January 4, 1956 : ELMORE JAMES has his final session for Joe Bihari at
Universal Studios in Chicago. "Wild About You Baby" and "Long Tall Woman"
are selected for his next single (Modern 983). "So Mean To Me" sees a
belated release in 1969 ("The Legend Of Elmore James", Kent LP 9001) and
"Elmo's Shuffle" is selected for the album "The Resurrection of Elmore
James" (Kent LP 9010), also issued in 1969.
Personnel : Elmore James (vocal / guitar) ; Raymond Hill (tenor sax) ;
Eddie Taylor (guitar) ; Johnny Jones (piano) ; unknown (bass) ; Odie Payne
(drums).

January 4, 1956 : THE JODIMARS are at the Capitol Studio in New York City.
Two tracks result from this session : "(Boom Boom) My Bayou Baby" is released
on single (Capitol 3360, February 20, b/w "Dance the Bop" from the October 1955
session), while "So Lonely" stays in the can until the release of the Jodimars
CD "Let's All Rock Together" (Rockstar RSRCD 007) in 1994.
Personnel : Marshall Lytle (vocal / double bass) ; Dick Richards (vocal) ;
Chuck Hess (lead guitar) ; Joey D'Ambrosia (tenor sax) ; Billy Gussak (drums).
Produced by Andy Wiswell.
    
January 5, 1956 : BOBBY MITCHELL records four tracks at J&M Studio in 
New Orleans. "Try Rock 'n' Roll"/"No No No" is chosen for the new single
(Imperial 5378, February). "You Are An Angel" stays in the can till November
when it comes out on Imperial 5412. "I Fell For You" is first released on the
Bear Family 2-CD "I'm Gonna Be A Wheel Someday" in 1997.
Backing by Lee Allen (tenor sax) ; Red Tyler (baritone sax) ; Justin Adams
(guitar) ; Frank Fields (bass) ; Gabriel Fleming (piano) ; Charles 'Hungry'
Williams (drums).
Produced by Dave Bartholomew.
 
January 5, 1956 : PATSY CLINE does a 4-track session in Nashville, which
yields "I Love You Honey"/"Come On In" for her next single (Coral 61583, 
February 5), "I Don't Wanta" (Decca 30504, November 18, 1957) and "I Cried All 
the Way To the Altar", (album "In Memoriam Patsy Cline", LP Everest 1217, 1963).
Session personnel : Harold Bradley (acoustic guitar) ; Owen Bradley (piano,
producer) ; Don Helms (steel guitar) ; Grady Martin (electric guitar) ; Farris
Coursey (drums) ; Bob Moore (bass) ; Tommy Jackson (fiddle).
 
Tuesday, January 10, 1956 : LaVERN BAKER records four tracks at Coastal 
Studios in New York City, released on four different singles as either A or B 
side : "Get Up Get Up (You Sleepy Head)" (Atlantic 1087, February), "I'll
Still Do the Same For You" (Atlantic 1093, May), "Tra La La" (Atlantic 1116, 
November) and "Miracles" (Atlantic 1163, November 1957).
Backing by Sam Taylor (tenor sax) ; Dave McRae (baritone sax) ; John Barrows
(French horn) ; Ernie Hayes (piano) ; George Barnes (guitar) ; Lloyd Trotman
(bass) ; Panama Francis (drums) ; The Gliders (vocal group).
As usual the session was overseen by Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler.
 
January 10-11, 1956 : A milestone in the history of popular music. ELVIS
PRESLEY records his first session for RCA at their studio in Nashville,
produced by Steve Sholes. "Heartbreak Hotel"/"I Was the One" is chosen
for release on a 45, on Friday, January 27 (RCA 6420). "I Got A Woman" will
be selected for his first EP "Elvis Presley" (RCA EPA 747, March), "Money
Honey" and "I'm Counting On You" make their first appearance on his debut
album "Elvis Presley" (RCA LPM 1254), released on March 13. 
Personnel : Elvis Presley (vocal / guitar) ; Scotty Moore (guitar) ; Chet
Atkins (guitar) ; Bill Black (bass) ; Floyd Cramer (piano) ; D.J. Fontana
(drums) ; Gordon Stoker, Ben Speer, Brock Speer (backing vocals).
 
