Both Freeman & Justis were big here on the East Coast. Vaughn was not but the flip Sail Along Silvery Moon was huge. Freeman more R&B, Justis more Rockabilly and Vaughn just pop.
Ernie Freeman's version wins hands down in my book. Any instrumental with Ernie Freeman on keyboards and the great Plas Johnson on sax can't be beat. Add Earl Palmer on drums and Irving Ashby on guitar. Freeman's version really rocks compared to the other two versions which are a bit sluggish in comparison.
I've got the Freeman version on the Imperial 45RPM. Musta spun it a thousand times when I was like 8 years old. The Freeman version is the raunchiest and the best.
The song that got George Harrison into the Beatles:) Love this song, it's one of those songs I could listen to over and over again and not get tired of it.
I remember these from Sept. 1958 when Raunchy was my favourite song. As I was very much into long-distance radio reception as well, I used to scour the AM band at night to hear it. There were 5 versions - the above 3, one by Muvva 'Guitar' Hubbard, and someone else.
The ONLY version played in the west was Ernie Freeman and Bill Justis had the east.
The Billy Vaughn version was for people who liked Pat Boone instead of Elvis or Buddy Holly, so it was ignored on rock stations.
I always thought his was far and away the best version of this song, his only chart hit #4. Billy Vaughn's was way to wimpy, white bread, MOR., typical of most of his work. Bill Justis' version was too slow and countryfied. Ernie's was thee rockin', rhythm, moving version, reminiscent in rhythm of Jerry Lee's "Whole lot of Shakin' Going On" released a few months earlier. This song connotes an era and moment in time. The 1957 Chevy Bel Air was a brand new car. Gere
The three 1957 versions you have here were all UK chart successes at various levels and I think Billy Vaughn's was the least popular (a little too slow), but here in the UK we had a popular guitar man called Bert Weedon who also charted here with his cover version. So we had four to choose from in 1957! I think Bert Weedon's version is on YouTube if you want to listen.
The first version, the original, is from Bill Justis (Sax) & Sid Manker (Guitar) who composed this melody from a tune Justis heard in his youth. They recorded it with the Sun Records Studio band & it became the first instrumental rock hit, I believe.
Thank you for putting these three version together for the community to enjoy.
Nice to hear these three versions together. I'm about to post the Bill Justis version on a Canadian Quality label 78 rpm.
althazarr 1 week ago
Thanks.My favourite one is Bill Black's, but I love BJ's
TheChrisbes 4 weeks ago
Both Freeman & Justis were big here on the East Coast. Vaughn was not but the flip Sail Along Silvery Moon was huge. Freeman more R&B, Justis more Rockabilly and Vaughn just pop.
Dickneeds 4 weeks ago
Ernie Freeman's version wins hands down in my book. Any instrumental with Ernie Freeman on keyboards and the great Plas Johnson on sax can't be beat. Add Earl Palmer on drums and Irving Ashby on guitar. Freeman's version really rocks compared to the other two versions which are a bit sluggish in comparison.
ausfan100 1 month ago
the billy vaughn version is by far the best....guitar is rudimentary, but the sax and the backbeat, and the keyboards are great...
dyskover 3 months ago
@Jpr422 you and i both my friend you and i both!!
TheSkaggs54 4 months ago
This is the song that got George Harrison into The Beatles. He played it for John Lennon and boy was he floored!
lildarkhorse 4 months ago 3
Love it!! I can listen to this over and over!!
6grad7 5 months ago
Oh, if only it were possible to take a time machine back to the 50's.
jpr422 7 months ago
I've got the Freeman version on the Imperial 45RPM. Musta spun it a thousand times when I was like 8 years old. The Freeman version is the raunchiest and the best.
RachelMarisa 7 months ago
The song that got George Harrison into the Beatles:) Love this song, it's one of those songs I could listen to over and over again and not get tired of it.
BeatlesBabaaaay13 8 months ago 3
great sound me dad did a great version on his guitar rest his soul
allycatdoody 1 year ago
I remember these from Sept. 1958 when Raunchy was my favourite song. As I was very much into long-distance radio reception as well, I used to scour the AM band at night to hear it. There were 5 versions - the above 3, one by Muvva 'Guitar' Hubbard, and someone else.
The ONLY version played in the west was Ernie Freeman and Bill Justis had the east.
The Billy Vaughn version was for people who liked Pat Boone instead of Elvis or Buddy Holly, so it was ignored on rock stations.
thefareguru 1 year ago
Interesting note on the east / west versions. I prefer Ernie Freeman's version (I was raised out west!) Love that sax & the "rinky-tink" piano too.
AntiqueRadiodoc 3 months ago
I always thought his was far and away the best version of this song, his only chart hit #4. Billy Vaughn's was way to wimpy, white bread, MOR., typical of most of his work. Bill Justis' version was too slow and countryfied. Ernie's was thee rockin', rhythm, moving version, reminiscent in rhythm of Jerry Lee's "Whole lot of Shakin' Going On" released a few months earlier. This song connotes an era and moment in time. The 1957 Chevy Bel Air was a brand new car. Gere
GereDJ 1 year ago
The three 1957 versions you have here were all UK chart successes at various levels and I think Billy Vaughn's was the least popular (a little too slow), but here in the UK we had a popular guitar man called Bert Weedon who also charted here with his cover version. So we had four to choose from in 1957! I think Bert Weedon's version is on YouTube if you want to listen.
TOMBANCROFT 1 year ago
Does anyone have the 60s version of "Raunchy" by the "Ventures"?
Thank's
G1abc2b2 1 year ago
I grew up rockin' to the Ernie Freeman version. Thanks for putting up the three 50's versions! What a blast!
4tyche2 1 year ago
I think the Billy Vaughn-version ist most dynamic !!
wertwolfi 1 year ago
Oh what sleezy greezy music. long live the '50s
rufusminnie 2 years ago 3
Thanks for the compilation.!!!! All 3 are good versions.. I can't make up my mind..like a kid in a candy store!!
eoj2495 2 years ago
The first version, the original, is from Bill Justis (Sax) & Sid Manker (Guitar) who composed this melody from a tune Justis heard in his youth. They recorded it with the Sun Records Studio band & it became the first instrumental rock hit, I believe.
Thank you for putting these three version together for the community to enjoy.
L
lancelot1953 2 years ago
This is the song that got George Harrison into The Beatles.....
romans52345 2 years ago
Amazing that three different artists could all have a top 10 hit with the same song in the same year. That would never happen these days.
Oldiesmann 2 years ago 10
@Oldiesmann If you not counting of course that all songs today sound alike.
Carthsting 1 year ago
Yes very historical recording, it take time find these recordings after so many years, thanks for the upload!!
shatinterry 2 years ago 2