A-side Straight Skirt Released 1958 Recorded 1958 - Los Angeles, CA | B-side School Of Rock 'n Roll Format Vinyl record, 45rpm Genre Rockabilly | |
"School Of Rock 'n Roll" is a song composed by James McClung in 1958 and published by Song Productions, BMI the same year. It was originally recorded by Gene Summers and his Rebels, a rockabilly band from Dallas, Texas and was first released in February 1958 by Jan Records #11-100. It was flipped with "Straight Skirt" a teen novelty 45 which became the group's first big regional hit.
Contents
"School Of Rock 'n Roll" later became widely known as one of the top 100 rock 'n roll records of the era. In the 1970s, at the beginning of the rockabilly revival in Europe, "School Of Rock 'n Roll" was re-discovered by a new legion of rockabilly fans and bands. Since that time it has become a classic dance floor-filler and has renewed Gene's career to the extent of worldwide concert appearances since 1980.
Acclaim
In 2005 "School of Rock 'n Roll" was selected by Bob Solly and Record Collector Magazine as one of the 100 Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Records. "School Of Rock 'n Roll" was also present in the British television series "You've Been Framed" and was included on the Rhino Records CD box sets "Wild, Fast And Out Of Control" (1999) and "Rockin' Bones" (2006). The song has also been featured on "Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour" (2006) and also appears on the Bob Dylan 4-CD box set "Radio Radio" issued in 2011.
Reviews
"Nice to have here Gene Summers singing about the place where all the up- turned collar cats wanted to walk and any Richard Dadier wanted to teach, “School of Rock ‘n Roll”. It was Gene’s first record (Jan 11-100) and a fabulous slice of Texas Rock ‘n’ Roll that could scare any teacher. A definitive classic even issued in Canada and South Africa!" - Dominique “Imperial” Anglares
"Where Chuck Berry's "School Day" is a precise sketch of the tedium of a typical American
high school, whether it is the Class of 1958 or 2007, Gene Summers' "School of Rock 'N Roll"
is pure greaser fantasy, the kind of place where the only use for books is to steady a wobbling amplifier".
"Gene Summers' "School of Rock’n’Roll" is right up there when it comes to chalking the demarcation line between the teenage and adult worlds. No one can be left in any doubt after hearing this rip-roaring two minutes of rockin’ at its wildest that Summers & his Rebels were aiming straight for the hormonal jugular – squares beware!" -CD liner notes
"...this is the sound of a country spreading its wings musically, exploring the roots and preparing to enter Gene Summer's "School of Rock'n'Roll". Be there or be square!" -CD Liner notes
"School of Rock 'n Roll" is a gas! It lives up to its title. It is one of the most perfect rock 'n roll records that never became a hit. Everything about it is just right. Summers' voice rasping great juvenile lyrics - they rock on the blackboard, they rock on the desk - at this here school all you learn to do is rock! - is matched by a truly rocking band, bopping piano, thundering drums and cutting guitar solos from (James) McClung. If you are only allowed one rock 'n roll record on your desert island, this is the one to take." -Bob Solly, 2005
"...Each week, Mr. Dylan picks a theme and plays music around that theme. For example, today's show will be School featuring songs such as "Homework" by Otis Rush, "School's Out" by Alice Cooper and "School of Rock 'n Roll" by Gene Summers." - nexistepas, posted by Dan
Cover versions of "School Of Rock 'n Roll"
Rockhouse LPL 9201. 1991 Netherlands
Rarity Records CD-192527, 1996 Belgium
Wildcat Records LP-JE3D, 1990 United States
Tomb Records CD-2009, 1993 Germany
Rockhouse Productions CD RHS-50421-3, 1995 United States
Ohio Moon Records CD-790, 2004 United States
Rough House Records CD RHCD-003, 2004 Japan
Pair Of Dice Records CD PODR-002, 2004 United States
Rockhouse Records LP-9106, 1991 Netherlands
The Lennerockers CD Lennerockers “Rebels And More” Lenne Records 2CD LR-00008, 2002 Germany (previously unissued Lennerockers tracks)
Raucous Records (record #) (date) UK
Eagle Records LP NMLP-32, 1989 Sweden
Killroy Records LP KFA-13065, 1979 Netherlands
Savage Kalman & Explosion Rockets CD Savage Kalman “School Of Rock And Roll” SKY/Telstar Records (record #), 1998 Netherlands
Old Rock Records CD ORR-20041, 2004 Sweden
Presto Records P-101, 1989 United States
Golly Gee Records CD GGR-1031, 2004 United States
of "School Of Rock 'n Roll") Golly Gee Records CD GGR-(#), 2003 United States
NV Records CD NVCD-10, 1994 UK
Cool And Crazy Records COOL CD002, 1998, UK. “School Of Rock ‘n Roll” guitar riff was adapted to track #10 titled “Yes, I Do”
Arffytune Records, 2014 USA
Private recording, late 1960s. According to a 1998 Now Dig This! review of Derek Henderson's book "Gene Vincent A Discography", there is a Complete A-Z listing of the 217 song titles he’s (Vincent) known to have recorded-everything from the Capital biggies such as "Say Mama", "Rocky Road Blues", and "Wildcat" to lesser known items such as private recordings of "Stand by Me", "Chain Gang" and "School Of Rock 'n Roll". Also, according to Rockin' Ronnie Weiser during a May 19, 1997 interview: -“At first I tried to get Gene (Vincent) to record Gene Summers’ "School Of Rock 'n Roll" without much success. So then I told him to do whatever he wanted. The gem out of this 4-song recording session was “The Rose of Love” which brings tears to my eyes.”
Big Beat Records BBR-0013, 1981 France “School Of Rock ‘n Roll was a huge influence for this record.” -Thierry LeCoz of the Teen Kats, 1999
*Thierry Lecoz CD Thierry LeCoz “Tex-French Connection” Big Beat Records CD BBR-0081, 2003 France Recorded Onstage at the House Of Live, Paris, France July 3, 2002
Thierry LeCoz DVD “Tex-French Connection” BIG Beat Records BBR DVD 0001, 2003 France Recorded Onstage at the House Of Live, Paris, France July 3, 2002