The Story of Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes" made famous by Elvis Presley, inspired by Johnny Cash

Elvis Presley "Blue Suede Shoes" (Carl Perkins)
Elvis Presley has a few songs that could be considered his signature song, one of them is “Blue Suede Shoes”.
Released in 1956 it sold half a million copies in the USA alone and is the opening track to Elvis Presley’s debut album but it was actually written and released 8 months earlier by Carl Perkins, and produced by Sam Phillips for Sun records who had released Presley’s first records.
Carl Perkins' version wasn’t obscure either, at the time it was the first record by a country artist to reach number 3 on the R&B charts and at one point was shipping around 20,000 copies a day, within 4 months of its release it had sold 1 million copies.
So how did "Blue Suede Shoes" become a signature song of Elvis Presley on his way to becoming the "King of Rock n Roll" while the writer slipped into near obscurity, known only to Rockabilly enthusiasts, and a certain fab 4?
From Memphis Tennessee to Amory Mississippi and onto London and the world...this is the story of "Blue Suede Shoes" a rock n roll classic, and its writer, rockabilly legend Carl Perkins.

[@Traxploitation]

Whose version do you think is best? Carl's or Elvis'? Do you think Carl would have been more successful if it weren't for the car accident?

[@chrismulwee4911]

Elvis, by far. His cover has more energy, I think.

[@thestephenhour7806]

Carl version is better, that's just my opinion.

[@marshman5319]

Elvis version for me but I am sure glad the talent of Carl Perkins penned that great song

[@honeybunch5765]

If Elvis never sang the song I think Carl might have had his hit but there was no way he could compete with Elvis, even if he had no accident. He wrote a great song but Elvis I think had a better voice too. I hope he still made money from his song, he deserves all the credit too.

[@wgormley25]

Carl to me as the songwriter should be credited as the original, however Elvis remains synonymous with his version and yet crisis stopped Carl to give way for Elvis. I'm sure Carl and Elvis would have remained friends if Elvis had survived longer

[@SPIDERMURPHY-np8bj]

I loved Carl and Elvis but must admit, Elvis was The Chosen One. There was a Higher Calling that put Elvis on this Earth and that is hard to argue with.

[@finnmcginn9931]

When Ringo and George played with Carl Perkins in 85 it was pretty easy to tell the admiration they had for him. As one commenter put it, "I've never seen George smile so much. It's a good video if you haven't seen it. Cheers

[@hhvictor2462]

Anytime I hear "Blue Suede Shoes" on oldies radio it's the Carl Perkins version.

[@dropview7013]

Love that Carl Perkins got his proper respect from The Beatles, great video as always Traxploitation 👍🏾

[@jannarkiewicz633]

Love your stuff.. Nice to take a break from Ukraine...

[@SandraSealySeawomanBDS]

This image thing in music is crazy! Yes, Elvis has that undeniable magic but glad Carl got his flowers. Would also love to see a vid re: prevalence of cover songs of past Black artists to squelch their success/ make $$ (eg. Pat Boone). Unfortunately a lot of them didn't fare as well.

[@dominiquejenkins5495]

Ok so this was 😢 sad... He may not have been recognized as a great but the greats recognized him

[@flocollectivesoul]

Love your channel thank you!

[@ajsmith5295]

Elvis Presley's version is pure rockabilly Carl Perkins version is more country

[@gnosticsabaton4975]

Exactly

[@ploppill34]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@ajsmith5295]

Whilst Elvis Presley's version of Blue Suede Shoes wasn't released on single in the USA it was released in Great Britain as a single by him before anywhere else in the world

[@petermccormack3786]

Elvis rocked a mile in Carl's 'shoes' . Regarding the milton berle show, would it of killed E to say something like, 'this one's for Carl, get well soon , buddy.'

[@adrinathegreat3095]

The first time perkins played this live on tv elvis was on another tv channel at the same time pushing it as his next release. Perkins version was released 1st jan 1956, Elvis recorded it shortly after and was the opening track of his first Album that hit the stores on 30th January, Just as perkins single entered the billboard top 40 along with Elvis's first hit heartbreak hotel. Elvis's version was as popular as Perkin's version with fan's.. Elvis release blue suede shoes just as perkins version was leaving the top 40, as a single it didn't sell half as many copies as Perkin's.. Contrary to other stories it wasn't released at the same time as perkins because elvis released heartbreak hotel first, blue suede shoes was going to help sell the album and releasing a version of the same song at the same time often results in reduced sale's.. Whose version is best, they're both good, perkins is in the looser rockabilly vein, preselys is in the harder rock and roll vein that quickly became the dominant format.. In the uk perkins version made no.8 and presley version number 9 as they were issued within a couple of weeks of each other.. Records were more expensive back then and most teenagers wouldn't have been in a position of buying 2 versions of the same song by different artists.. They'd perhaps buy 1 single every 3 months and an album would be a xmas gift

[@Traxploitation]

That's not entirely accurate Did you actually watch the video or just write a comment? A lot of what you mentioned is in the video, making much of your comment needless... some of what you mentioned isn't even accurate. It puzzles me that from time to time people leave comments without watching the video and give information that's IN the video like its a new revelation. 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@grahambingham1649]

Rockabilly and Perkins were a big influence on Johnny Marr of the SMITHS. One of the first CDs l bought was Carl Perkins Original Sun Greatest Hits (CD, 1987, Rhino)

[@Traxploitation]

That's certainly a lot cooler than the first album I purchased..."Luxury of Life" by 5 Star... I was 7 though, so there's that.

[@ajsmith5295]

Elvis Presley influenced Carl Elvis Presley recorded rockabilly music before anyone else even though they said they were singing it but Carl Perkins version is more country all of his music is more country Elvis Presley sun records are pure rockabilly they are The Blueprint

[@TheFakeyCakeMaker]

I'm about to watch this, I'm treating myself. Wayne I hope you are well, I am counting down your videos. I know it's not easy...I've not even done a title sequence! I just discovered a channel called "Threaducation" videos of a similar style to yours and about fashion. Something to put in your back pocket as you may find a crossover audience there. :-)

[@generichards6883]

How about a documentary about Louie Louie? It was a demo and copy of a copy.

[@Traxploitation]

Such a good story behind that song too!

[@petermccormack3786]

Indeed, what a journey that tune has had, from shore leave then back to sea. rock steady ska beat to a garage in Tacoma to Motorhead England and Black Flag too.

[@WarblerWren]

What about the Cadillac?

[@Traxploitation]

What about "The Caddilac"? What connection does the car he drove at the time have with the song? 🤔🤷‍♂️

[@fatherfiguredad]

I have no evidence to support this but I wholeheartedly believe the driver of the car when he wrecked was paid off. I commend you for not even insinuating that thought. Im sure it crossed any persons mind who has in -depth knowledge about the evils of the music industry.

[@SPIDERMURPHY-np8bj]

Put the bottle down and get some sleep.

[@ymoriel]

Carl is better

[@Traxploitation]

I agree!