DOES YOUR CHEWING GUM LOSE IT’S FLAVOR (ON THE BEDPOST OVERNIGHT) – LONNIE DONEGANJun 25 '04 (Updated Jun 08 '07) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Lonnie Donegan was born “Anthony James Donegan” on 29 April 1931 in Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland Anthony's father was a classic violinist with the National Scottish Orchestra. In 1933 Anthony and his family moved from Scotland to East London. He first became interested in playing the guitar at the age of 9. He purchased his first guitar when he was 14 for the price that equaled to $70.00 US. During the early 1940's he loved to listen to swing, vocals, Indian and African music. His favorites were "Glenn Miller and His Orchestra", "Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra", "The Ink Spots" and "The Andrews Sisters". He also enjoyed Jazz music by "Louis Armstrong" and "Gene Krupa" as well as country-and-western and blues by "Frank Crumit" and "Josh White". In 1946 he began learning how to play such songs as “Frankie and Johnny”, “Putting On The Style” and “House Of The Rising Sun”. He also enjoyed imitating the style and sound of “Josh White”, “Blind Lemon”, “Jefferson”, “Bessie Smith” and “Leadbelly”. He began playing Jazz music in small clubs that began springing up all around London. He was approached one night while riding a train by “Chris Barber” who told him he had heard he was a good banjo player and wanted him to join his band. Anthony had never held a banjo before but agreed to tryout and went out and purchased a banjo. He tried to fake his way through the audition but his bluff failed however Chris liked him and asked him to join the group anyway. Anthony decided to learn how to play the banjo on his own by listening to the radio and to old records. He learned how to play his new instrument very quickly but in 1949 he was drafted into the British Army. He was stationed in Vienna for a year tour which not only put him into contact with American soldiers but also the Armed Forces Radio Network. He gained access to many American records thanks to the soldiers he had made quick friends with and also listened to hours of music on the radio. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1951 and he found a new source of blues and folk music in London at the library in the American embassy. In 1952 he formed his own group called “The Tony Donegan Jazz Band”. They became so successful locally that the National Jazz Federation asked them to play a show at the Festival Hall with American ragtime pianist “Ralph Sutton” and blues and jazz legend “Lonnie Johnson”. The host of the show accidentally switched the first names of Anthony and Lonnie saying “The Lonnie Donegan Jazz Band” and “Anthony Johnson”. This was when Anthony decided he liked the name of Lonnie and decided to use it from that point on. Lonnie and his band join up with Chris and his band and legendary jazzman “Ken Colyer” to form a super group called “The Ken Colyer Jazzmen”. This new super group specialized in Dixieland Jazz and became very popular all throughout London. Between sets Lonnie along with two other group members would remain on stage and play American blues, country and folk music. Lonnie would play his own version of this music spicing it up with his own rhythm and accent on the acoustic guitar or banjo backed up by drums and bass guitar. This new and very different style of music was proclaimed “skiffle” by Ken’s brother Bill who had remembered hearing a band called “The Dan Burley Skiffle Group” based in Chicago in the 1930’s. In 1954 Ken quit and the group was renamed “The Chris Barber Jazz Band”. This new group became so popular that in 1955 they were approached by “Decca” records to record an album titled “New Orleans Joys”. The album not only included songs by the entire group but also included skiffle music performed by Lonnie on acoustic guitar, Chris on bass guitar and “Beryl Bryden” playing rhythm on a washboard. One of the songs on the album released as a single was “Rock Island Line” that originated in the 1930’s as an Arkansas prison song and was also associated with the British folk group “Leadbelly”. The album sold over 60,000 copies in its first month of release in the UK alone. “Rock Island Line” was covered by “Johnny Cash” in 1970 but his version only stayed on the chart one week at #93. On 4 February the single debuts in the UK credited to “The Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group” where