- Raunchy (song)
"Raunchy" is the name of an American
rock and roll instrumental hit from1957 . It was recorded byBill Justis and his band inMemphis, Tennessee , and co-written by Sid Manker and himself."Raunchy" may have been the first song to use the twangy solo lead
guitar format, which was developed by others and became a staple for the next few years. Justis played thesaxophone and Manker played the lead guitar, and it charted in the U.S. at #2 Pop and #1 R&B.The lead guitar work was rudimentary in comparison with later instrumentals. In later years Justis rerecorded an improved definitive rendition with a stronger guitar.
Competing with the Justis release in 1957 were other versions of "Raunchy," by
Billy Vaughn andErnie Freeman . Freeman's version was his biggest solo success, reaching #4 on the Pop chart and #1 on the R&B chart in 1957.Soon after the hit, guitarist
Duane Eddy , with producerLee Hazlewood , took it upon themselves to develop that style to an ultimate degree. Far from a light lead guitar sound, they greatly enhanced thereverberation in their recordings. Eddy started with the big hit "Rebel Rouser " in1958 , but later made a recording of "Raunchy" for theRCA Records album "Twangin' the Golden Hits" in1965 ."Raunchy" was recorded by many groups in the following years, either on singles or albums. They included
The Ventures ,Bill Black ,Tom and Jerry (guitarists) ,Al Caiola ,Billy Strange , Bill Smith Combo akaTommy & The Tom Toms (Chess #1780),In 1958
George Harrison performed the song toJohn Lennon (andPaul McCartney ) on the top deck of a bus, and was so note-perfect Lennon decided to let him into his band, the Quarrymen, which would later becomethe Beatles , despite earlier reservations about Harrison's younger age.Media
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