Carl Perkins Biography
Carl Perkins (born 9 April 1932, died 19 January 1998) was an accomplished American Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist, who was born and brought-up in Jackson, Tennessee. He was widely known for recording most notably at the Sun Studio, in Memphis, from 1954, and his songs which include “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Matchbox” and “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby”.
As per the American Singer and Songwriter Charlie Daniels, “Carl Perkins’ songs personified the rockabilly era, and Carl Perkins’ sound personifies the rockabilly sound more so than anybody involved in it, because he never changed.” He earned a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.
He was profiled as ‘the King of Rockabilly’, who was inducted into several events including; the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
10 Quick Facts About Carl Perkins
- Name: Carl Perkins
- Age: 65 years at the time of death
- Birthday: 19 January
- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
- Height: Average
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist
- Marital Status: Married
- Salary: Under Review
- Net worth: $7 million
Carl Perkins Age
Perkins was at the age of 65 when he died. He born on 9 April 1932, in Tiptonville, Tennessee, United States, and died on 19 January 1998, from a chronic illness in Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. He celebrated his birthday on 9th April every year.
Carl Perkins Wife
Carl was married to the late Valda Crider and tied the knot in January 1953, whom he had known for a number of years. When his job at the bakery was reduced to part-time, Valda, who had her own job, encouraged Perkins to begin working the taverns full-time. He began playing six nights a week.
Valda passed away on 15 Nov 2005 (aged 74) at death place, Tennessee. Born in Bemis, Tennessee, Mrs. Perkins and her husband Carl Perkins is survived by four children,Carl Stanley (Connie) Perkins, Deborah Joyce (Bart) Swift, StevenAllen (Donna) Perkins,and Gregory Jay (Dawn) Perkins; nine grandchildren, Shannon Langley, Carla (Scott) Simmons, LesleighWoodward, Suzanne Swift, Chase Perkins, Matthew Watkins, Jonathan Watkins, Cody Watkins, and Jay Perkins; and four great-grandchildren, Hayden Hurbis, Peyton Hurbis, Carlee Langley, and Kate Langley.
Carl Perkins Net Worth
Perkins was estimated to have a net worth of $7 million dollars. This included his assets, money and income. His primary source of income was his career as a Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist. Through his various sources of income, he was able to accumulate a good fortune but prefered to lead a modest lifestyle.
Carl Perkins Guitar
On Saturday nights Perkins would listen to the Grand Ole Opry on his father’s radio. Roy Acuff’s broadcasts inspired him to ask his parents for a guitar. Since they could not afford one, his father made one from a cigar box and a broomstick.
Finally, a neighbor in hard times offered to sell his dented and scratched Gene Autry model guitar with worn-out strings. Buck Perkins bought it for his son for a couple of dollars. Perkins taught himself parts of Acuff’s “Great Speckled Bird” and “The Wabash Cannonball”, having heard them played on the Opry. He also cited Bill Monroe’s fast playing and vocals as an early influence.
Perkins learned more about the guitar from John Westbrook, an African-American field worker in his sixties. “Uncle John”, as Perkins called him, played blues and gospel music on an old acoustic guitar.
Carl Perkins Songs
»Blues suede shoes
»Honey don’t
»Matchbox
»Bopping the blues
»Your true love
»Movie magg
»Dixie fried
»All mama children
»Glad all over
»Put your cat clothes on
»Glad all over
»Everybodys trying to be my baby
»Let the jukebox keep playing
»Sure to fall in love with you
»Gone gone gone
»That’s right
Carl Perkins Albums
»Ol’ Blue Suede’s Back (1978)
»Country Soul (1979)
»Disciple in Blue Suede Shoes (1984)
»Born to Rock (1989)10.Friends, Family & Legends (1992)
»Boppin’ the Blues (1970, with NRBQ)
»The Survivors (1982, with Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash)
»Class of ’55 (1986, with Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash)
»The Million Dollar Quartet (1990, with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash)
»706 Re-Union (1990, with Scotty Moore)
»Carl Perkins & Sons (1993, with his sons Greg and Stan)
»Go Cat Go! (1996, with various guest stars)
»The Carl Perkins Show (1976)
»Live at Austin City Limits (1981)
»The Silver Eagle Cross Country: Carl Perkins Live (1997)
»Live at Gilley’s (1999)
»Live (2000)
»Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session (2006)
»Rock ‘N Gospel (1979)
»Cane Creek Glory Church (1979)
»Gospel (1984)
Carl Perkins Blue Suede Shoes
(Blue Suede Shoes) A Rockabilly Session was a televised concert that was taped live at Limehouse Studios in London, England on 21 October 1985. The show featured rock n’ roll pioneer Carl Perkins along with friends as guest stars, including Eric Clapton, former Beatles George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, as well as Dave Edmunds who acted as musical director for the show.
Most of the repertoire performed in the concert consisted of Perkins’ classic rockabilly songs from the 1950s. It was directed by Tom Gutteridge. The concert special was originally broadcast in 1985 on Channel 4 in the UK and on Cinemax in 1986 with introductory comments by Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and Jerry Lee Lewis. The show was shown on Channel 4 on January 1, 1986. Perkins performed 16 songs, with two encores, in an extraordinary performance.
Perkins and his friends ended the session by singing his most famous song, 30 years after its writing, which brought Perkins to tears. The concert is a memorable highlight of Carl Perkins’ later career and has been highly praised by fans for the spirited performances delivered by Perkins and his famous guests. It was the first public performance by George Harrison in more than ten years An edited version of the program is available for viewing on YouTube.
Carl Perkins Death & Cause
He died on January 19, 1998, after his last major concert performance at Music for Montserrat all-star charity concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall on September 15, 1997. At the age of 65, at Jackson-Madison County Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee, from throat cancer.
Perkins had suffered several minor strokes the previous month. Among the mourners at his funeral at Lambuth University were George Harrison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Wynonna Judd, Garth Brooks, Nashville agent Jim Dallas Crouch, Johnny Cash, and June Carter Cash. Perkins was interred at Ridgecrest Cemetery in Jackson.
Frequently Asked Questions about Carl Perkins
Who is Carl Perkins?
Carl Perkins (born 9 April 1932, died 19 January 1998) was an accomplished American Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist. He was widely known for recording most notably at the Sun Studio, in Memphis, from 1954, and his songs which include “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Matchbox” and “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby”.
How old was Carl Perkins before he died?
Perkins was at the age of 65 when he died. He born on 9 April 1932, in Tiptonville, Tennessee, United States, and died on 19 January 1998, from a chronic illness in Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
What was the cause of his death?
He suffered a chronic illness.
Was Carl Perkins married?
Yes, he was Valda Crider and tied the knot in January 1953, whom he had known for a number of years. When his job at the bakery was reduced to part-time, Valda, who had her own job, encouraged Perkins to begin working the taverns full-time. Valda passed away on 15 Nov 2005 (aged 74) at death place, Tennessee.
How much was Carl Perkins worth?
Perkins was estimated to have a net worth of $7 million dollars. This included his assets, money and income. His primary source of income was his career as a Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist.
Read also Dr. Grant Colfax
Carl Perkins Contacts
- Youtube
- Tiktok
- Website
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