it goes to #8 after a 25-week stay on the chart. On 17 March the song debuts in the US on “London” records on the pop chart and would go to #8 as well during a 17-week stay on the chart. The total sales between the UK and the US take the single over the million mark and it becomes a gold seller. Lonnie is offered a contract with “Pye-Nixa” records as a soloist in the UK. In May Lonnie, Chris and “Denny Wright” on electric guitar begin a one-month tour of the US billed as “The Irish Hillbilly”. On 19 May Lonnie makes his US TV debut on “The Perry Como Show” on NBC TV. On 9 June Lonnie’s first solo single “Lost John” is released on “Pye-Nixa” in the UK where it peaks at #2 and on “Mercury” records in the US where it peaks at #58. The flip side of this record titled “Stewball” would chart separately in the UK and peak at #29. On 7 July his first ever EP release and the first ever EP to ever make the charts titled “Skiffle Season” debuts in the UK and peaks at #20. On 29 September he releases a double sided hit “Bring A Little Water” backed by “Dead Or Alive” that peaks at #7 in the UK. In October he releases “Diggin’ My Potatoes” previously recorded during a concert at London’s Royal Festival Hall and the BBC because of its suggestive lyrics bans it. “Decca” decides to drop him and he signs with “EMI’s” “Columbia” label. On 5 January 1957 the album “Lonnie Donegan Showcase” debuts on the UK singles charts later peaking at #27 as there was not yet an album chart in the UK. On 16 February “Don’t You Rock Me Daddy-O” makes the UK singles chart peaking at #4. A cover version of this hit single done by the “Vipers Skiffle Group” would follow and peak at #10. On 27 March Lonnie performs for the first time at Madison Square Garden in New York City. On 13 April “Cumberland Gap” is released in the UK and is his first #1 hit where it stays for 5 weeks. The “Vipers Skiffle Group” also covers this song and their version goes to #10 on the UK singles chart. It was around this time that Lonnie added “Dick Bishop” who had played on some of his earlier records to the group. On 28 June he has his 2nd #1 hit in the UK with “Puttin’ On The Style” backed by “Gamblin’ Man”. Also this month he releases a live album titled “Putting On The Style” that includes novelty/comedy songs. On 9 November “My Dixie Darling” debuts on the UK chart later peaking at #10. He also begins filming for the Movie version of the UK TV pop music show called “The Six-Five Special”. On 28 December his next single release is “Jack O’ Diamonds” that would peak at #14 in the UK. On 31 May 1958 “Grand Coolie Dam” is released and peaks at #6 on the UK singles chart. The song was written by legendary folk singer “Woody Guthrie”. “Jimmy Currie” was next to join the group as lead guitarist after leaving the group “Tony Crombie’s Rockets”. It was around this time that new signing artists “Tommy Steele” and “Cliff Richard” started their careers also playing skiffle music. On 19 July his next double sided hit single is “Sally Don’t You Grieve” backed by “Betty Betty Betty” that peaks at #11 in the UK. On 27 September “Lonesome Traveller” from his newest album titled “Tops With Lonnie” makes the UK singles chart and peaks at #28. His next single on 29 November “Lonnie’s Skiffle Party” debuts heading to #23 in the UK. On 6 December he releases his version of a #1 hit by “The Kingston Trio” earlier in the year titled “Tom Dooley” and it peaks at #3 in the UK. It would remain at #3 for 6 consecutive weeks and the version by “The Kingston Trio” would peak at #4 in the UK. On 28 February 1959 he releases “Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It’s Flavor (On The Bed Post Overnight)” that peaks at #3 in the UK and would peak at #5 in the US 2 years later. This song was a #1 hit in 1924 by “Ernest Hare” and “Billy Jones” with the title of “Does The Spearmint Lose It’s Flavor (On The Bedpost Overnight)”. This would be the last record for Lonnie to make the charts in the US. “Fort Worth Jail” from his newest album “Lonnie Rides Again” is released and peaks at #14 in the UK. He next releases his version of a “Johnny Horton” #1 hit in the US earlier in the year “Battle Of New Orleans” that peaks at #2 in the UK for him where it stays for 4 weeks. He had 2 more big hits in the UK this year with “Sal’s Got A Sugar Lip” that went to #13 followed by “San Miguel” that peaked at #19. On 26 March 1960 “My Old Man’s A Dream” became the first single ever by a UK artist to debut on