Pop Archives

Johnny Rebb & His Rebels - Hey, Sheriff (1958)

(Felice & Boudleaux Bryant)
Australia Australia
#15 Sydney #23 Brisbane

Single on Leedon, released October 1958, charted January-February 1959. Officially the B-side, this is the side that charted and is remembered as the classic Johnny Rebb track. The A-side was an original, Noelene

Johnny Rebb (b. Dellbridge), known as The Gentleman of Rock'n'Roll, was signed by EMI for one single on Columbia in 1958 before joining Sydney entrepreneur Lee Gordon's Leedon and Lee Gordon labels. Noelene/Hey Sheriff was his first Leedon single, released at the end of 1958, and gave him his first charting single early in 1959. He became a regular on Johnny O'Keefe's Six O'Clock Rock, even filling in as host in JO'K's absence.

See also: Highway of Love (1959), and I Put A Spell On You (1966) by Australian surf instrumental band The Atlantics, recorded when Rebb had become their lead singer later in the 60s.

Johnny Rebb had been retired from the music business for many years when he died in July 2014.


This is not the Johnny Rebb who released at least one single on New Orleans label Flame in 1959.


Further reading: 1. Johnny Rebb obituary at Sydney Morning Herald. 2. Johnny Rebb at Wikipedia.

Thanks to Terry Gordon at Rockin' Country Style for details and clarification on Johnny Rebb, Rusty & Doug, and Hoots Roberts.


Rusty & Doug - Hey, Sheriff (1958)

(Felice & Boudleaux Bryant)
USA USA
Original version

Single on Hickory, Nashville, #1083, B-side of Sweet Thing (Tell Me That You Love Me)

Rusty & Doug Kershaw were a Cajun country duo. Their 1961 track Louisiana Man (written by Doug) was played by astronaut Pete Conrad on his way to the moon on Apollo 12, November 1969.

The songwriting credit Felice & Boudleaux Bryant appeared on many classic records, including Buddy Holly's Raining In My Heart. They are particularly associated with The Everly Brothers through such hits as hits as Bye Bye Love, Wake Up Little Susie, All I Have to Do Is Dream, and Bird Dog.

References: 1. Release details at Rockin' Country Style (includes label shot and audio). 2. Selected list of Bryant compositions at Wikipedia. 3. Doug Kershaw page at Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. 4. Astronaut playlist at "Deseret Times". See also this contemporary account from the "Desert Sun". 

Further reading: 1. Doug Kershaw at Wikipedia. 2. Felice & Boudeleaux Bryant: The Marriage That Became a Hit Factory at Rockabilly Hall of Fame.


Reg Lindsay And Farmer Gilmour And The Colt Breakers - Hey, Sheriff (1958)

(Felice & Boudleaux Bryant)
Australia Australia
Later version

Single on Columbia, November 1958 (Johnny Rebb's was in October), B-side of Tom Dooley which was a cover of The Kingston Trio's current hit. 

The artist name on the A-side differs slightly: Reg Lindsay And His Colt Breakers, and there's no Farmer Gilmour.

For more on Australian country music star Reg Lindsay, see his 1971 hit with the John Stewart song Armstrong.

 

Hoot Roberts And The Night Hawks - Hey, Sheriff (1963)

(Felice & Boudleaux Bryant)
USA USA
Later version

Single on the Owl label, Wausau, Wisconsin, owned by Hoot Roberts, country singer who had his own shows on local radio (WHVF) and TV.

Also recorded in the 1990s by Aussie rockabilly band The SatelliteV.

Further reading: Hoots typewrites to "Billboard" from WHVF, December 1962.