Biography
Tommy Blake, an exponent of rockabilly, launched his professional path as a country performer before adopting the driving rhythm of rock and roll. Born Thomas Givens and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, he performed with a teenage group delivering country material over KTBS in the early 1950s. By 1955 Blake had advanced to the Big D Jamboree in Dallas, Texas, and to the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport. The following year he became a regular on Johnny Horton’s television program from Tyler, Texas, and released his debut single on the small Buddy label in Marshall, Texas.
In 1957 Blake organized the Rhythm Rebels, whose lineup featured guitarist Carl Adams, later briefly associated with Dale Hawkins. After cutting “All Night Long” in a lone session for RCA Victor, he met Sam Phillips and recut the song for Sun as “Lordy Hoody.” Returning to the 706 Union studio in March 1958, he recorded further material; one track appeared as a single while the remainder surfaced on reissues in the 1970s and 1980s.
Blake persisted by recording for successively smaller labels in return for advances and offered “Story of a Broken Heart” to Johnny Cash after exiting Sun. He also co-wrote “Cool Gator Shoes” with Carl Belew and issued stray 45s on Chancellor and Recco. His fortunes continued to decline until his wife killed him during a domestic dispute over the Christmas holidays in 1985.
In 1957 Blake organized the Rhythm Rebels, whose lineup featured guitarist Carl Adams, later briefly associated with Dale Hawkins. After cutting “All Night Long” in a lone session for RCA Victor, he met Sam Phillips and recut the song for Sun as “Lordy Hoody.” Returning to the 706 Union studio in March 1958, he recorded further material; one track appeared as a single while the remainder surfaced on reissues in the 1970s and 1980s.
Blake persisted by recording for successively smaller labels in return for advances and offered “Story of a Broken Heart” to Johnny Cash after exiting Sun. He also co-wrote “Cool Gator Shoes” with Carl Belew and issued stray 45s on Chancellor and Recco. His fortunes continued to decline until his wife killed him during a domestic dispute over the Christmas holidays in 1985.
Albums
