don’t normally read biographies but how could I resist the story of the man who wrote “Blue Suede Shoes”?
Wow. I didn’t know anything about him and I’m glad that I read this. He had a difficult life but he left such an impact on music.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Jeff Apter's Carl Perkins: The King of Rockabilly is an essential read for anyone interested in the roots of rock 'n' roll and the profound impact of one of its earliest pioneers. Perkins, often overshadowed by his contemporaries like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, is finally given his due in this detailed and insightful biography.

Born into a poor sharecropping family in Tennessee, Carl Perkins' rise to fame is nothing short of extraordinary. From learning blues guitar from a fellow field hand to penning the iconic "Blue Suede Shoes," Perkins' story is one of perseverance, talent, and an unwavering love for music. Apter expertly chronicles Perkins' early days performing in honky-tonks, his time at Sun Studio in Memphis, and his place in the legendary "Million Dollar Quartet" alongside Elvis, Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

The book delves deep into the triumphs and tragedies of Perkins' life, painting a vivid picture of the man behind the music. His career was not without its challenges, including a devastating car crash that nearly derailed his burgeoning success. Despite these setbacks, Perkins' influence on the music world remained steadfast, with artists like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton citing him as a major inspiration.

Apter's narrative is rich with insider details, exploring not only Perkins' musical achievements but also his personal battles and humanitarian efforts. This biography offers readers a comprehensive look at the man who, as Paul McCartney famously said, played a pivotal role in the birth of rock 'n' roll.

For those interested in the history of Rock 'n' Roll Highway 67, Carl Perkins: The King of Rockabilly is a must-read. The book's in-depth exploration of Perkins' career and life provides valuable insight into the legacy of a man whose influence helped shape the sound of rock 'n' roll. Perkins' story is not just a tale of music; it's a testament to the enduring spirit of an artist who, despite the odds, left an indelible mark on the world.