Biography
Ersel Hickey, the singer whose rockabilly classic "Bluebirds Over the Mountain" remains his most lasting legacy, came into the world on June 27, 1934, in Brighton, NY. Following his father’s death in 1938, his mother experienced a nervous breakdown, and Hickey, as noted on the www.rockabillyhall.com website, passed his early years moving between foster homes before taking to the road alongside his sister, the exotic dancer who performed as Chicky Evans. He also worked the carnival circuit across the United States before landing in Columbus, OH, where he entered a juvenile home and performed with a local gospel group. Drawing inspiration from Johnnie Ray, Hickey entered a Columbus talent contest in 1951, captured first place, received $500, and resolved to pursue a career as a pop singer. After hearing Elvis Presley’s groundbreaking Sun recordings, he turned to rock & roll and cut his first single in 1955, the Fine label release "Then I'll Be Happy."
While appearing in Rochester, NY, Hickey encountered Phil Everly and sought guidance on building a career. Everly replied, "Well, you got to have a song," prompting Hickey to compose "Bluebirds Over the Mountain" in a single night; he then journeyed to Buffalo the next morning and commissioned photographer Gene LaVerne to capture a publicity still. That image has long stood as the defining visual of Hickey’s career. Rock scribe Peter Guralnick once wrote: "Take a look at the improbably sculpted helmet of hair, the tommy-gun guitar stance, the pleated pants, cocked leg, patent leather casual footwear and turned-up collar...guitar pick poised, background airbrushed out, every fold of clothing carefully arranged...what volumes it speaks of aspiration and style, fate and fantasy, revelation in artifice. It is in effect a self-portrait of rock & roll." LaVerne also introduced Hickey to songwriter and manager Mike Corda, who promptly scheduled a session at New York’s National Studio; the resulting "Bluebirds Over the Mountain" quickly drew the interest of Epic Records, which chose to issue the demo unchanged, concerned that a new recording might diminish its character.
Epic released "Bluebirds Over the Mountain" in January 1958. Despite the label’s support, the single peaked at number 75 on the Billboard pop charts and remained Hickey’s strongest commercial showing. Additional Epic singles followed, including 1958’s "Lover's Land" and 1959’s "You Threw a Dart" and "I Can't Love Another," before the label ended the contract after 1960’s "Stardust Brought Me You." Hickey next moved to Kapp, issuing "Teardrops at Dawn" and "Lips of Rose" in 1961, then joined Apollo for the 1962 release "The Millionaire," later covered by Jackie Wilson. After Apollo’s bankruptcy, Hickey recorded "Some Enchanted Evening" for Laurie, his final new release for four years.
Earning his living as a songwriter, Hickey composed the Serendipity Singers’ 1964 hit "Don't Let the Rain Come Down." The Toot label issued his 1967 comeback single "Blue Skies," followed a year later by "(Play On) Strings of Gitarro." He continued to record sporadically in later decades, cutting "Oh Lord, Look What They've Done to Your Garden" for Black Circle in 1971, "Waitin' for Baby" for Rameses III in 1975, and "Let Me Be Your Radio" for Parkway in 1982. The comprehensive Bear Family retrospective Bluebirds Over the Mountain later documented his work; Hickey died on July 12, 2004, after bladder removal surgery.
While appearing in Rochester, NY, Hickey encountered Phil Everly and sought guidance on building a career. Everly replied, "Well, you got to have a song," prompting Hickey to compose "Bluebirds Over the Mountain" in a single night; he then journeyed to Buffalo the next morning and commissioned photographer Gene LaVerne to capture a publicity still. That image has long stood as the defining visual of Hickey’s career. Rock scribe Peter Guralnick once wrote: "Take a look at the improbably sculpted helmet of hair, the tommy-gun guitar stance, the pleated pants, cocked leg, patent leather casual footwear and turned-up collar...guitar pick poised, background airbrushed out, every fold of clothing carefully arranged...what volumes it speaks of aspiration and style, fate and fantasy, revelation in artifice. It is in effect a self-portrait of rock & roll." LaVerne also introduced Hickey to songwriter and manager Mike Corda, who promptly scheduled a session at New York’s National Studio; the resulting "Bluebirds Over the Mountain" quickly drew the interest of Epic Records, which chose to issue the demo unchanged, concerned that a new recording might diminish its character.
Epic released "Bluebirds Over the Mountain" in January 1958. Despite the label’s support, the single peaked at number 75 on the Billboard pop charts and remained Hickey’s strongest commercial showing. Additional Epic singles followed, including 1958’s "Lover's Land" and 1959’s "You Threw a Dart" and "I Can't Love Another," before the label ended the contract after 1960’s "Stardust Brought Me You." Hickey next moved to Kapp, issuing "Teardrops at Dawn" and "Lips of Rose" in 1961, then joined Apollo for the 1962 release "The Millionaire," later covered by Jackie Wilson. After Apollo’s bankruptcy, Hickey recorded "Some Enchanted Evening" for Laurie, his final new release for four years.
Earning his living as a songwriter, Hickey composed the Serendipity Singers’ 1964 hit "Don't Let the Rain Come Down." The Toot label issued his 1967 comeback single "Blue Skies," followed a year later by "(Play On) Strings of Gitarro." He continued to record sporadically in later decades, cutting "Oh Lord, Look What They've Done to Your Garden" for Black Circle in 1971, "Waitin' for Baby" for Rameses III in 1975, and "Let Me Be Your Radio" for Parkway in 1982. The comprehensive Bear Family retrospective Bluebirds Over the Mountain later documented his work; Hickey died on July 12, 2004, after bladder removal surgery.
Albums