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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBENNETT, Boyd(b 7 Dec. '24, Muscle Shoals AL) Singer, bandleader. Won talent show with folk songs in Evansville IN at age 14; formed high school band in Goodlettesville TN. After US Navy service worked as disc jockey, Louisville KY '46, later weekly TV show and own western swing band. Signed to King label; output veered from country to dixieland, finally settling into Bill Haley rock'n'roll style, calling band the Rockets and sharing vocal duties with 250-lb Big Moe. "Seventeen' reached no. 5 pop chart, no. 8 R&B; "My Boy Flat Top' no. 39 pop, both '55, both sung by Big Moe. Version of "Blue Suede Shoes' made no. 63 '56. "Seven Nights to Rock', with C&W pianist Moon Mullican gained some cult status; there were also vocals by Rocket's pianist Cecil McNabb. Switched to Mercury for singles of which "Boogie Bear' was a minor hit. Early '60s on Kernal; gave up bandleading, operated Thunderbird club in Indianapolis, later moved to Dallas. |