Skiffle: The Definitive Inside Story - Hardcover

Chas McDevitt

9780957446205: Skiffle: The Definitive Inside Story

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0957446209 ISBN 13: 9780957446205

Publisher: Rollercoaster Books, 2013

Skiffle - The Definitive Inside Story ... Now Updated and Available Again! Rollercoaster Books are pleased to announce the publication of the revised and updated edition of Chas McDevitt's definitive story of Skiffle. The book covers the story of Skiffle, from its beginnings in the USA to the 1950s Skiffle explosion in the UK, which lead to the birth of so many British Rock bands and singers. Detailed biographies and discographies of all the major and minor groups are included, plus many photographs and illustrations, several seen for the first time. And some great stories from Chas himself, one of the Skiffle Kings! The accompanying CD tells the story of Skiffle in music, with historic, rare and previously unissued tracks An essential purchase for all those interested in Skiffle and the birth of British Rock. (Hardback only)

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About the Author:

Chas McDevitt (born Charles James McDevitt, 4 December 1934) is a British musician, one of the leading lights of the skiffle genre which was highly influential and popular in the United Kingdom in the mid-to-late 1950s.[citation needed] McDevitt was born in Eaglesham, Glasgow, Scotland. His family moved to Camberley, Surrey, when he was a child. As a teenager he taught himself the banjo, and began corresponding with blues artists including Josh White. He also joined a local Dixieland jazz group. By 1955 he had moved to London, and began playing with the Crane River Jazz Band. At the same time, he formed a small skiffle group, which busked and performed in coffee bars and jazz clubs in Soho. In late 1956, whilst recording the song "Freight Train" - written by folk blues singer Elizabeth Cotten - for Oriole Records, studio owner Bill Varley suggested they should add a female singer. As a result, folk singer Nancy Whiskey was invited to join the Chas McDevitt Skiffle Group, and they re-recorded the song with her vocals. The record became a hit in the UK in 1957 at the height of the skiffle boom, reaching Number 5 in the UK Singles Chart.[1] In the United States, the song was covered by Rusty Draper, who had the bigger hit. Nevertheless, McDevitt's group appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, their record became a million seller, and their success led them to tour with acts such as Slim Whitman and Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers. They also replaced Jerry Lee Lewis on his ill-fated 1958 tour of the UK. McDevitt's was the only British skiffle group, other than Lonnie Donegan's, to achieve international success.[citation needed] After Whiskey left in 1957, McDevitt had less commercial success, and his group disbanded around 1959. He then formed a duo with his wife Shirley Douglas, until their professional and personal relationship ended in the 1970s. Since then, McDevitt has continued to perform as the leader of a re-formed group, and also remains active in charitable work. Nancy Whiskey died in 2003 and Shirley Douglas in 2012.

Review:

Skiffle, the Prodigy, McCartney, Oasis.... The year s best rock books...McDevitt is ideally placed to spill all the relevant beans about the craze that caused almost as much stir here as rock n roll. --THE SUNDAY TIMES (Robert Sandall)

Chas McDevitt s excellent history of Skiffle.....All you ever wanted to know about the music that inspired rock n roll." VERDICT **** --THE DAILY MAIL (Val Hennessey)

These exciting times are described in detail by McDevitt in an absorbing book liberally illustrated with pictures & billboards of the era. --Yorkshire Evening Post

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