We need to note a couple of sad passings in the world of early rock'n'roll instrumental music.
Santo Farina, of the hugely popular '50s Brooklyn-born brother duo Santo & Johnny, best known for their evergreen hit 'Sleep Walk', sadly passed away last week at the age of 78.
Check out this live performance of 'Sleep Walk' introduced by Dick Clark, and, under that, hear Jeff Beck's version from his 2011 'Rock'n'Roll Party' album.
Santo & Johnny - Sleep Walk
Jeff Beck - Sleep Walk
Read more about Sleep Walk in this 2012 interview with Johnny Farina
Closer to home, legendary Melbourne guitarist Charlie Gauld, of Melbourne's first rock band the Thunderbirds, passed away recently. Charlie was 17 when he joined the band in 1960, and was a huge influence on subsequent generations of guitarists around the country.
The Thunderbirds had originally formed in 1957 and were inducted into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame last year. Check out the Thunderbirds' smash 1961 take of 'Wild Weekend' here, and on Festival Records '100 Greatest Australian Singles of the '60s' 4CD Set!
Thunderbirds - Wild Weekend
Rest well, legends. Thanks for the music.