January 11, 1956 : JOHNNY HORTON has his first Columbia session for Don Law
in Nashville (Bradley Studio). "Honky Tonk Man"/"I'm Ready If You're Willing"
is released in March on Columbia 21504 and "I'm A One Woman Man" on Columbia
21538 in July. The fourth track, "I Got A Hole In My Pirogue" ends up on the
B-side of "I'm Coming Home" (Columbia 40813) in January 1957.
Personnel : Johnny Horton (vocal / guitar) ; Grady Martin (guitar) ; Harold
Bradley (guitar) ; Bill Black (bass).
 
January 11, 1956 : THE COASTERS, formerly The Robins, record material for two
singles : "Down In Mexico"/"Turtle Dovin'" (Atco 6064, February) and "One Kiss
Led To Another"/ "Brazil" (Atco 6073, July). The Coasters are : Carl Gardner
(lead), Billy Guy, Leon Hughes and Bonny Nunn. Musicians : Barney Kessel
(guitar) ; Waldo Hamilton (bass) ; Mike Stoller (piano) ; Gil Bernal (tenor
sax) ; Jesse Sailes (drums) ; Chico Guerrero (congas on "Down In Mexico").
Produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller at Master Recorders in Los Angeles.
 
January 12, 1956 : Second King session by JOE TEX, in New York City.
"My Biggest Mistake"/"Right Back To My Arms" comes out on King 4884 in March
and "I Had To Come Back To You" on King 4911 in April. The flip of King 4911,
"She's Mine" is recorded on January 21.
Backing by Dave Van Dyke (tenor sax) ; Andy Gibson (piano, producer) ; Mickey
Baker (guitar) ; Unknown (bass) ; Specs Powell (drums).

January 19, 1956 : In Nashville FARON YOUNG records at Bradley Studio. The
three-track session yields "I've Got Five Dollars And It's Saturday Night"/
"You're Still Mine" for his next single (Capitol 3369) and "Turn Her Down"
which will be used will be used for a future single (Capitol 3549).
Personnel : Faron Young (vocal) ; Hank Garland (electric guitar) ; Teddy
and Doyle Wilburn (guitars) ; Joe Vincent (steel guitar) ; Lightning Chance
(bass) ; Gordon Terry (fiddle) ; Marvin Hughes (piano) ; Farris Coursey (drums).
The Hubert Long Choir delivers vocal support, and the session is produced by
Ken Nelson.
 
Friday, January 20, 1956 : CHARLES CALHOUN (aka Jesse Stone) records a single
for the Groove label at RCA Victor Studio in NYC : "My Pigeon's Gone" b/w
"Jamboree" (Groove G 0149, April).
Personnel : Mickey Baker (guitar) ;  Llloyd Trotman (bass) ; Ernie Hayes
(piano) ; David McRae (baritone sax) ; Al Sears (tenor sax) ; Harold Johnson
(trumpet) ; Panama Francis (drums) ; The Four Students (vocal chorus). 
Produced by Bob Rolontz.
 
January 24, 1956 : SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON (Rice Miller) records five tracks at
the Chess studio in Chicago. "Let Me Explain"/"Your Imagination" is released
in March on Checker 834. The other three tracks, "Don't Lose Your Eye","I
Wonder Why" and "I Know What Love Is All About" are held in the can until the
release of the Chess LP "One Way Out" in 1975.
Personnel : Sonny Boy Williamson (vocal / harmonica) ; Robert Lockwood, Jr.
and Luther Tucker (guitars) ; Willie Dixon (bass) ; Otis Spann (piano) ;
Fred Below (drums). 
 
