Rockabilly View
In Memoriam – Don Maddox
There are very few people in the world left that participated, created and witnessed the birth of Rock and Roll. Modesto is fortunate to have been the home of one such person, KC Don Juan Maddox of the legendary Maddox Brothers & Rose.
Quite simply, in 1938, the first notes of what would become Rock n Roll, were played by Fred Maddox, slapping the strings of his upright bass on KTRB Radio. The Maddox family made their way to Modesto to pick fruit during the dust bowl era and music was the escape from the labors of farm work. After World War II, the Maddox family music was all over the airwaves with the whip smart vocals and banter of Rose Maddox and Don Maddox, the lead fiddle player. Their music was upbeat and fun at that time called Hillbilly Boogie. They toured across the USA, inspiring musicians and bands including a young Elvis Presley and his band the Blue Moon boys. Bass player Bill Black idolized Fred Maddox and they slapping bass would make a huge noise in Elvis’ That’s All Right Mama. Don and the Maddox Brothers and rose would perform through the 1950s and when Rose left to become a solo artist, Don took his earnings and moved to Oregon to raise cattle and occasionally playing all over the world. Don Maddox was honored at the Modesto Area Music Awards with a lifetime achievement in 2013 where he performed with local all-star Rockabilly line up and then teaming up with Rockabilly icon Deke Dickerson at a show at Hero’s.
Don never really believed the impact that his music had on Rock n Roll and even referenced me in the Ken Burns’ documentary on Country Music. Don was a legends’ legend, idolized by the musicians that came behind him like Marty Stuart, and he wisecracked through his life, bold and living fully until his passing on September 12 at 98 years old.
Today, this music lives on around the world with the Stray Cats, Reverend Horton Heat, Big Sandy and also with our local Rockabilly movement with Tony T and the Pendletons, the slapping bass of Amie Estelle, Rockin’ Rick & the Rhythm Wranglers, the Central Valley Greasers and the legendary Roddy Jackson who still travels the world playing Rockabilly. ModestoView is supporting twice monthly Rockabilly showcases at the Speakeasy that will make you want to get up and dance.
To learn more about our Rockabilly and local music history, please check out:
www.modestomusichistory.com
Go see Tony T & the Pendletons and special guests the Rocketz on October 1 and with the Infamous Swanks on October 22 at the Speakeasy presented by MAMA, Trevino’s Barber and ModestoView. Get on out there, it will be a blast!
