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'Susie Q' Songwriter Dale Hawkins Dead at 73
- Posted on Feb 16th 2010 11:30AM by Emily Tan
Rockabilly singer and guitarist Dale Hawkins died in Little Rock, Ark. on Feb. 13 after a three-year battle with colon cancer. He was 73. Hawkins made his mark with the 1957 hit, 'Susie Q,' which featured guitarist and future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer James Burton, who also played in Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley's bands. Recording and performing well into his 70s, Hawkins has also played with Roy Buchanan and Scotty Moore.
Hooked on blues, R&B and gospel in his younger years, the Louisiana native worked at the prominent Stan Lewis record store in Shreveport, La. In 1956, Hawkins recorded a demo of 'Susie Q' at a local radio station, which inspired Lewis to pass Hawkins' music to Chess Records.
Aside from 'Susie Q,' which hit No. 27 on the charts, Hawkins also recorded other singles for Chess Records including 'La-Do-Dada,' 'My Babe' and 'Tornado,' which were loved by rockabilly fans. Unfortunately, they never had as much of impact as 'Susie Q,' which was covered by Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Rolling Stones.
In the '60s, Hawkins became a successful producer with hits like the Five Americans' 'Western Union,' the Uniques' 'Not Too Long Ago' and John Fred and the Playboy Band's 'Judy in Disguise (With Glasses).' Hawkins released 'L.A., Memphis & Tyler, Texas' in 1969, which was rereleased on CD by England's Rev-Ola.
After recovering from drug addiction, he ended up leaving the music industry to become a motivational speaker. However, Hawkins didn't say goodbye for long as he built a recording studio in Little Rock with the royalties earned from his hit song.
He finally returned to performing in the 1990s when he played the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. He also released 'Wildcat Trainer' in 1999 and appeared in the New Orleans' Ponderosa Stomp festival.
Dale Hawkins performs 'Susie Q'
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Missy
The original guys that recorded Suzie Q were
Dale Hawkins, James Burton. T.J. Mandina and Ronnie Lewis
Hugh
Susie Q was and is a great song, one of the very best. But, in my opinion as a collector of rockabilly music for many years, since I bought a Charlie Feathers record in 1957 at cavage's in Buffalo NY, Hawkins' best record ever is My Babe. Do not confuse this with the Muddy waters tune which is completely different. Check out My Babe!
February 16 2010 at 7:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Bill
We were the "Shifters" from Joliet, Illinois and in 1959 we went to a car show in Aurora put on by the Audettes Car Club at a shopping center parking lot on Lake St. The D/J played La-Do-Dada over and over and I loved that song. Went out and bought it the next day and still play it.
Thanks for all of the memories, Dale.
John
He was a great brother ty for your comments!
February 16 2010 at 7:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Kevin
Weird - today I happened to watch James Burton on a TV doc about Rick Nelson, and later heard,"Western Union," on my cable network's Music Choice "Oldies" channel - both of which were programmed before today! Anyway, I never realized how much CCR's version was so similar to the original. What a song!
February 16 2010 at 7:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Monica
Great Creedence Clearwater Revival song, along with all the other CCR songs. :)
February 16 2010 at 7:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Garry Miller
Dale produced our band and got us signed with Amy-Mala Bell records. We had a great time in the studio. He was awesome, creative, and full of energy. He was also great at mediating issues with the band in long hours of recording. what a great guy.
Garry Miller - Keyboards - Sweet Smoke
RICHARD WIGGINTON
You were a true pioneer, Dale; you will be missed and remembered.
February 16 2010 at 7:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Nancy Schaub
Fabulous song, one I danced to many times. RIP Mr. Hawkins. Susie Q was one of the all time great rock and roll songs. Creedence did it justice but Mr. Hawkins, you were first and best.
February 16 2010 at 7:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Terry Madeira
Those songs he produced are also great. They stuck in my head too. That drum part, in Susie-Q by Creedence, is killer! What a tribute that the Creedence version has the same feel as the original. Is the James Dean below the one and only Jimmy Dean from Plainview? Jimmy said, "my hometown was so small....both city limits signs were on the same post!
February 16 2010 at 7:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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