January 25, 1956 : Two-track session for THE CADILLACS, probably in New York
City. "Shock-A-Doo" is released on Josie 807 in November as the flip of
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". "Oh! Whatcha Do" is first released on
Murray Hill LP box set M61285 in 1983.
The Cadillacs are Earl Carroll, Charles Brooks, Laverne Drake, Bobby Phillips
and Earl Wade.
 
January 25 (?), 1956 : HOWLIN' WOLF records his next single in Chicago :
"Smokestack Lightnin'" b/w "You Can't Be Beat" (Chess 1618, February). 
Personnel : Howlin' Wolf (Chester Burnett) (vocal / harmonica) ; Willie 
Johnson, Hubert Sumlin (guitars) ; Willie Dixon (bass) ; Hosea Lee 
Kennard (piano) ; Earl Phillips (drums).
 
January 26, 1956 : In Cincinnati, MOON MULLICAN records eight tracks with
Boyd Bennett and his Rockets, released on four singles : "Seven Nights To
Rock"/"Honolulu Rock-A-Roll-A" (King 4894, late February) ; "Rock and Roll,
Mr. Bullfrog"/ "I'm Mad With You" (King 4915, April), "Hey Shah"/"Maybe It's
All For the Best" (King 4937, June) and "If You Don't Want No More Of My
Loving"/"Keep A Light In the Window For Me" (King 4979, October).
 
January 26, 1956 : BUDDY HOLLY does his first session for Decca, at the
Quonset Hut (Bradley Studio) in Nashville. "Blue Days, Black Nights"/
"Love Me" becomes his first single (Decca 29854), released on April 16. 
"Midnight Shift" and "Don't Come Back Knockin'" stay on the shelf until 
the release of the "That'll Be the Day" LP (Decca DL 8707, April 14, 1958).
Buddy is accompanied by : Sonny Curtis (lead guitar) ; Grady Martin
(rhythm guitar) ; Don Guess (string bass) ; Doug Kirkham (percussion).
Produced by Owen Bradley.
 
January 26, 1956 : CHUCK WILLIS's final session for OKeh results in the
single "Charged With Cheating"/"Two Spoons Of Tears" (OKeh 7070, July).
"Bless Her Heart" and "Night Of Misery" will end up on Edsel LP 159 and
Epic LP 3728 respectively, much later. Location : New York City. Backing 
by Ray Ellis and his orchestra. Chuck´s next (and last) stop will be Atlantic 
Records.
 
January 29, 1956 : Recording date of "Ivory Tower"/"In Paradise" by OTIS
WILLIAMS and his Charms (DeLuxe 6093, March), which will give them their
biggest pop hit. Location : Cincinnati.
 
January 30 - 31, 1956 : Second RCA session for ELVIS PRESLEY, this time in
New York City (RCA Studios). "My Baby Left Me" will become the B-side of
his second RCA single (RCA 6540, April 28). "Blue Suede Shoes" is selected
for his first EP, "One Sided Love Affair" is a track for Presley's first LP
and "So Glad You're Mine" ends up on the second LP, simply titled "Elvis"
(RCA LPM 1382, October). On the 31st, Elvis records "Tutti Frutti" for his
first EP and "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry" for his first LP.
The EP "Elvis Presley" is completed with "Just Because" (recorded for Sun,
July 1954) and rush released. All four tracks will also be selected for the
LP "Elvis Presley", together with four Sun recordings : "I Love You Because"
and "Blue Moon" (July 1954), "I'll Never Let You Go" (January 1955) and
"Trying To Get To You" (July 1955).
This first album may have been released (March 13) with advance orders of
362.000 (making it RCA's biggest ever LP), it's clear that the contents
weren't as carefully planned as might have been.
Moreover, all twelve tracks are also issued on six singles (RCA 6636 thru
6641) on August 31.  
Musicians : Elvis Presley (vocal / guitar) ; Scotty Moore (guitar) ; Bill
Black (bass) ; Shorty Long (piano) ; D.J. Fontana (drums). Produced by Steve
Sholes.
 
