Dale Hawkins

Dale Hawkins, a guitarist from Louisiana, achieved early rockabilly prominence with his 1957 single "Suzy Q," notable for its lively blues-infused guitar riffs and persistent cowbell rhythm, marking it as one of the standout releases from that era's rockabilly scene. Though he cut sides for Chess Records from 1956 through 1961 as one of the label's rare Caucasian performers, he failed to replicate the track's commercial or creative peak, yet several efforts came sufficiently near to earn him regard among the stronger practitioners of the rockabilly style. Elements like his drawling vocal approach, witty touch, blues leanings, and incisive guitar playing—actually executed by virtuoso session musicians including Roy Buchanan, Scotty Moore, and James Burton—shine effectively across his 1958 LP along with various singles that missed the charts. Transitioning into production, he gained recognition during the 1960s by collaborating with acts such as the Five Americans and Bruce Channel. His return to original recordings arrived in 1999 via Mystic Records with Wildcat Tamer, the initial collection of fresh songs after a three-decade gap. Plumtone Records issued the noteworthy Back Down to Louisiana in 2007.