Roland Janes R.I.P.

[RayL]

Roland Janes - famed guitar picker at Sun Studios during the great days of the late 1950s. You must have heard the fiery guitar that opens 'Flying Saucers Rock'n'Roll' by Billy Lee Riley? That was Roland Janes.

He worked with Jerry Lee Lewis on Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On, Great Balls Of Fire and High School Confidential. In his autobiography, Bruce memorably tells how The Shadows played Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On in the early days and, having leaned over backwards during the Shake, Baby, Shake sequence until they had their backs on the floor, Bruce was unable to get up without an undignified scramble. Although they probably never knew the name of Roland Janes, Hank and Bruce listened avidly to all those early rock'n'roll records so you might say that Roland Janes was an influence on the early sound of The Shadows.

Another sad loss. He died in Memphis, aged 80.

Ray

[GoldenStreet]

Roland Janes - famed guitar picker at Sun Studios during the great days of the late 1950s. You must have heard the fiery guitar that opens 'Flying Saucers Rock'n'Roll' by Billy Lee Riley? That was Roland Janes.

Another sad loss. He died in Memphis, aged 80.

Ray

Agreed... thanks, Ray. Video of said item posted under the People category yesterday.

Bill

[StuartD]

That early Jerry Lee stuff is brilliant. Great guitar player. Sad loss.
Come so soon after Jack Clement too.

Stu