ROAD HOG

Created on 14/02/2008
Latest update on 02/09/2009

Artist: John D. Loudermilk
Author: John Loudermilk/Gwen Loudermilk
Label: RCA
Year: 1962

With Angela Jones on the B-side (see there). Inspired by comic strip character Speedy Gonzales and in his own sober version a small pop hit. Gwen was John's first wife, earning credits for supporting his idea to write a song about the Nashville Trafic Police. Musically the song was clearly inspired by banjo traditional Ground Hog (see there), cut -amongst others- by Norwegian band The Windjammers for RCA, produced by Chet Atkins and John D. Loudermilk; no kidding.

Covers:

1964:

Roberto Carlos [Portuguese and Spanish version (as O Calhambeque and Mi Cacharrito); big hit in South America]

1964:

Carlos Alberto [idem; hit in Brasil]

1965:

Joe Dassin [as Bip Bip right in the middle of Paris' city traffic]

1966:

Supersonics [as O Calhambeque]

1995:

Gaetano Veloso [idem]

2006:

Breastfeeders [on Dassin tribute]

The Brazilian hit spilled into local comic book territory: Eugenio Colonnese's O Calhambero Vermilho (The Red Oldtimer).

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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