Carl Perkins

Praise for Carl Perkins: The King of Rockabilly



“As portrayed in Jeff Apter’s Carl Perkins: The King of Rockabilly, Perkins certainly earns the claim in the book’s subtitle. A music writer from Australia, Mr. Apter is an unabashed fan, and his quote-studded account . . . captures the thrills of Perkins’s music and his down-to-earth personality. It also serves as a lively primer for the uninitiated and a go-to source of arcana for rockabilly cultists. Mr. Apter gives Perkins his due as the genre’s first auteur—songwriter, singer and guitarist’s guitarist who influenced generations of musicians, from the Beatles to revivalists like the Stray Cats. Ironically, Perkins’s many gifts were often overshadowed by his signature song, ‘Blue Suede Shoes,’ the rockabilly anthem that became more famous than its creator.” —The Wall Street Journal

“Suited to ardent rockabilly fans.” —Publishers Weekly


“Australian music and popular culture writer Apter adds to his shelf of music biographies with this affectionate look into the life of rockabilly legend Carl Perkins. Apter adopts a fairly strict chronology, from Perkins’s childhood days picking cotton in rural Tennessee through his signing with Sun Records, his Million Dollar Quartet sessions, and his rise to international fame while rubbing shoulders and singing or playing guitar with a veritable who’s-who of the popular music world. From Johnny Cash to the Beatles, Perkins counted almost all the greats as friends. But he may be best remembered for writing songs covered by others, such as Elvis Presley’s rendition of ‘Blue Suede Shoes.’ Poignant episodes dealing with Perkins’s overcoming alcohol-use disorder and family tragedies are juxtaposed with joyful tours in Britain and beyond. Apter also details Perkins’s social justice efforts, including establishing a child-abuse prevention center in Jackson, TN. An extensive bibliography and helpful epilogue are included, bringing readers up to date on developments since Perkins’s death. Other than Perkins’s own 1996 autobiography, little has been published about him, and Apter admirably fills the gap with this detailed and emotionally charged biography.” —Library Journal

“Carl Perkins was above all else my friend for over twenty-five years. I’m thankful that he is not forgotten. I very much enjoyed the book, which brought back so many memories.” —Wes Henley, bandmate and friend of Carl Perkins

“Apter’s narrative is rich with insider details, exploring not only Perkins’ musical achievements but also his personal battles and humanitarian efforts. This biography offers readers a comprehensive look at the man who, as Paul McCartney famously said, played a pivotal role in the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. For those interested in the history of Rock ‘n’ Roll Highway 67, Carl Perkins: The King of Rockabilly is a must-read. The book’s in-depth exploration of Perkins’ career and life provides valuable insight into the legacy of a man whose influence helped shape the sound of rock ‘n’ roll. Perkins’ story is not just a tale of music; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of an artist who, despite the odds, left an indelible mark on the world.” —Rock ‘n’ Roll Highway

“A worthy chronicle of the Sun Records trailblazer. In the absence of your classic arc to glory, perdition and redemption, the author finds virtue instead in Stoic consistency as he pursues a meticulous six-decade chronology of the rockabilly cat’s road, every flop album just a pothole en route to, er, another shot of Blue Suede Shoes.’ —The Sydney Morning Herald

“An overdue remembrance of a pioneer of American music.” —Lincoln Journal Star

“If you are a fan of Carl Perkins, of ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ days, Jeff Apter’s new biography, Carl Perkins: The King of Rockabilly, is a loving and detailed look at his life, focusing on the deep affection that McCartney, Harrison, and other rock stars had for this gifted and modest man.” —Robert Hilburn, author of Johnny Cash: The Life, Paul Simon: The Life, and A Few Words in Defense of Our Country: The Biography of Randy Newman


“This fine biography really does justice to Mr. Blue Suede Shoes!” —Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats

“Jeff Apter has succeeded in bringing Carl Perkins to life—not only as a rock and roll pioneer, but as a father, brother, friend, and colleague. In moving prose, Apter tells us about Carl’s dirt-poor childhood, his struggle for fame, and his close friendships with Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and, especially, Johnny Cash. Apter practically brings us to tears as we see the Beatles, Carl’s biggest fans, introduce him to a new generation of listeners. This is an essential book for fans of rock and its history.” —Elizabeth J. Rosenthal, author of His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John and The Master of Drums: Gene Krupa and the Music He Gave the World

“If Elvis Presley was the voice, Carl Perkins was the sound. Not since Nick Tosches’s Hellfire has a book on rock ’n’ roll’s wildest ancestors been laid as bare or with as much impassioned scholarship. With a fresh take on the genre’s earliest roots, Jeff Apter’s chronicle of rockabilly’s favorite son is the real deal—blazing, rocking vignettes and firsthand accounts offer us a front-row seat to the life and art of the guitarist who unabashedly shaped the American rock sound and once gave another king a real run for his money. Apter masterfully reminds us that there would be no rock ’n’ roll without the blazing guitar of this great innovator. A must for music fans and crucial for those whose hearts beat rockabilly. Long live Carl Perkins—the original king!” —C. M. Kushins, author of Beast: John Bonham and the Rise of Led Zeppelin

“If there’s an old-time music lover on your list, check out Carl Perkins: The King of Rockabilly. Like most good biographies, this book takes readers back to Perkins’ childhood and his earliest influences, moving through to the start of his career and his pioneering work, as well as the people he played with, onstage and off. This is the book to give someone who remembers the music of the ’50s or the one who wasn’t ‘there’ but still loves those tunes.” —The Bookworm Sez

“‘Well, it’s one for the money, two for the show/three to get ready, now go, cat, go.’ That’s just what Australian music writer Jeff Apter does in his affectionate, straight-ahead biography Carl Perkins: The King of Rockabilly. While ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ became the hit that propelled Carl Perkins to the top of the charts, selling 250,000 copies just one month after its release in January 1956, and became the song with which he became most associated, Perkins went on to write songs such as ‘Daddy Sang Bass,’ ‘Honey, Don’t,’ and ‘Dixie Fried’ that were cut by many other artists, including Johnny Cash, the Beatles, and Elvis. . . . Will appeal primarily to fans of Perkins, but the book’s short and well-paced chapters also serve as a useful introduction to Perkins and his music.” —No Depression