S.O.D. "Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache" by Warren Smith

7/17/2015      Bob Dylan recorded a studio version of this tune in 2001 and frequently features Smith's music on his XM Satellite Radio show, "Theme Time Radio Hour."  Smith's contributions to rockabilly were monumental and recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.  He learned to play guitar in the Air Force and upon being discharged auditioned at the Cotton Club, a local hotspot in Memphis Arkansas where he was now a resident.  Stan Kessler, a steel guitarist also playing at that club recognized Smith's potential right off and took him to Sun Records to audition for Sam Phillips.  Sam liked what he heard, signed Smith and decided that his first record should be "Rock and Roll Ruby," a song credited to Johnny Cash.    Later, Smith claimed that George Jones had actually written the tune and sold it to Cash for $40.  

     Smith recorded the song in February 1956 and by May was #1 on the pop charts. His first record with Sun outsold first records by other Sun artists including Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley.  Throughout the following years he signed with a few different labels, suffered from drug and alcohol addiction mainly due to an automobile accident, an 18 month prison stint and declining popularity. Then in 1977 he was invited to perform at a rockabilly revival at the Rainbow Theater in London where his performance was met with standing ovations and propelled him into a complete turnaround as he found the strength to renew his career and eventually tour the US and Europe.  In 1980 while preparing for another European tour he sadly died from a heart attack. In all, Warren Smith made 4 albums and released 20 singles.