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Artist
Warren Smith
12+ albums
rockabilly50sRock and Rollrock n rollcountry
about
There are at least two artists/musicians by the name of Warren Smith. Warren Smith (b. 7 February 1932, Humphreys County, Mississippi - d. 31 January 1980) was a pioneer rockabilly singer and guitar player. Smith was born to Ioda and Willie Warren Smith, who divorced when he was young. He was raised by his maternal grandparents in Louise, Mississippi where they had a small farm and dry goods store. Smith took up the guitar to while away his evenings while in the United States Air Force stationed in San Antonio, Tx. By the time of his discharge from the service, he had decided to make a career of music. He moved to West Memphis, Arkansas and auditioned, successfully, to play the Cotton Club, a local hot spot. Steel guitarist Stan Kessler, who was playing at that nightclub with the Snearly Ranch Boys, immediately spotted Smith's potential and took him to Memphis' famed Sun Records, to audition for Sam Phillips with the Snearly Ranch Boys providing backup. Phillips liked what he heard, and decided that "Rock & Roll Ruby", a song credited to Johnny Cash, would be Smith's first record. (Smith later claimed that "Rock & Roll Ruby" was actually written by George Jones and sold to Cash for $40.) Smith recorded that rock & roll classic on February 5, 1956. Phillips, who was hedging his bets over whether rock & roll would maintain its popularity, released that record with a country crooner, aptly named "I'd Rather Be Safe Than Sorry", on the flip side. By May 26, "Rock & Roll Ruby
top songs
albums
The Legendary Sun Classics
The Sun Records Sound of Warren Smith (20 Rockabilly Favorites)
Sun Records Originals: Rock 'n' Roll Ruby
The Roots Of The Cramps
Im Gone Real Gone
Presents His Memorial Album
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Complete Sun Records
Rokabilly Legend
Rockabilly Legend
Rockabilly Insanity
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Essential Sun Rockabillies Vol.1
Classic Recordings, 1956-1959