PERKINS, CARL
(1932–1998)
PERKINS, CARL (b. C. Lee P., Tiptonville, Tenn., April 3, 1932–January 19, 1998) One of the greats of early rock and roll, Perkins had a career that crisscrossed genres from ROCKABILLY to country and back to jazzy rock. He is, of course, well remembered for his 1950s compositions, most notably Blue Suede Shoes, the first song to top the country, R&B, and pop charts, establishing rock and roll as a dominant pop style. Born to a poor farming family, Perkins was exposed to music from his youth…