The family hailed from Boaz, Alabama, but rode the rails and hitch hiked to California in 1933 when the band members were still children, following the failed efforts of their sharecropper parents during the early part of the Depression. They were a little in advance of the flood of Okies who were to flood the state in the 30s. They struggled to make a living as intinerant fruit and vegetable pickers following the harvest as far north as Washington state, and as far east as Arizona, as well as in the San Joaquin Valley. They often worked from dawn to dusk, sleeping and eating on the ground.
Having settled in Modesto, the family developed their musical ability and, in 1937 performed on the radio, sponsored by a local furniture store. In 1939 they entered a hillbilly band competition at the centennial Sacramento State Fair after driving to Sacramento in their Model A. When they took the stage they tore through "Sally Let Your Bangs Hang Down" with rocking rhythms and risque lyrics. They became, officially, California's best hillbilly band.
The brothers and Rose appeared at places such as the 97th Street Corral in Los Angeles.
From 1946-1951 the group recorded for 4 Star Records (Hollywood), then for Columbia Records. Some 4 Star masters were leased and released by US.-Decca Records at the beginning of the 1950s. The following quotes are from Rose Maddox. "We were called hillbilly singers - not country - then. No, none of this country music then. People just called us hillbilly... People tell me that I was one of the first women to sing what I sang - country boogie. I guess I was. There was no rock 'n' roll in those early days, before 1955. Only country boogie. My brothers also played that way. We called it country then."
The Maddox's material ranged from the country standards of Hank Williams and Merle Travis, cowboy songs, to the Western swing of Bob Wills, to old-time, folk, and church singing, to jazz, swing, boogie woogie and even a taste of early rock and roll.
Fred Maddox played upright bass using the "slap bass" technique as early as 1937.[5] This trademark backbeat, a slapping bass style, helped drive a broad change in popular music, sporting a faster, immediately discernible rhythm that came to be known as rockabilly.
Fred Maddox's bass is displayed at the Experience Music Project in Seattle. "They wanted his bass because they believe he might have hit the first note of rock 'n' roll on it."
[edit]Band members
Cliff Maddox (born 1912 Boaz, Alabama - died 1949)
Cal Maddox (born November 3, 1915 Boaz, Alabama - died 1968)
Fred Maddox (born July 3, 1919 Boaz, Alabama - died October 29, 1992)
Don Maddox (born December 7, 1922 Boaz, Alabama)
Rose Maddox (born August 15, 1925 Boaz, Alabama - died April 15, 1998)
Henry Maddox (born March 19, 1928 Boaz, Alabama - died 1974)
The Death of Rock and Roll
Maddox Brothers & Rose Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With leather and steel all over the place
You're just jelous, you cant wear them like me
You see all the girls staring at me
Im a man with a dream yeah you can see
I just love to scream and shout, making a big noise
You might think im lame cause you can't get layed
Girls that you want is all over my face
You see me on stage banging with my hair
Raising hell drinking beer making girls wet
Im a man, im possessed by the women jucie
Rock 'n' Roll Star
Rock 'n' Roll God
Scream and shout, cause I am a
Rock 'n' Roll Star
Rock 'n' Roll God
When i walk down town people follow me
They all want a piece of me
Im a rock star, I always get it my way
I smoke and I drink and I crank up the heat
The crowd goes wild for my rock n roll beat
They can't get enough me, always begging for more more more
Rock 'n' Roll Star
Rock 'n' Roll God
Scream and shout, cause I am a
Rock 'n' Roll Star
Rock 'n' Roll God
There's no stopping the power of his rocking
Thats right you know
There's no stopping the power of his rocking
Hey you keep your eyes on me
There's no stopping the power of his rocking
Even if my wife, wanna take me shopping
There's no stopping the power of his rocking
Im out of controll, lets rock 'n' roll
Rock 'n' Roll Star
Rock 'n' Roll God
Scream and shout, cause I am a
Rock 'n' Roll Star
Rock 'n' Roll God
The Maddox Bros. & Rose's song "The Death Of Rock And Roll" is about a rockstar who is confident, proud, and loves being the center of attention, even if it means wearing tight leather pants with steel all over the place. He seems to enjoy making a big noise and loves the attention he gets from girls. The lyrics focus on his self-confidence, his wild performances and the impact he has on his audience. The singer sees himself as the "Rock 'n' Roll Star" and "Rock 'n' Roll God," and believes that he can handle anything that comes his way. He is so absorbed in his rockstar life that he feels possessed by the "women juice."
The song reflects a time in the 1950s when rock 'n' roll was new and was considered a threat to the existing social norms. The lyrics reflect the rebellious nature of the genre, which challenged the traditional views of music and society. The singer's confidence and pride in his rockstar lifestyle are an example of the freedom that rock 'n' roll offered to young people who were looking for a way to express themselves. The song also suggests that for some people, rock 'n' roll was more than just music - it was a way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
You might think im weard for wearing tight pants
Some people might judge me for wearing tight pants
With leather and steel all over the place
My clothing consists of leather and metal
You're just jelous, you cant wear them like me
People who criticize my clothes are most likely jealous that they can’t pull off the same style
You see all the girls staring at me
Girls pay attention to me because of my style and confidence
Im a man with a dream yeah you can see
I have a dream of becoming a successful musician and my ambition is obvious to others
I just love to scream and shout, making a big noise
I enjoy performing and putting on a loud, energetic show
You might think im lame cause you can't get layed
People who criticize me might only do so because they are jealous of my success with women
Girls that you want is all over my face
Women desire me and their attraction is evident on my face
You're just jelous, you can't have them like me
Again, those who criticize me are jealous of my appeal to women
You see me on stage banging with my hair
My on-stage act involves head-banging and thrashing around with my long hair
Raising hell drinking beer making girls wet
My actions on stage are wild and vulgar, which attracts female attention
Im a man, im possessed by the women jucie
My attraction to women is strong and overwhelming
When i walk down town people follow me
My status as a successful musician draws attention and fans everywhere I go
They all want a piece of me
Fans are eager to meet me and have some sort of connection to my celebrity status
Im a rock star, I always get it my way
As a successful musician, I am used to getting what I want
I smoke and I drink and I crank up the heat
I engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and drinking, and perform with high energy
The crowd goes wild for my rock n roll beat
My music has a strong impact on audiences, who respond with enthusiasm
They can't get enough me, always begging for more more more
Fans are insatiable when it comes to their desire for more of my music and performance
There's no stopping the power of his rocking
My musical talent and energy is unstoppable
Even if my wife, wanna take me shopping
Even if my wife wants to control my behavior, my love for music and performing cannot be stopped
Im out of controll, lets rock 'n' roll
I am wild and uninhibited, ready to perform and entertain
Rock 'n' Roll Star
I have achieved rock star status
Rock 'n' Roll God
I am revered and idolized by fans as a rock star
Scream and shout, cause I am a
My music and performance are so intense that fans are screaming and shouting
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Joachim Berntsen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind