Feature Column
Exclusive to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame

Column #20 - published April 5, 1999

ROCKABILLY REBEL: A SHORT HISTORY


Rockabilly Rebel, Rollin' Rock LP-006, released in 1974

It was at the end of 1974 when Ray Campi and I were discussing what to call his band, which up to that point was called "THE ROLLIN' ROCK REBELS". We liked that name, but also felt it was too long. It came as a nobrainer to replace the name "Rollin' Rock" with the word "Rockabilly"!!

Thus the phrase "Rockabilly Rebels" was born, and soon Ray would write a song to publicize the "Rockabilly Rebel" philosophy, and I don't have to tell you what the name of that song was!!


The cover of the original Rollin' Rock "Rockabilly Rebel" LP
by Ray Campi (Rollin' Rock LP-006)

And here are a couple of memorable lines from the song "Rockabilly Rebel" written by Ray Campi (Winsor Music, BMI, administered by Bug Music):

"The 1950s gave us something new,
raw Hillbilly mixed with Rhythm & Blues....."

and

"The Nashville Sound has gotten sugary sweet,
they watered it down, eliminated the beat....."
"...'coz I'm a Rockabilly Rebel,
and I play my rhythm double..."

The song was recorded, then a whole album followed, "Rockabilly Rebel", on Rollin' Rock LP-006 which was released in 1974. Ray Campi plays all the instruments on this album.

Another version of "Rockabilly Rebel" was recorded by Ray, this time being backed by his whole band, The Rockabilly Rebels, on the album "Wildcat Shakeout", and released in England on Radar Records.

And later "Rockabilly Rebel" was re-released in America by Rounder Records on the album "Gone, Gone, Gone".

1977 was the magical landmark year of the Rollin' Rock Tour of England with Mac Curtis, Ray Campi & His Rockabilly Rebels, consisting of Colin Winski (vocals, rhythm guitar), Jerry Sikorski (vocals, electric guitar), Kevin Fennell (electric guitar) and Steve Clark on drums. Of course Ray Campi played the standup slappin' bass. According to the British press, it was this tour that spawned the Rockabilly Rebels and Hep Cat movement among teenagers in England.

This is what the New Musical Express (Feb.16, 1980) wrote in an eight pagecover story on the Rockabilly Rebels Craze which was sweeping England at thattime:

"......and then with Rollin' Rock suddenly a new young market appeared. Itwasn't just old time collectors, but young kids who went on to become theRockabilly Rebels and the Hep Cats...."


This is the cover of one my albums, titled "ROCKABILLY REBELLION", the name of this column(!!), and distributed by Bomp Records, 20 years ago, in 1979!!

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Now let's jump 20 years ahead to the good old USA, and check out what our buddy DAVID LOEHR is doing:

THE SEVENTH ANNUAL
ROCKABILLY REBEL WEEKEND
will take place at
The Fountain Square Theatre Complex in
Indianapolis
on the weekend of
June 17,18 & 19, 1999

This year's event will feature 15 of the
top name Rockabilly bands from all over the country.

Show line-up:

WANDA JACKSON
RAY CAMPI (The Original King Rockabilly Rebel!)
MACK STEVENS
JAMES INTVELDT
DEKE DICKERSON
THE RACKETEERS
HOT ROD LINCOLN
THE ATOMICS
THE BIG BARN COMBO
CADILLAC ANGELS
THE STILLMEN
CROWN ELECTRIC
THE ROUND-UPS
THE RIPTONES
Emcee: Ken Mottet
DJ: Del Villareal

Texas Hardcore Cat Music man MACK STEVENS will be one of the higlights at the Indy Rockabilly Rebel Weekender.


Ticket Info:
   Thurs. $10. in advance, $15. day of show
   Fri. $20. in advance, $25. day of show
   Sat. $20. in advance, $25. day of show

Tickets are available by phone, fax or mail at: (list all Gallery info) Visa, MC, Discover and AMX are accepted, or make check or MO payable to JADE Productions.

   David Loehr dl@jamesdeangallery.com
   http://www.jamesdeangallery.com
   The James Dean Memorial Gallery
   425 N. Main St.
   P.O. Box 55
   Fairmount, IN 46928
   Ph. (765) 948-3326
   Fx. (765) 948-3389

Tickets will also be available through Ticketmaster (must use logo)

Hotel info: All of the bands and the RRW#7 staff will be staying at The Ramada Inn South. There are a number of rooms set aside for our group at a rate of $68. per night. Mention the Rockabilly Rebel Weekend when making your reservations to get this rate. Ramada Inn South, 4514 South Emerson Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46203, 317-787-3344.
If the Ramada if full ... Additional area hotels: (all area codes 317)
    Dollar Inn 788-0500 * Holiday Inn 788-3100 * Super 8 788-0955
   Red Roof Inn 788-9551 * Holiday Inn Southeast 783-7751
   Fairfield Inn 888-5535 * Hampton Inn 889-0722 * Days Inn 788-0331
   Red Roof Inn 788-0331 * Red Roof Inn 788-0811
   Comfort Inn 783-6711 * Quality Inn 787-8341

Well, ROCKABILLY REBELS from all over the world, this is your Weekender, so I hope to see you all there!!


Always Rollin' The Rock,
Rockin' Ronny Weiser,
The Rockabilly Rebel Westerner from Las Vegas,
The Wild Wild West

ROCKIN' RONNY WEISER - See his on-site Rockabilly HOF web page