I was a personal friend of Cotton ,as he liked to be called. Spent a lot of time just me and him and my goodness the stories he has told me. He was a wealth of knowledge about the birth of rock and roll. Fun guy to hang with but even more important he was just a real good guy and treated me and my wife very well. I did a good amount of driving for him and those times I will never in my life forget.
Knew him, too. Used to open for him when they came to Seattle. We were about the only blues band in town in those days. You're right, Cotton was a great guy. The whole band was, Charles Calmese, Ken Johnson, Matt Murphy was playing guitar with them in those days. What a treat to play with those guys. And Oh yeah, they could party a little bit, too.
I traveled with Cotton & the Band twice; 1st was during Summer 1972 in Florida, (I paired up with the Bass Player thru my association with [Gary]Propper Productions). The 2nd time was in Septemer 1974 in Ben Lomond, CA - they'd come in to open for Charlie Daniels, then took me on with them down to Monterey for the Pop Festival, and I again paired up but with Drummer that time (could have those flipped)... I last talked to him in Cocoa Beach, FL in my own living room during the Winter of 1985-86 - yes, the man liked to party into the weeeee hours! And yes, he had to have been the sweetest & funnest & funniest of all the bands I traveled with back then!
@TalkingPoints1 : I saw James at a blues concert in Davenport area years ago. During his set, he kept grimacing and holding his stomach. He cut his set short, and I helped him off the stage, asking "James are you alright?" He said "No, I'm not. Can you help me to the bus?" Naturally I did. Once aboard the bus he broke out some medicine (Jack Daniels) and invited me to join him. Although I drank that medicine with James, I still got the flu a few days later. So thanks, James, for everything.
These dudes laid down one of the best-ever live performance tracks on that hot and muggy night. Hard to believe that a half-dozen old, fat, sweaty guys, on a tiny stage, using acoustical instruments with minor amplification and zero synthesized "sound effects" can make such an incredibly smooth and sweet sound. I wonder what today's boy-band or rap stars are going to be doing in 30 or so years. Probably pushing daisies or maybe a broom.
I saw Cotton at the Whiskey on Sunset in LA in 1982. He strolled onto the stage with a water glass filled with JD. He went through most of it during his set, and his playing was never affected. Dunno how he did that - I sure can’t. But, what a great, in the Pocket, player. And a warm, fun-loving personality on stage. We all had a great time that night. One of the best harp players evah!
Rusty Nail! Great little barn out in the woods- saw them there a few times. They'd hang at the bar and were just regular guys. Never were they aloof at all. Frikking James Cotton. Best!
Truly nice man. Chatted with him between sets at a small music club, have his autograph on a cigarette package. Later saw him in a large venue, backing up Johnny Winter!
One of the best live blues rock bands around. Saw them many times in small clubs in Massachusetts. Saw James about seven years ago in Hawaii -- what a difference. He was pretty much by himself and sat down the whole time. God, I miss Rocket '88.
So back in the day luved this song so much talked the old man into buying the last Olds 88 (made in 88). He passed, my brother got the rig, passed it to my son. It's still running 'round the NorthEast Kingdom somewhere. Still luv this tune.
Saw him in 1974 at Michigan State with Matt Murphy and Little Bo on Sax just an awsome concert. He came out with one drop of sweat on his shirt and left with not one dry spot! What a great concert and great harp player. Opened for Johnny Winter. VERY enjoyable night!
I saw him there too. Especially cool hearing him do this song, the first rock n roll song about the car made a couple miles away from the club (Stables) he was playing. And his guitarist at the time was the great Matt Murphy.
I have the original versions of this by Jackie Brenston and Ike Turner, including the out takes, but this is my favourite version, it stomps real fast and James harmonica playing is impeccable and getting all those words out! Thanks for posting this and the Creeper too
Just before Cotton passed away. David Maxwell, and I were at Webster's in Quincy Mass. Enjoying some fine Lebenese food. I had Cotton upon my mind. I told David Maxwell. Who had played piano for Cotton on the road, and in the studio upon recording dates. Dave Maxwell whipped out his phone, and Called Cotton, I was speechless. Looking right into my eyes, Dave Maxwell said Cotton, into his phone. Yes man, it's me Maxwell. I got Stevie Tessier here with me. He wants to say hello to you Cotton. I heard across the table, Little Stevie, put him on David,. Put him on the doggone phone. I said Cotton, I love you.... Thank you, for all you did for me, for loving me, believing in me. For making a good young man a better man. We got emotional together. Couldn't help ourselves. I miss Cotton so much, my heart hurts. Little Bo. Kennard Johnson, Charles Calmease. Matt Murphy. God Bless The Honored Dead......... Love them forever in my heart of Hearts......!!! 🙏
Yes indeed, music historians now regard this song as the FIRST Rock N Roll song noted for it's heavy back beat,written by Ike Turner. Recorded by Sam Phillips of Sun Record fame. It's a hymn of praise to the joys of the Oldsmobile "Rocket 88"
He used always play our town (seattle) he would play until they turned up the house lights up on him,they would have to drag him off stage, and we loved him for it.......
