Bob Landers with Willie Joe and His Unitar: Cherokee Dance

Thanks to Faux, Jr. for introducing me to this track a few days ago! “Cherokee Dance” is a prime example of what made the early days of rock and roll so wonderful. Bob “Froggy” Landers (aka Bob Lenarde) recorded this tune for Specialty Records in 1956. He was joined by Willie Joe Duncan on his unitar, a single-stringed instrument. Landers only recorded one other tune, in 1958. Duncan was a little-known Chicago musician who occasionally performed with Jimmy Reed in the early ’50s. This tune is a two and a half minute burst of raw, unbridled energy. Today, a label as successful as Specialty wouldn’t even let these guys into the studio, but in 1956 the recording world was wide open to the glory of rock and roll.

To learn more about the artists, check out this article on last.fm.

To listen to all of the songs of the day, check out the Radio Faux Show Song of the Day playlist.

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