The Commander is loose again racing his way through Hot Rod Lincoln. Originally written and released by Charlie Ryan in 1955, the Commander and the gang made it their own in 1971. For a few years, their combination of western swing, rockabilly, punk energy and bravado could not be beat. Their record company wanted something mellow like the Eagles, but that would never do for the Commander. .
This remake is a great example: a story song they add just enough madness and musical virtuoso to lift the song up so you hear it once and it will stay with yo.
The band broke up by the mid 70’s, but the Commander (born Geroge Frayne) kept at it for many years. Got introduced to him by my friend Rat and we would up drinking shots and closing the bar after a show that careened almost out of control, but never wound up in the ditch. As the Commander would sing, “Ain’t no such thing as too much fun.”
YouTube: https://youtu.be/aIoxlShsE4o?si=NNgn7BhbgjlejmHP
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2sZjmnS1BSoc1svOu5P8LM?si=fee9c249bcf143cf