Charles Ryan, RIP

[GA Russell]

I was familiar only with Commander Cody's recording of Hot Rod Lincoln until a few months ago when I heard on Sirius for the first of a number of times what I assumed to be the original version. Can't say for sure that Sirius has been playing Ryan's recording, but probably so.

Here's his AP obituary:

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-...1,7248174.story

Charles Ryan, 92; co-wrote pop hit 'Hot Rod Lincoln'

template_bastemplate_bas From the Associated Press February 22, 2008

Charles Ryan, the musician and songwriter who co-wrote the hit song "Hot Rod Lincoln," died Saturday in Spokane, Wash., after a long battle with heart disease, his family said. He was 92.

Ryan and W.S. Stevenson wrote "Hot Rod Lincoln" and in 1955 Ryan first recorded the song with the rockabilly beat and the vivid lyrics describing a nighttime car chase:

"My fenders was clickin' the guardrail posts; the guy beside me was white as a ghost."

It began with the line "My pappy said, 'Son, you're gonna drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop drivin' that Hot Rod Lincoln.' "

The song was inspired by Ryan's commutes in his 1941 Lincoln from Spokane to play gigs at the Paradise Club across the state line in Lewiston, Idaho.

It has been recorded many times since.

Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen made it a hit in 1972, and it has been a mainstay of popular culture for decades.

Ryan was born in Graceville, Minn., on Dec. 19, 1915, grew up in Polson, Mont., and moved to Spokane in 1943. He served in the Army during World War II.

He worked as a musician and songwriter, touring with Jim Reeves, Johnny Horton and others.

Ryan's version of "Hot Rod Lincoln" hit the Billboard Top 100 charts in 1960 and stayed there for six months. Many versions exist, with the words often altered by each new group.

[Big Al]

Ryan's version was the only version I knew of for the longest time. Heck, he sounded like he was 92 back then!

[Adam]

Loved that song. Can still sing it. Never knew any other versions. I might still have a 45 of it.

[catesta]

I was familiar only with Commander Cody's recording of Hot Rod Lincoln until a few months ago when I heard on Sirius for the first of a number of times what I assumed to be the original version. Can't say for sure that Sirius has been playing Ryan's recording, but probably so.

Here's his AP obituary:

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-...1,7248174.story

Charles Ryan, 92; co-wrote pop hit 'Hot Rod Lincoln'

template_bastemplate_bas From the Associated Press February 22, 2008

Charles Ryan, the musician and songwriter who co-wrote the hit song "Hot Rod Lincoln," died Saturday in Spokane, Wash., after a long battle with heart disease, his family said. He was 92.

Ryan and W.S. Stevenson wrote "Hot Rod Lincoln" and in 1955 Ryan first recorded the song with the rockabilly beat and the vivid lyrics describing a nighttime car chase:

"My fenders was clickin' the guardrail posts; the guy beside me was white as a ghost."

It began with the line "My pappy said, 'Son, you're gonna drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop drivin' that Hot Rod Lincoln.' "

The song was inspired by Ryan's commutes in his 1941 Lincoln from Spokane to play gigs at the Paradise Club across the state line in Lewiston, Idaho.

It has been recorded many times since.

Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen made it a hit in 1972, and it has been a mainstay of popular culture for decades.

Ryan was born in Graceville, Minn., on Dec. 19, 1915, grew up in Polson, Mont., and moved to Spokane in 1943. He served in the Army during World War II.

He worked as a musician and songwriter, touring with Jim Reeves, Johnny Horton and others.

Ryan's version of "Hot Rod Lincoln" hit the Billboard Top 100 charts in 1960 and stayed there for six months. Many versions exist, with the words often altered by each new group.

They play both versions on a fairly regular basis. The original of course can be heard on Sirius Gold.

[Free For All]

I haven't thought about that tune for ages!