Joe Clay
| Joe Clay | |
|---|---|
| Born |
September 9, 1938 Harvey, Louisiana |
| Origin | Gretna, Louisiana |
| Died | September 26, 2016 (aged 78) |
| Genres | Rockabilly |
| Instruments | Drums, guitar, bass guitar |
| Labels | Vik Records |
| Associated acts | Mickey Baker, Skeeter Best, Leonard Gaskin |
Claiborne Joseph Cheramie[1] (September 9, 1938 – September 26, 2016), better known by his stage name Joe Clay, was an American rockabilly musician. He was from Gretna, Louisiana.
Career
Clay was born in Harvey, Louisiana.[1] His parents encouraged an early interest in country music and at the age of 12, he was already a competent drummer, later also learning rhythm guitar and electric bass.[2] Clay began performing at that age in a country band, who were offered a spot performing on the local radio station WWEZ. RCA subsidiary Vik Records signed him a few years later, while he was still in his teens; he recorded in New York with guitarists Mickey Baker and Skeeter Best, bassist Leonard Gaskin, and drummers Bobby Donaldson and Joe Marshall. He drove a school bus for 15 years in the New Orleans area. "During 1955 his local reputation enabled him to play the prestigious Louisiana Hayride out of Shreveport where he shared billing with the newly emerging Elvis Presley." The source also mentioned he filled in as a drummer for Presley when he played Pontchartrain Amusement Park in New Orleans, when D.J. Fontana could not make the gig.[3]
In 1956, he appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show,[1] a few months before Elvis Presley performed thereon, and Clay played a cover of The Platters' hit "Only You (And You Alone)". Clay would later play guitar on some of Presley's recordings, but his manager would not let him tour outside the New Orleans area, and he never scored a hit.[1]
After being dropped from RCA, he continued performing in New Orleans for over 30 years. In the 1980s, the rockabilly revival in Europe resulted in renewed interest in Clay; he then toured England in 1986.[1]
In 2008, he appeared in an award-winning Canadian documentary entitled Rockabilly 514, directed by Patricia Chica and Mike Wafer. He spoke about his early beginnings as a rockabilly musician in the 1950s and his fascination for the new generation of rockabilly kids. He's also seen performing live his single "Sixteen Chicks" among an enthusiastic crowd of young rockabilly fans.
Clay died on September 26, 2016 at the age of 78.[4]
Discography
| Year | Title | Record label |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | "Duck Tail" / "Sixteen Chicks" | Vik Records |
| 1956 | "Get On The Right Track" / "Cracker Jack" | Vik Records |
| 1962 | "Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind" / "Don’t Know What To Do" | Samter Records |
| 1963 | "Love You" / "My Heart Loves Only You" | Samter Records |
| 1963 | "I Get So Blue" / "Little Darlin'" | Samter Records |
| N/K |
|
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Ron DePasquale (1938-09-08). "Joe Clay | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
- ↑ Ducktail cover article was written by Ian Wallis, June 1986
- ↑ LP cover in 1986 from Bear Records
- ↑ "Obituary – Claiborne Joseph "Joe Clay" Cheramie". Mothe Funeral Homes. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
- ↑ "Joe Clay Discography". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2016-09-27.