the charts at #1 and it stayed there for 4 weeks. In June he releases “I Wanna Go Home” which is an updated version of a traditional song from 1927 called “Wreck Of The John B” that was renamed “Sloop John B” and released by “The Beach Boys” in 1966 where it peaked at #3. “I Wanna Go Home” would peak at #5 in the UK on the singles chart. He next appears with “Cliff Richard” and “Adam Faith” in the Royal Variety Show” in London. His last 3 hits in 1960 were “Lorelei” that peaked at #12 followed by “Lively” that peaked at #14 and then his first ever holiday release “Virgin Mary” that peaked at #27 in the UK in December. He next releases “Michael Row The Boat” which was a #1 US and UK hit by “The Highwaymen” titled just plain “Michael” in July 1961 and his version peaks at #6 in the UK. Finally after 2 years, the combined sales in the US and UK of “Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It’s Flavor (On The Bedpost Overnight)” goes over 1 million and becomes his second and final gold selling record. In February 1962 “Comancheros” inspired by the “John Wayne” Movie of the same name is released and peaks at #14 on the UK singles chart. In May “The Party’s Over” is released on single and peaks at #9 in the UK. This is followed by his version of “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” but it is his 2nd UK single to not make the chart. The song would be redone by “Tom Jones” in 1967 and go to #49 on the US pop singles chart and then a newer updated version by Tom in 1969 would peak at #6. In September “Pick A Bale Of Cotton” becomes Lonnie’s final charting single when it later peaks at #11. Also this month he has his first ever album make the newly formed UK album chart titled “A Golden Age Of Donegan” that would peak at #3 during a 23-week stay. In December he releases “The Market Song” that is a duet with “Max Miller” but it fails to make the charts. In February 1963 his second album to make the UK album chart is “A Golden Age Of Donegan Vol. 2” that peaks at #15 there. On 5 April he has his own local show debut on ITV in the UK. In July 1964 he tours Australia for the first time. In December 1965 he records the official 1966 Soccer World Cup song titled “World Cup Willie” but it also fails to make the singles chart even after England had won the tournament this year. In 1966 his own publishing company Tyler Music after his wife’s maiden name signs “Justin Hayward” that would later on join “The Moody Blues”. On 1 April Lonnie flies to Cyprus to begin a three-week tour entertaining the troops throughout the Far East. His final single for “Pye-Nixa” records is “Auntie Maggie’s Remedy” in November and it to fails to make any of the singles charts. Over the next 10 years he would release a total of 8 singles and 1 album titled "Lonniepops” on his own “Tyler” records, all of which failed to make any of the charts. In March 1976 he has his first of many Heart Attacks and is warned to stop working and decides to move to California into semi-retirement to recuperate. On 25 February 1978 he releases “Putting On The Style” on “Chrysalis” records that peaks at #51 on the UK album chart and his first charting record in 15 years. Other artists featured on this album include “Ringo Starr”, “Elton John”, “Brian May” of “Queen” and others, all of which acknowledge Lonnie as an influence in prompting them to begin a music career. In May 1979 he releases his second album on “Chrysalis” records titled “Sundown” but it fails to make the charts. In November 1981 “Jubilee Concert” a live album of oldies on “Dakota” records is released to commemorate his 25th anniversary in music but it too fails to make the charts. He next records a skiffle EP with a very short-lived Scottish neo-rockabilly trio called “The Shakin’ Pyramids”. The group consisted of “James G. Creighton” and “Railroad Ken” on guitar along with “Dave Duncan” on harmonica but the record failed to chart. In 1985 Lonnie undergoes surgery after re-occurring heart attacks from which he recovers from sufficiently enough to resume his career. In 1986 he forms “Donegan’s Dancing Sunshine Band” with the assistance of “Monty Sunshine” on clarinet. In 1987 Lonnie appears in “Rockliffe’s Babies” a police drama on BBC TV. In 1989 he performs at the “Country Music Magazine Festival” in Lincolnshire, UK. Throughout the 1990’s he would continue to tour the US and the UK mostly appearing on the nostalgia circuit. On 23 May 1995 he is honored at the 40th annual Ivor