James Cotton made a few singles for the Sun label but the book Rough Guide to the Blues makes no mention of this song under his entry.Neither has Ike Turner's any mention of Cotton. Wikipedia can be changed though by anyone who's a member as its User Content
A famous bluesman once told me that JC was shot 5 times in a bar from some dude who gave him problems a year prior to the incident. I guess JC still has one of the bullets lodged somewhere-tough son of a bitch!
@DaSassyDanca Jazz is a word that describes a genre of music. Blues is a word that describes an emotion. "Whenever you are feeling evil, you got the blues" Howlin'Wolf.
In The James Cotton Band of the 70's played BassPLayer Charles Calmese. He was one of my favorite Bassplayers but very few info is known about him. I know he died in a car or motorcycle accident in the early 80's. Does anyone know more about him? BTW I did a tribute to SONNY BOY II (and another to JIMMY REED) and I like to invite you to my aniamated blues short films with my new recorded musi and have some fun, bye
Charles Calmese died in the fog driving, home from the old Shaboo Inn. After a gig. My good friend Nicky De. Vincent is. Who drove, and bodyguarded for Cotton and Matt Murphy. Had a shrine to Charles Calmese in the basement studio of Nicky's house. On Bailey St. In Quincy Mass. Charles Tour jacket, and a bunch of Cotton's harps were center piece of the shrine.
someone set me straight..o.k ike turner penned with help rocket 88 ......now i find this version ..,,,by accident....in wickipedia says ike penned it..but on jj's site (wick)says he penned it/////anyone??????????????
james is in terrible health today. he doesn't sing and barely has enough oxygen to blow a harp. i saw him in chapel hill, nc 1978. he was great. i hope his health improves. great player
@PaulRx4 Wtf are you talking about? I love James cotton but nobody considers him the start of rock'n'roll. Do some research, gallis pole by Leadbelly is considered the first rock song :|
I was a personal friend of Cotton ,as he liked to be called. Spent a lot of time just me and him and my goodness the stories he has told me. He was a wealth of knowledge about the birth of rock and roll. Fun guy to hang with but even more important he was just a real good guy and treated me and my wife very well. I did a good amount of driving for him and those times I will never in my life forget.
Right on. Amazing brother
Knew him, too. Used to open for him when they came to Seattle. We were about the only blues band in town in those days. You're right, Cotton was a great guy. The whole band was, Charles Calmese, Ken Johnson, Matt Murphy was playing guitar with them in those days. What a treat to play with those guys. And Oh yeah, they could party a little bit, too.
I traveled with Cotton & the Band twice; 1st was during Summer 1972 in Florida, (I paired up with the Bass Player thru my association with [Gary]Propper Productions). The 2nd time was in Septemer 1974 in Ben Lomond, CA - they'd come in to open for Charlie Daniels, then took me on with them down to Monterey for the Pop Festival, and I again paired up but with Drummer that time (could have those flipped)... I last talked to him in Cocoa Beach, FL in my own living room during the Winter of 1985-86 - yes, the man liked to party into the weeeee hours! And yes, he had to have been the sweetest & funnest & funniest of all the bands I traveled with back then!
Ty
Do you happen to know if Cotton had a wife and/or children? Because I can’t seem to find it anywhere on the internet
I miss Cotton so much, my heart hurts. James was such a part of my heart and my first harp teacher.
Rest in peace, James. We will miss you, but Heaven gained another great harmonica player!
He died the same day as Chuck Berry and of course he got dwarfed in the news. But he was truly a master harpist. And a true gentleman.
@TalkingPoints1 : I saw James at a blues concert in Davenport area years ago. During his set, he kept grimacing and holding his stomach. He cut his set short, and I helped him off the stage, asking "James are you alright?" He said "No, I'm not. Can you help me to the bus?" Naturally I did. Once aboard the bus he broke out some medicine (Jack Daniels) and invited me to join him. Although I drank that medicine with James, I still got the flu a few days later. So thanks, James, for everything.
These dudes laid down one of the best-ever live performance tracks on that hot and muggy night. Hard to believe that a half-dozen old, fat, sweaty guys, on a tiny stage, using acoustical instruments with minor amplification and zero synthesized "sound effects" can make such an incredibly smooth and sweet sound. I wonder what today's boy-band or rap stars are going to be doing in 30 or so years. Probably pushing daisies or maybe a broom.
