Though now probably best known for his countrypolitan hits "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Most Beautiful Girl" in the early 70's (or setting fire to John Denver's Entertainer of the Year award announcement at the 1975 CMA presentation), Charlie Rich's career started out in rockabilly many years before.
Born on this day, December 14th in 1932, piano playing Charlie became a regular session man at Sun Records in 1958 playing on records Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Billy Lee Riley. The first hit record he had with his own name was in 1960 when he reached the top 30 with "Lonely Weekends" which was released on the Sun records subsidiary label Phillips International.
Another song he recorded around that time was "Midnight Blues" which the Detroit Cobras fans will recognize as it's a staple in their catalog and live set.
What are you listening to tonight?
