The selection for Instrumentals Tuesday is “Honky Tonk (Parts 1 and 2)” by Bill Doggett. This rhythm and blues instrumental was written by Bill Doggett, Shep Shepherd, Clifford Scott, and Billy Butler.  It was release as a single in 1956, with “Honky Tonk (Part 1) on the A-Side and “Honky Tonk (Part 2)” on the B-Side. It was also released on Doggett’s album Honky Tonk. The song rose to #1 on the U.S. Billboard pop charts and #1 on the U.S. R&B chart.  It became the biggest R&B hit of the year, staying towards the top for 13 weeks.

The list of artists who covered the piece is legion. There are versions by James Brown, The Beach Boys, Bill Blacks Combo, Billy Butler Roy Clark, Joey Dee and the Starliters, Al Kooper, Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band, Brian Setzer Orchestra, The Ventures, and many more.

Bill Doggett was a jazz and rhythm and blues pianist and organist. Her worked with numerous artists, including The Ink Spots, Johnny Otis, Wynonie, Harrie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Jordan. “Honky Tonk” was one of his biggest hits and became a signature song.

Shep Shepherd was known for his work on trombone as well as drums, vibraphone and xylophone. He worked with numerous artists, as well, including Cab Calloway, Patti Page, Lionel Hampton, and Lena Horne, among others.

Clifford Scott was a jazz, blues, and R&B saxophonist and flautist. He co-wrote and played on “Honky Tonk” and also played on “Slow Walk” with Doggett .

Billy Butler was a soul jazz guitarist. Butler has many credits, including work with Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, King Curtis, Dinah Washington, and Johnny Hodges. He is credited as the guitarist on “Peppermint Twist, Pats 1 and 2) by Joey Dee and the Starliters.

For More Golden Oldies Music

The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop music, rock and roll hits, R&B, or rockabilly songs that were hits during the first era of rock and roll (that is, from about 1952 until the British invasion in 1964). After a song is featured, it then goes into the juke box. You are welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections there. Every weekend, there is a Golden Oldies Juke Box Saturday Night, and the juke box is full of song requests from the 1950s and 1960s.

Please click here for the Daily Doo Wop YouTube channel, to which you can subscribe. Thank you for stopping by The Daily Doo Wop. Hope you enjoyed “Honky Tonk (Parts 1 and 2)” by Bill Doggett.