By Chris Murphy
Photos by Michael J Mangano
Lee Rocker brought the Rockabilly to Modesto USA for Graffiti Summer. It was a special night to have Lee and his band play the hits of the music that was born here in Modesto in 1938. From our Maddox Brothers and Rose, to Elvis and the Blue Moon Boys to the explosion of the Stray Cats in the 80s, Rockabilly is what put the Rock in Rock and Roll. Lee delivered that and more at the Gallo Center as he played his famous hits, took us on a tour of the roots of rock with That’s Alright Mama and the City of New Orleans, and then lit it up with some new songs.
The show was fantastic and his band delivered big time. Guitarist Buzz Carpenter was all liquid speed and his riffs and licks were super cool.
They really brought these songs to full speed and Lee’s voice brought it home. Lee also showed his versatility as a musician and a songwriter. For prime time, he totally delivered the Stray Cats hits Fishnet Stockings, Rumble in Brighton and Rock This Town, Rockabilly Boogie and others. Also very cool he played Built for Speed, one of my faves from their first LP.
He was a great storyteller, super gracious and it was cool to see the history videos and his connection with the Beatles and Carl Perkins.
Those that missed this show missed one of the key musicians in Rock and Roll and one if the best performed shows in recent history. Modesto was lucky to get a Lee Rocker Band show as the Stray Cats are on tour with a #1 record. This was a night of amazing music and everyone who went was super stoked. Rockabilly music makes people happy and hope he will come back again.
You can read about the birth of Rockabilly here: modestomusichistory.com/
#leerocker #straycats #rockabilly #homeofrockabilly #modestomusichistory
