Tommy Blake

Diagnoses

Vocation

American rockabilly artist, singer, songwiter. In the mid-1950s he formed the Rhythm Rebels, comprising Carl Adams on guitar and Eddie Hall on bass. The combo gained regular spots on the 'Big D Jamboree' radio show in Dallas, Texas, and Shreveport’s 'Louisiana Hayride.’ Following the release of his first disc, "Koolit," in 1956, Blake was included on the 'Johnny Horton TV Show' in Tyler, Texas. Blake’s late 1950s recordings included "Sweetie Pie,” "I Dig You Baby," "Shake Around,” "You Better Believe It," "Cool Alligator" and "I'll Be Free.” He co-wrote "Cool Gator Shoes" with Carl Belew in 1959 and "The Story Of A Broken Heart" (picked up by Johnny Cash in 1958), "Lonely Street" and "Am I That Easy To Forget." In the 1960s and 1970s, Blake suffered through alcoholism, drug abuse and heart disease. He died on 24 December 1985 when his third wife shot him under the Christmas tree in his Carthage, Texas home. Link to Wikipedia (German)