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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)
Artist: Bobby Charles
Author: Robert Guidry
Label: Chess
Year: 1955
Real name: Robert Guidry, first white artist with Chess. Introduced by their Louisiana A&R man Paul Gayten. Of course Chess reissued Bobby Charles' original (as See You Later Alligator) in the wake of Bill Haley's hit cover. They even convinced him to drape a spitcurl over his forehead, just like Haley, if only for publicity matters.
Covers:
Roy Hall [as See You Later Alligator, prior to Bill Haley]
Bill Haley & His Comets [idem in film Rock Around The Clock]
Mac-Kac et son Rock and Roll [as T'es pas tombé sur la tête]
Llopis [as Hasta La Vista Cocodrilo]
Wayne Gibson [with Jimmy Page on guitar]
Bob Dylan & The Band [as See You Later Allen Ginsberg; Basement tape]
Written in 20 minutes in a late nite café. Bobby and his band were sitting there after a gig. While leaving the place Bobby was waved out by his drummer with a 'See you later alligator'. Alert, a drunken patron replied: 'After a while, crocodile'. Enough to intrigue Bobby. This song was first offered to Fats Domino. There's a similarity with Guitar Slim's Later For You Baby ('54), and not just for the title.
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)