I saw Cotton at the Whiskey on Sunset in LA in 1982. He strolled onto the stage with a water glass filled with JD. He went through most of it during his set, and his playing was never affected. Dunno how he did that - I sure can’t. But, what a great, in the Pocket, player. And a warm, fun-loving personality on stage. We all had a great time that night. One of the best harp players evah!
this was the 1st blues i was exposed to and thats 37 yrs ago and i still say it's the best
Saw JC several times in the early '70s at the Rusty Nail in Sunderland, MA. The band he had at that time couldn't be beat!!
Rusty Nail! Great little barn out in the woods- saw them there a few times. They'd hang at the bar and were just regular guys. Never were they aloof at all. Frikking James Cotton. Best!
The Kenny Johnson Double Shuffle!!!
Truly nice man. Chatted with him between sets at a small music club, have his autograph on a cigarette package. Later saw him in a large venue, backing up Johnny Winter!
One of the best live blues rock bands around. Saw them many times in small clubs in Massachusetts. Saw James about seven years ago in Hawaii -- what a difference. He was pretty much by himself and sat down the whole time. God, I miss Rocket '88.
been playing harp since i was a little over 8 years of age, 21 now and i tell ya I've never heard anything better than Mr JC.
Cotton was a part of my heart. From an early age. I miss him terribly every day. God bless the dead.....!!!
Who can listen to this without tapping the foot or slapping the knee?? Was doing that 34 years ago and still am today, will be till I die.
I met James, Gutair Matt Murphy and the boys back in the late 70's in Lenox Mass. He was a really super nice guy. Great music too. Hope he's well.
So back in the day luved this song so much talked the old man into buying the last Olds 88 (made in 88). He passed, my brother got the rig, passed it to my son. It's still running 'round the NorthEast Kingdom somewhere. Still luv this tune.
his drums were nailed down and chained together - wicked suffle
R.I.P. James....now you are reunited with muddy and the boys.
Saw him in 1974 at Michigan State with Matt Murphy and Little Bo on Sax just an awsome concert. He came out with one drop of sweat on his shirt and left with not one dry spot! What a great concert and great harp player. Opened for Johnny Winter. VERY enjoyable night!
Saw him at The Commodore in Vancouver. Awesome.
Im falling in love!!!! He is FUCKING awesome!
@DrumzzKool Great point - 50 years ago, Bob Dylan was rapping the blues with I Shall Be Free and Bob Dylan's Dream.
Back in the 70s saw him many times at the Shaboo, willamantic CT
Going to see him tonight. !!!!
もうこのノリが好きすぎて痺れる。超格好いい。
i saw this band with guitar murphy in 1974 in lansing... INCREDIBLE
I saw him there too. Especially cool hearing him do this song, the first rock n roll song about the car made a couple miles away from the club (Stables) he was playing. And his guitarist at the time was the great Matt Murphy.
Moving and grovin along! Sweet as it gets!
All right all right PHS Class of 75 !!
Love ya James!
Thanks for all of 'em, diabluz!
There ain't enough stars in the sky to give James!
awesome high energy blues!
Love this song !! Just found it today.. yeah 👌
They are the greatest...thanks!
This is fabulous!!!!!! Thank you for posting it! I love James Cotton.
A Hoppin Tune. YAY James C. Joe MANGAN. Great Video
I feel honoured to have been christened James.Jim.Liverpool.
I have the original versions of this by Jackie Brenston and Ike Turner, including the out takes, but this is my favourite version, it stomps real fast and James harmonica playing is impeccable and getting all those words out! Thanks for posting this and the Creeper too
Thank You!I`ve been looking for this too.More please!
I love this!!!
I'm very glad you liked it, he's just great! I just uploaded other two videos, enjoy.
Love you James!
Love this version, James does it complete justice and adds something to the mix. Decent recording too, an added bonus. Thanks for posting it.
God,I love it!! Thanx to whoever posted. Keep it up.
Looks like the Shaboo Inn mid 70s he played there a lot one of the best high energy blues bands ever!
We saw him at the Shaboo back then, but this is a different band than when we saw him. He could bring the house down.
Just before Cotton passed away. David Maxwell, and I were at Webster's in Quincy Mass. Enjoying some fine Lebenese food. I had Cotton upon my mind. I told David Maxwell. Who had played piano for Cotton on the road, and in the studio upon recording dates. Dave Maxwell whipped out his phone, and Called Cotton, I was speechless. Looking right into my eyes, Dave Maxwell said Cotton, into his phone. Yes man, it's me Maxwell. I got Stevie Tessier here with me. He wants to say hello to you Cotton. I heard across the table, Little Stevie, put him on David,. Put him on the doggone phone. I said Cotton, I love you.... Thank you, for all you did for me, for loving me, believing in me. For making a good young man a better man. We got emotional together. Couldn't help ourselves. I miss Cotton so much, my heart hurts. Little Bo. Kennard Johnson, Charles Calmease. Matt Murphy. God Bless The Honored Dead......... Love them forever in my heart of Hearts......!!! 🙏
Yes indeed, music historians now regard this song
as the FIRST Rock N Roll song noted for it's heavy back beat,written by Ike Turner. Recorded by Sam Phillips of Sun Record fame. It's a hymn of praise to the joys of the Oldsmobile "Rocket 88"
This is awesome.