Novello Awards for his outstanding contribution to British Music at London’s Grosvenor House in the UK. On 5 April 1999 he releases his first new studio album in 20 years on “RCA” records titled “Muleskinner Blues”. It also includes contributions by “Van Morrison”, “Chris Barber”, “Albert Lee”, “Sam Brown”, “Jerry Allison” and “Jaqui McShee”. The album/CD has 14 songs on it including updated versions of “Rock Island Line” and “I’m Alabammy Bound” both with “Van Morrison”. In 2002 Lonnie began what was to be a very long tour of the UK. In May he once again undergoes heart surgery in London and recovers to resume his tour. His final performance was in Nottingham which was the very first city he ever performed in back when he was starting his touring in 1957. On Sunday, 3 November while he and his wife and son were staying with some friends in Petersborough, Cambridgeshire, he died of an apparent heart attack in his sleep at approximately 0230 GMT. He was scheduled to play the next day in Stoke, Staffordshire in the UK. Having married 3 times he left with having seven children. “Brian May” of “Queen” stated “He really was at the cornerstone of English blues and rock”. “Cliff Richard” described him as a “Terrific Force”, “I think what was so good about skiffle was it was homemade music so for those of us who had ambition bubbling, it was a way to start”. “Rolf Harris” said, “Lonnie was a stunning entertainer and musician”. “Dire Straits” guitarist “Mark Knopfler” called him “One of his greatest musical influences”. The only CD I own by Lonnie is ”LONNIE DONEGAN KING OF SKIFFLE” that was released on 18 February 1998 on “Castle Music” records in the UK and is an Import. The songs on this CD are listed below in the order, as they appear followed by my rating of each song. 1. Rock Island Line – 5 2. Jack O’Diamonds – 4 3. Tom Dooley – 4 4. Puttin’ On The Style – 4 5. I’m Alabammy Bound – 4 6. Wabash Cannonball – 5 7. Wreck Of The Old 㥩 – 4 8. Battle Of New Orleans – 5 9. Bring A Little Water, Sylvie – 3 10. Nobody Loves Like An Irishman – 3 11. Michael, Row The Boat Ashore – 5 12. Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It’s Flavor (On The Bedpost Over Night) – 5 13. My Old Man’s A Dustman – 3 14. Cumberland Gap – 4 15. Don’t You Rock Me Daddy-O – 4 16. Grand Coulee Dam – 2 17. Have A Drink On Me – 2 18. Gamblin’ Man – 5 19. Nobody’s Child – 4 TOTAL POINTS: 75 POINTS DIVIDED BY 19 SONGS = 3.94 or 3 3/4 STARS Rating Key: 5 –Great 4 – Very Good 3 – Good 2 – Fair 1 – Poor 0 – This song does not belong here! Billboard US Top 100 Pop Singles for "LONNIE DONEGAN" 1. Rock Island Line – Debut on 03/17/56, Peaked at #8 (GOLD) 2. Lost John – Debut on 06/09/56, Peaked at #58 3. Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It’s Flavor (On The Bedpost Over Night) – Debut on 08/07/61, Peaked at #5 (GOLD) SOME SONG LYRICS DOES YOUR CHEWING GUM LOSE IT’S FLAVOR (ON THE BEDPOST OVER NIGHT) Oh me oh my oh you Whatever shall I do? Hallelujah, the question is peculiar I'd give a lot of dough If only I could know The answer to my question Is it yes or is it no? Does your chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight? If your mother says don't chew it, do you swallow it in spite? Can you catch it on your tonsils, can you heave it left & right? Does your chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight? Here comes a blushing bride The groom is by her side Up to the altar, just as steady as Gibraltar The groom has got the ring And it's such a pretty thing But as he slips it on her finger The choir begins to sing: Does your chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight? If your mother says don't chew it, do you swallow it in spite? Can you catch it on your tonsils, can you heave it left & right? Does your chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight? Now the nation rise as one To send their wanted son Up to the White House, yes, the nation's only White House To voice their discontent Unto the Pres-I-dent They pawn the burning question, What has swept this continent? (Lonnie speaks: If tin whistles are made of tin, what do they make phone cords out of? Another man shouts: Boom boom!) Does your chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight? If your mother says don't chew it, do you swallow it in spite? Can you catch it on your tonsils, can you heave it left & right? Does your chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight? GAMBLIN’ MAN I've gambled