Rock 'n' Roll

The Berwick Advertiser, on December 7, 1972, reported: "K-Tel records who have just released their latest budget LP 25 Rockin and Rollin Greats have come in for a spot of bother - by Speciality Records who allege that in the advertising it is stated that the album features 'original hits by original artists'. It appears that this ain't quite true in so far as Little Richard's Lucille, Long Tall Sally and Lloyd Price's Lawdy Miss Clawdy are concerned. Speciality reckoned that they were recorded about 10 years after the originals so they have taken legal advice. Two songs by Bill Haley were recorded in front of a live audience and a spokesman for MCA who own the original Haley recordings added that they were satisfied that the tracks on the K-Tel Album were not the originals, but didn't propose to take any action. Two others under scrutiny are Great Pretender by the Platters and Blue Suede Shoes by Carl Perkins."

In some cases, they have a point.

Lloyd Price's "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" was originally a hit for him in 1952 whereas he had a hit with "Stagger Lee" in 1958. However, the recordings included on this album are from 1959, possibly released on the 1959 ABC-Paramount album The Exciting Lloyd Price.  Similarly, Little Richards tracks were originally recorded in 1956 but the versions here were apparently made in 1971. It would seem that K-tel couldn't come to an agreement with Speciality Records to include their original recordings and found later recording for more amiable labels.

"Rock Around the Clock" was an original hit for Bill Haley in 1954 but "Shake Rattle And Roll" was originally a hit for Big Joe Turner earlier that same year but not in the UK. Therefore, in the context of a British release, it is legitimate to call Haley the original artist, whether or not they are the original studio recordings.

The Platters made the original recording of "The Great Pretender" in 1955 and the album's label says 1956, which was when it became a hit. "Blue Suede Shoes" was originally recorded by Carl Perkins in 1955 but the album label gives the year 1969, which means it is the recording made on February 17, 1969 for the CBS/Columbia album Carl Perkins' Greatest Hits. His recording of Little Richard's "Rip It Up", however, cannot be regarded as an original hit by the original artist.

Although "Let's Have A Party" was originally a single for Elvis Presley in 1957, it was not a hit here whereas Wanda Jackson's was, in 1960.

Ronnie Hawkins has never had a hit in the UK but Larry Williams' original "Bony Moronie" was, in 1958. Hawkins' version was recorded in 1972.