The Rebels (rockabilly band)

The Rebels were a rockabilly band from Dallas, Texas that recorded School of Rock 'n Roll and Straight Skirt with Gene Summers. The group consisted of James McClung (guitar), Gary Moon (drums) and Benny Williams (slap bass). They were soon joined by pianist Bill Brown who played on some of their early personal appearances. They were one of the first rock 'n roll bands to record using the name Rebels (February 1, 1958) preceding Duane Eddy's Rebels by at least six months and the "Wild Weekend" Rebels by more than two years.

The Rebels began their musical career in 1957 while in high school at Duncanville, Texas joining forces with another classmate and singer Gene Summers. They appeared together on high school assembly programs and soon were playing gigs at the Carswell Air Force Base in Grand Prairie, Texas. At one of these shows they met a country music comedian nicknamed "Cornbread" who was appearing on a TV show hosted by Neal Jones on KRLD-TV in Dallas. Cornbread was impressed with Summers and The Rebels and invited them to appear on the TV program. This led them to a regular, weekly spot on another television program, also on KRLD, called "Joe Bill's Country Picnic" in the fall of 1957. It was while appearing on this show that they were discovered by songwriter Jed Tarver. He wanted them to record some of his songs "Straight Skirt" "Nervous", "I'll Never Be Lonely", "Gotta Lotta That" and "Twixteen". With the assistance of their manager/agent, Thomas Wolverton, Tarver was able to get them an audition with Jan Records a newly formed Dallas label.

Their first release on Jan was on February 1, 1958 and featured Tarver's "Straight Skirt" composition flipped with an original James McClung song "School of Rock 'n Roll". "Straight Skirt" became a regional chart hit and The Rebels found themselves appearing at record hops, concerts and radio and television shows throughout the country. After touring for several months, Williams and Moon decided to pursue other interests and left the band. McClung and Summers replaced them with other musicians and The Rebels continued to perform until 1961. After this, the group disbanded. Summers continued a solo career and was still recording and touring well into the 21st century in both the USA and abroad.

Reviews

• "Straight Skirt" Getting Buildup - Dallas Morning News, February 25, 1958.... "I'm back in town to get in a few plugs for our first big release, explained Dan Weisfeld. "It's a tune called Straight Skirt by Gene Summers and The Rebels. "Summers and his group," he continued "are students at Arlington State College. They are four of the best rock 'n roll musicians and singers I've ever heard, and the reaction to their first effort has been phenomenal. It is getting a good send off around the country." -Tony Zoppi, Dallas After Dark (Dallas Public Library)

Media

• Dallas TV Quartet Returns After Recording Session - Dallas Times Herald, January 1958
  A quartet of KRLD-TV performers, Gene Summers and The Rebels, of the Sunday County Picnic program, have returned from a California recording session, where they cut five discs for Jan Records. The first record released has a song written by one of the group, James McClung, who wrote "School of Rock 'n Roll." On the flip side is "Straight Skirt." Other members of the group, aside from Summers and McClung, are Gary Moon and Benny Williams. Williams attends Thomas Jefferson High and the other three are freshmen at Arlington State College. (Dallas Public Library)
• Rock 'n Roll Rebs Cut Five Discs - Arlington State College Newspaper, January 1958
  Three ASC freshmen recently returned from making rock-n-roll recordings in Hollywood. They are Gene Summers, 19, James McClung, 18 and Gary Moon, 18. They made five recordings for Jan Records, a Dallas firm that has a Hollywood office, two of which will be released this week. The record is entitled "School of Rock 'n Roll" and the flip side carries the ditty "Straight Skirt". Their other recordings have a later release date. Instrumental-wise, Gene plays the guitar and sings, James plays the lead guitar, and Gary performs on drums. Another member of the band, not at ASC, is Benny Williams of Thomas Jefferson High, Dallas, who plays the bass. Gene Summers and The Rebels is the name of this enterprising band. The boys hasten to explain that they had this name before coming to ASC and also they were known as the Dixie Rebels. Organized last summer, The Rebels are currently appearing on the Sunday TV show Country Picnic at 12:30 on Channel 4, Dallas. If their records sell in volume, the boys are hoping to make a series of personal appearances throughout the country. -Mary Winkworth
• Radio Events of the Day - The Dallas Morning News, March 27, 1958 - Section: Part 2, Page: 7
  "Pierce Allman, host of his own recorded show will feature Gene Summers and The Rebels on the Thursday broadcast beginning at 9:05 PM on WFAA-570." (Dallas Public Library)

References

• Bob Dylan Plays "School of Rock 'n Roll"
• "100 Greatest Rock 'n Roll Records"
• ARSA Radio Surveys Archive 11/9/63
• Jamie Records Discography Ref: Duane Eddy release dates
• Solly, Bob. (2005). "100 Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Records". Diamond Publishing Company LTD, UK. ISSN 1746-8051. UPC 9-771746805006.
• Rockabilly: A Forty-Year Journey by Billy Poore (published by Hal Leonard United States 1998)
• Texas Music by Rick Koster (published by St. Martin’s Press United States 2000)
• The Sound of The City: The Rise Of Rock And Roll by Charlie Gillett (published by Da Capo Press United States 1996)
• Race With The Devil by Susan Van Hecke (published by St. Martin’s Press United States 2000)
• Go Cat Go by Craig Morrison (published by University Of Illinois Press United States 1998)
• Sun Records: The Brief History of The Legendary Record Label by Colin Escott and Martin Hawkins (published by Quick Fox Books UK 1975/1980)
• Texas Rhythm Texas Rhyme by Larry Willoughby (published by Texas Monthly Press United States 1984)
• The Handbook Of Texas Online (c)Texas State Historical Association (published at The University Of Texas at Austin) 2007 United States
• Texas Music Industry Directory (published by The Texas Music Office) Office of the Governor, Austin, Texas United States 2007
• Article and sessionography in issue No. 15 of New Kommotion Magazine 1977 UK
• Feature article with photo spread in issue 53 of Bill Griggs' Rockin' 50s Magazine, 2002 United States
• Feature article with photo spread in issue 54 of Bill Griggs' Rockin' 50s Magazine, 2002 United States
• Full Cover photo and article in issue 28 of UK Rock Magazine, 2006 UK

Sources

• Dallas Morning News archive
• Dallas Times Herald
• Liner notes "The Ultimate School Of Rock & Roll" CD 1997 United States
• Liner notes "Rockaboogie Shake" CD 1999 UK
• Liner notes School Of Rock 'n Roll (album) 1994, Netherlands
• Article and sessionography in issue 15 (1977) of New Kommotion Magazine UK
• Article and sessionography in issue 23 (1980) of New Kommotion Magazine UK
• Feature article and sessionography in issue 74 (1999) of Rockin' Fifties Magazine Germany
• Feature article with photo spread in issue 53 (2000) of Bill Griggs' Rockin' 50s Magazine United States
• Feature Article with photo spread in issue 54 (2000) of Bill Griggs' Rockin' 50s Magazine United States

External links

• Rockabilly Hall of Fame Page retrieved on August 6, 2008.