down in Wasington And I've gambled up in Maine I'm going down into Georgia To knock down my last game I'm a gamblin' man, man, man I'm a gamblin' man Well I'd not been in Washington Many more weeks than three When I fell in love with a pretty little girl And she fell in love with me I'm a gamblin' man I'm a gamblin' man I'm a gamblin' man, man, man I'm a gamblin' man, man, man A gamblin' man, man, man I'm a gamblin' man I'm a gamblin' man, man, man A gamblin' man, man, man I'm a gamblin' man, man, man I'm a gamblin' man She took me in her parlour Cooled me with her fan She said oh mother mother I'm in love with a gamblin' man He's a gamblin' man, man, man He's a gamblin' man She said oh daughter, daughter How could you treat me so Leave your poor old mother With that gambler go He's a gamblin' man, man, man He's a gamblin' man He's a gamblin' man, man, man He's a gamblin' man, man, man A gamblin' man, man, man He's a gamblin' man He's a gamblin' man, man, man A gamblin' man, man, man A gamblin' man, man, man Hey a gamblin' man I would not marry a farmer He's always in the rain I'd rather marry a gamblin' man With a gold watch and chain He's a gamblin' man He's a gamblin' man And I would not marry a railroad man Here's the reason why I've never known a railroad man Wouldn't tell his wife a lie He's a gamblin' man He's a gamblin' man ROCK ISLAND LINE Now this here is the story about the Rock Island Line Well, the Rock Island Line she runs down into New Orleans There's a big toll-gate down there And you know when you got certain things on board When you go through the toll-gate Well, you don't have to pay the man no toll Well, a traindriver, he pulled up to the toll-gate And the man hollered nicely what all he had on board And he said: I got live stock, I got live stock I got cows, I got pigs, I got sheep I got mules, I got all live stock Well, they said, you're all right boy You don't have to pay no toll You just go right on through So, he went on through the toll-gate And as he went through... He started pickin' up a little bit of speed Pickin' up a little bit of steam He got on through and he turned to look back at the man And he said: Well, I fooled you, I fooled you I got pig iron, I got pig iron I got all pig iron Down the Rock Island Line, she's a might good road Rock Island Line it's the road to ride Rock Island Line is a mighty good road Well if you ride it you gotta ride it like you find it Get your ticket at the station for the Rock Island Line Oh, cloudy in the west and it looks like rain Around the curve comes a passenger train Northbound train on a southbound track He's already leaving, but he won't be back Well the Rock Island Line, she's a might good road Rock Island Line it's the road to ride Rock Island Line is a mighty good road Well if you ride it you gotta ride it like you find it Get your ticket at the station for the Rock Island Line Oh, I may be right and I may be wrong But you're gonna miss me when I'm gone Well the engineer said before he died There are two more drinks that he'd like to try The doctor said, what could they be A hot cup of coffee and a cold glass of tea JAGUARDOG's FINAL THOUGHTS "Anthony James 'Lonnie' Donegan" and his style of music over the years influenced many artists in the music industry. Some of these were "Ringo Starr", "Paul McCartney", "Mark Knopfler", "Brian May", "Cliff Richard", "Rolf Harris", "Elton John", "The Rolling Stones", "Tommy Steele", "Gerry and The Pacemakers" and "The Searchers" just to name a few. Even though he had only 3 hits on the US charts his records on the UK and other foreign charts were numerous. Even though he is known by few music lovers in the US his importance on the British Rock 'n Roll scene was great. He shares a distinction with The King, "Elvis Presley", "Bill Haley and The Comets", "The Beatles", "The Rolling Stones" and even "The Sex Pistols" of inventing a sound and style of music that completely changed the face of the pop culture landscape. His "Skiffle" sound of music was vital cogs in the early musical careers of "The Beatles", "The Rolling Stones" and many other artists. Well that's it for today's lesson in my continuing "History of Rock 'n Roll". I hope you found something interesting and thanks for reading and rating. Up next I will be covering Professional Boxer turned solo vocal artist "Lee Dorsey". I hope everyone has a Safe and Wonderful Weekend and God Bless, Ron.  |
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