"Ruby Baby" is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was originally recorded by The Drifters. Their version was released on a single by Atlantic Records as catalog number 45 1089 in 1956.
Columbia Records released a remake by Dion on a single recorded in 1962, as catalogue number 4 42662. It reached No. 2 Billboard Hot 100 (behind "Hey Paula" by Paul & Paula), giving him a major worldwide success.
"Ruby Baby" — Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks [later the Band]. NC, 1958. Dion [DiMucci] did a sensational cover (#2, 1-63) of Hawkins' cover of the Drifters' "Ruby Baby" (NC, '56, #10, 5-56 R & B). Dion's -Ruby Baby" is a direct line of Streetcorner/Snarly Sax White Soul, coming off his monster hits #1, 9-61 "Runaround Sue" and #2 12-61 -The Wanderer." Ronnie Hawkins, though, might just have the best of the three versions. With his vintage Rockabilly tenor growl, he suggests early Elvis, or Gene Vincent, at their best. The Arkansas and Toronto traveler later assembled his Canadian Hawks into Robbie Robertson's famous the Band, Bob Dylan's back-up band. The Band starred Levon Helm and bassist Rick Danko (1943-2000). In this rollicking Rockabilly stomper, Hawkins' on-fire piano prances and zooms at Nascar speed, rivalling Jerry Lee Lewis or Little Richard or Johnnie Johnson.
No comments:
Post a Comment