Hank Ballard & The Midnighters- Tore Up Over You.wmv

Hank Ballard (November 18, 1927 March 2, 2003), born John Henry Kendricks, was a rhythm and blues singer, the lead vocalist of Hank Ballard and The Midnighters and one of the first proto-rock 'n' roll artists to emerge in the early 1950s. He played an integral part in the development of rock music, releasing the hit singles "Work With Me, Annie" and answer songs "Annie Had a Baby" and "Annie's Aunt Fannie" with his Midnighters. He later wrote and recorded "The Twist" and invented the dance, which was notably covered by Chubby Checker.Born John Henry Kendricks in Bessemer, Alabama, Ballard grew up in Detroit, Michigan with relatives, where he began singing in church and later aspired to a career in music.

Although Hank did sing in a church choir, his major vocal inspiration during his formative years, he confessed in an interview, was none other than the "Singing Cowboy," Gene Autry, and one song in particular, his signature, "Back In The Saddle Again," captured his fancy. Back in the 40s, blues and R&B existed on race labels which were sold basically by word of mouth, but not yet broadcast via the radio; so it really wasn't that an unusual admission that he was influenced by C&W broadcasts.[1]

In 1951, Ballard formed a doo-wop group. He was discovered by the legendary band leader Johnny Otis, and was signed to sing with a group called The Royals, along with Henry Booth, Charles Sutton, Sonny Woods and Alonzo Tucker. The Royals had already signed to Federal Records in Cincinnati when Ballard joined.[2]

The group then changed its name to The Midnighters to avoid confusion with The "5" Royales. Sutton was replaced by Lawson Smith, while Woods was replaced by Norman Thrasher. Tucker was replaced first by Arthur Porter and then by Cal Green. The group soon released "Get It" (1953), an R&B song with sexually oriented lyrics, which many radio stations refused to play.[2]

In 1954, Ballard wrote a song called "Work With Me Annie" that was drawn from "Get It".[2] It became The Midnighters' first major R&B hit, going to #1 on the R&B charts and also selling well in mainstream markets, along with the answer songs "Annie Had a Baby" and "Annie's Aunt Fannie": all were banned by the FCC from radio air play.

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• Hank
• Ballard
• The
• Midnighters-
• Tore
• Up
• Over
• You.

[johnnyweep59]

fantastic RAB..and what a cool guitar break!

[raredoowop]

@johnnyweep59 ..it's my pleasure,thanks

[ttfozgreen]

Thanks for the great post, i like jump/swing , and love hank ballards music, too cool , oi, fozzy

[raredoowop]

@ttfozgreen ,it's my pleasure.

[Doughno]

Great by the original, listen to tommy La beef version

[raredoowop]

@Doughno . I'm glad you enjoy this great version .this is my pleasure and you are very welcome,,,Amnon

[williamg2552]

@jor99912 The ROYALS and The "5" ROYALES were TWO DIFFERENT GROUPS. THE ROYALS became THE MIDNIGHTERS to avoid confusion with the 5 Royales, as both groups recorded for the same record label: KING/FEDERAL RECORDS.

[Dickneeds]

Hank did not write the Twist. It was actually written originally by Little Joe Cook(Peanuts). Being a friend he gave it to Hank and has never made a penny off of it. I know Joe and he told me this himself.

[ttfozgreen]

@johnnyweep59 the guit solo is just too cool , great comment 

[Drewster58]

For Freddie King - the upside jump blues answer to "Tore Down." Man, I like this! What a thrill upon the hill!

[jor99912]

The ROYALS, you say! Is That same as the (5 ROYALES)? ( I DON'T WANT MUCH, I JUST WANT A LITTLE BIT, I DON'T WANT MUCH, I JUST WANT A LITTLE BIT.

JUST A TEENY LITTLE BIT, JUST A TEENY LITTLE BIT, "OF YOUR LOVE"