Johnny and the Hurricanes’ “Red River Rock” (1967) – The Psy

Johnny and the Hurricanes were an American instrumental rock band, who had a string of hits in the United Kingdom in the 1960s. They are best known in the UK for their hit records “Red River Rock” (1959) and “Reveille Rock” (1960). In the US, their biggest hit was “Down Yonder” (1961).

Introduction

“Red River Rock” is a 1959 single by rock and roll band Johnny and the Hurricanes. The song, written by melding together various blues motifs, was a top five hit in the United Kingdom and Australia and remains the group’s best-known song. In North America, it was overshadowed by a contemporaneous cover version by Bill Haley & His Comets.

The song consists of two parts, an instrumental section and a sung section. The instrumentals are based on various blues guitar motifs, while the vocals tell the story of a man who crosses the Red River to find his love.

Despite its success in other parts of the world, “Red River Rock” was not initially released as a single in the United States. However, it received significant airplay on radio and was eventually released as a single in 1965, four years after its original release elsewhere. The song peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it one of only two Johnny and the Hurricanes’ songs to chart in the United States.

The Psy of “Red River Rock”

The Psy of “Red River Rock” by Johnny and the Hurricanes is a song about a rock n’ roll band. The song is about the band’s experiences on the road and how they feel about their music. The song is also about how the band members are all from different parts of the world and how they all came together to form a band.

The Riff

“Red River Rock” is a great example of the use of the I-IV-V progression in rock. The main riff is based on the notes E, A, and B, which are the 1st, 4th, and 5th notes of the E major scale. This riff is played throughout most of the song, with a few variations.

The first variation of the riff is played during the intro and verse sections. It consists of just the notes E and B, which are still part of the I-IV-V progression. This variation sounds more like a bluesy shuffle than the original riff.

The second variation is played during the chorus section. It adds in the note G#, which is the 2nd note of the E major scale. This gives the riff a more whimsical sound that fits with the chorus lyrics about being “blown away.”

The third and final variation is played during the bridge section. It consists of just the notes A and B, which are still part of the I-IV-V progression. This variation sounds more like a minor chord than the other two variations.

The Solo

The main riff of “Red River Rock” is played by saxophonist Paulhino daCosta. It is a great example of what can be done with a simple three note figure, played on one note of the scale.

The basic idea is to play the three notes, then hold the last note while bending it up a half step. This gives the riff a bit of an bluesy feel, which fits in perfectly with the song’s overall vibe.

The Legacy of “Red River Rock”

“Red River Rock” is a song written by John B. Sebastian and recorded by Johnny and the Hurricanes. The song was released in October 1959 as a single and became a major hit, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been credited as being an early influence on the development of punk rock.

The Cover Versions

“Red River Rock” was originally released as a single by Johnny and the Hurricanes in 1959, but it was not until the song was covered by The Ventures in 1960 that it became a hit. The Ventures’ version reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and helped to launch the surf music craze of the early 1960s. “Red River Rock” has since been covered by a number of artists, including Dick Dale, Brian Setzer, and Los Straitjackets.

The Ventures’ cover of “Red River Rock” is widely considered to be one of the best surf rock songs of all time. Dick Dale’s cover is also highly regarded, and his version reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1962. Brian Setzer’s cover, which was included on his album The Ultimate Collection (2000), is more modern take on the song that still manages to capture the original’s surf rock feel. Los Straitjackets’ cover, which appears on their album The Ultimate Collection (2001), is a more traditional surf rock rendition that stays true to the original sound of the song.

The Influence

When Johnny and the Hurricanes’ cover of “Red River Rock” was released in 1967, it quickly became a hit, reaching #5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. The song’s popularity had a lasting impact on the band, helping to secure their place in rock and roll history.

“Red River Rock” was originally written and recorded by rockabilly artist Joe Bennett and the Sparkletones in 1957. The song became a minor hit, but it was Johnny and the Hurricanes’ cover that would achieve true mainstream success. The band added their own unique twist to the song, infusing it with elements of R&B and pop. The result was a catchy, danceable track that appealed to a wide audience.

The song’s popularity helped to propel the band to new heights of success. They went on to release a string of hits, including “Down Yonder” (1959), “Reveille Rock” (1960), and “Beatnik Fly” (1961). Though the band eventually disbanded, their music continues to be popular today, thanks in large part to “Red River Rock.”