He used always play our town (seattle)
he would play until they turned up
the house lights up on him,they would have to drag him off stage, and we loved him for it.......
that dudes Sweat Game is up there with the all-time greats
Smokin' hot. Thanks.
Superb fast rockin' blues!
Stellar!
Rocket 88 written by Ike Turnner !!
Thank you!
James Cotton made a few singles for the Sun label but the book Rough Guide to the Blues makes no mention of this song under his entry.Neither has Ike Turner's any mention of Cotton.
Wikipedia can be changed though by anyone who's a member as its User Content
LMAO listen to the sax lick at 54 seconds it was sick but theres a note that makes me choke up and laugh
Made my day brother!
quelle énergie, superbe.
Killer band!!!!
A famous bluesman once told me that JC was shot 5 times in a bar from some dude who gave him problems a year prior to the incident. I guess JC still has one of the bullets lodged somewhere-tough son of a bitch!
Ty friends 💓
@DaSassyDanca
Jazz is a word that describes a genre of music.
Blues is a word that describes an emotion. "Whenever you are feeling evil, you got the blues" Howlin'Wolf.
@DaSassyDanca The beat.
@converse2931 Cotton's Superharp cover always sounded a little more like the Bill Haley version.
perfecto esto si es muzika
Amen.
Jump Style Blues
Bobby bland found out before he died,James cotton is his half brother,can tell expecially older pics
R.I.P.
That sax man's got the tools! - you can hear him trying to resist running away with the whole tune.... wonder who it is... he sounds top notch.
Considered by many musicologists the start of Rock and Roll, before Bill Haley and
the Comets!!! Mostly filed under Blues. Seminal music for sure.
Whoa! Asides from being a harp god I didn't know he had such smooth flow. He could be a rapper
cool
RIP
James and band are styling.
It doesn't sound like my old LP, but it still good.
@DaSassyDanca a lot of the chords used and the all around flow, jazz is usually a lot more arbitrary and either very technical or very random
In The James Cotton Band of the 70's played BassPLayer Charles Calmese. He was one of my favorite Bassplayers but very few info is known about him. I know he died in a car or motorcycle accident in the early 80's. Does anyone know more about him?
BTW I did a tribute to SONNY BOY II (and another to JIMMY REED) and I like to invite you to my aniamated blues short films with my new recorded musi and have some fun,
bye
Charles Calmese died in the fog driving, home from the old Shaboo Inn. After a gig. My good friend Nicky De. Vincent is. Who drove, and bodyguarded for Cotton and Matt Murphy. Had a shrine to Charles Calmese in the basement studio of Nicky's house. On Bailey St. In Quincy Mass. Charles Tour jacket, and a bunch of Cotton's harps were center piece of the shrine.
it was ike turner!!
Are they on speed?
yeah im aware of the history of wikapedia....its a youtube without video
I think better example is subterranean homesick blues :D its more like rap then those songs
M.W.:"Ehy! I'm Muddy Waters!"
James Cotton:"YEAH! I'm Jesus Christ!"
We gone.
He must have drivin' an Olds to sing like that
The 11 people who liked this song, drive imports
jo
NOT THE FIRST
someone set me straight..o.k ike turner penned with help rocket 88 ......now i find this version ..,,,by accident....in wickipedia says ike penned it..but on jj's site (wick)says he penned it/////anyone??????????????
Wasn't this song written originally by Ike Turner.
Not me 49 Merc Chop top, oh yea
james is in terrible health today. he doesn't sing and barely has enough oxygen to blow a harp. i saw him in chapel hill, nc 1978. he was great. i hope his health improves. great player
@PuR3miKe blues
What Key Was he playing in
+Matthew Givens (MR.G) E on a A Harmonica
the sweat on him is a little unnerving..could someone get Mr. Cotton a hand towel please? awesome harpin though
made for Wernher von Braun
@angrykoopa
Where do you think "rap" came from?
THE BLUES.
Investigate and you will be enlightened...seek and you shall find.
@PaulRx4 Wtf are you talking about? I love James cotton but nobody considers him the start of rock'n'roll. Do some research, gallis pole by Leadbelly is considered the first rock song :|
@guitarismysword1 yo that is an old ass comment
Did the guy chop himself a line before performing or what?
blow
i dout u can jump style to this lol