January 31, 1956 : In Dallas (Jim Beck Studio), SID KING and the Five
Strings record a cover of "Blue Suede Shoes", which will be issued on
Columbia 21505 in March, coupled with "Let 'Er Roll" from the same session.
Personnel : Sid King (vocal / guitar) ; Billy King (lead guitar) ; Mel
Robinson (steel guitar) ; Ken Massey (bass) ; Dave White (drums) ; Bill
Simmons (piano). Produced by Don Law.
 
January 1956, unknown date : JOHNNY FULLER records his next two singles in
New Orleans : "Sister Jenny"/"My Heart Is Bleeding" (Imperial 5382, March)
and "Don't Slam That Door"/"Restless" (Imperial 5395, June). 
Personnel : Lee Allen (tenor sax) ; Red Tyler (baritone sax) ; Salvador 
Doucette (piano ); Frank Fields (bass) ; Earl Palmer (drums).
 
January 1956, unknown date : THE SPIDERS have a session at J&M Studio in
New Orleans where five tracks are recorded. "How I Feel"/"Don't Pity Me"
becomes the new single (Imperial 5376, February) ; "That's the Way To Win
My Heart"/"Goodbye" is released in September on Imperial 5405. "I'll Be Free"
is first released on the Bear Family 2-CD "The Spiders : The Imperial
Sessions" (BCD 15673) in 1992. Lead vocals : Chuck Carbo. Backing by Cosimo
Matassa's Studio Band ; sax solos by Lee Allen. Produced by Dave Bartholomew.
 
January 1956, unknown date : BOBBY CHARLES has his second Chess session,
in Chicago this time. "Don't You Know I Love You"/"Why Did You Leave" is
selected for single release (Chess 1617, February), while "Watch It Sprocket"
has to wait until 1984 for release on the album "Chess Masters" (Chess LP
9175). "Did You Know" is unissued and lost.
Personnel : probably Harold Ashby (tenor sax) ; Jody Williams (guitar) ;
Harold Burrage (piano) ; Willie Dixon (bass) ; probably Billy Stepney (drums).
Produced by Willie Dixon and/or Leonard Chess at Universal Recording
Corporation, Chicago.

January 1956, unknown date : At J & M Studio, New Orleans, MERLE KILGORE
records "Please Please Please"/"Teenager's Holiday" for his next single
(Imperial 5379). "Hang Doll" will become the A-side of a future single
(Imperial 5555) and "I Feel Guilty" will have to wait until 1991 when the
CD "Teenagers Holiday" (Bear Family BCD 15444) is released.
Merle Kilgore (vocal / possibly guitar) is backed by : Lee Allen (tenor sax) ;
Earl Palmer (drums), plus a group led by producer Dave Bartholomew.  

January 1956, unknown date : CHARLIE FEATHERS has a recording session in
Memphis for Sam Phillips. "Frankie And Johnny", "Bottle To The Baby", "Honky
Tonk Kind" and "So Ashamed" will stay in the can until 1986, when two takes of
each recorded song are selected for the album "The Legendary 1956 Demo Session"
(ZuZazz LP 1001).
Personnel : Charlie Feathers (vocal / acoustic guitar) ; unknown (lead / steel
guitars) ; probably Jody Chastain (bass) ; probably Johnny Berneo (drums).
  
January 1956, unknown date : Also in Memphis, JACK EARLS records "Crawdad Hole",
which will stay on the shelf for many years. Three different takes of this
song will finally be selected for reissue-albums ("Catalyst volume 1", Charly LP
30101, "Sun Records - The Rocking Years", Sun LP Box 106 and "Rockabilly Blues",
Sun LP 1019).
Personnel : Jack Earls (vocal / guitar) ; Warren Gregory (guitar) ; Tiny Dixon
(steel guitar) ; Johnny Black (bass) ; Danny Wahlquist (drums).  
 
With thanks to Steve Walker and Henk Gorter.

Additions and corrections welcome.
 
Dik

In the can index