PLEDGING MY LOVE

Created on 08/11/2005
Latest update on 22/11/2022

Artist: Johnny Ace
Author: Ferdinand Washington/Don Robey
Label: Duke
Year: 1954

First rhythm 'n blues hit outselling the white covers (n°1 R&B for 10 weeks and top 20 US). Also the first 45 RPM selling more than the 78 counterpart. Posthumous n°1 R&B in January '55, following a dramatical game of Russian roulette on christmas eve backstage the City Auditorium in Houston. Mobster label boss Don Robey quickly turned this tragedy into profit, staging Johnny's funeral at soon to become prestigious Clayborn AME Temple in Memphis with a blues who's who as pallbearers. Promotion assured.

Covers:

1955:

Tommy Mara

1955:

Teresa Brewer

1955:

Four Lads

1955:

Louis Armstrong

1957:

Pat Boone

1958:

Jesse Belvin

1958:

Roy Hamilton

1959:

Vince Taylor

1960:

Trekvogels [as Hij Stond Voor De Rechter]

1960:

Johnny Tillotson

1961:

Erma Franklin

1962:

Brook Benton

1964:

Brian Hyland

1964:

Johnny Copeland [in a Johnny Ace medley]

1966:

Percy Sledge

1969:

Aretha Franklin

1971:

Kitty Wells

1971:

John Lennon & Yoko Ono [model for Happy Xmas (War Is Over); (see also: Stewball)]

1973:

Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye

1973:

Jerry Lee Lewis

1974:

Tom Jones

1977:

Elvis Presley

1981:

Delbert McClinton

1984:

Emmylou Harris

1985:

Aaron Neville

1995:

Augie Meyers

2010:

Holmes Brothers

Reggae versions by Jackie Edwards and John Holt. See also: Stewball.

Contact


If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:

Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)

info@originals.be

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