It is said not to be the case that The Crickets chose their name while listening to a playback of "I'm Gonna Love You Too" ; rather, the name was chosen while going through an encyclopedia of names. Other names had been considered including The Scoundrels and The Spiders. Holly's manager (Norman Petty) and owner of the Norman Petty Studio in Clovis ,NM, decided to keep the chirping in the record, but this is in no way tied to the origin of the band's name. In real life, they chose the name due to huge number of crickets in Texas that particular time of year. It should be worth noting that they almost chose the name The Beetles (it is said that John Lennon later named his band in homage to Holly and The Crickets).
Rhythm guitarist Sullivan wasn't comfortable with the amount of traveling and to a lesser extent, he didn't fit in with Jerry and Joe B. For the same reason, Jerry and Joe were not ready to leave small town Lubbock for big city NY. The big move was the real reason why The Crickets initially broke up, but Holly was not daunted by the breakup; he chose a new back-up band for the Winter Dance Party Tour. The new band consisted of Tommy Allsup, Waylon Jennings and Carl Bunch on drums. Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper were booked on the tour with Holly and his new band. Dion and newcomer Frankie Sardo also performed on this particular tour. But after about 4 months, Jerry and Joe B began to have second thoughts about the breakup of the band. They had planned to fly to Moorehead, MN, and surprise their friend. Destiny stepped in and the music world suffered its first tragic accident February 3, 1959.
The Crickets (Jerry and Joe) continued to record on their own with guitarist Sonny Curtis and vocalist Earl Sinks. The album Remnants was released in 1973 with band members Allison, Curtis, Albert Lee, Ric Grech, Steve Krikorian (later known as Tonio K.), Carol Montgomery, and Nick VanMaarth.
In the film The Buddy Holly Story, the story of the band was altered drastically and includes many inaccuracies. Due to The Crickets selling the rights to another studio, their film counterparts' names were changed for legal reasons. In addition, there are only two Crickets -- a bass player clearly being Mauldin and a drummer modeled on Allison, and the character of Sullivan and his quitting the band is omitted entirely. The real Crickets were outraged on being portrayed as racists, as well as the latter scene in which they appear at Holly's door wanting to reunite. In reality, they had discussed with Holly, shortly before his death, about going on a reunion tour.
The Crickets released The Crickets and Their Buddies in 2004, featuring classics from all parts of their career, with performances by several prominent artists, including Eric Clapton, Rodney Crowell, Waylon Jennings, Nanci Griffith, John Prine, Graham Nash, and Bobby Vee.
On 28 October 2008, The Crickets were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN. On 14 April 2012, The Crickets were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
On February 6, 2016, "The Crickets & Buddies" performed in Clear Lake, Iowa, at the Surf Ballroom, the site of Holly's last performance. Members of previous line-ups appeared, including Sonny Curtis, Glen D. Hardin, Albert Lee, Tommy Allsup, Gordon Payne and others. After the show, Allison announced that it was the group's final performance.
Willie And The Hand Jive
The Crickets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's got a cool little chick named Rockin' Millie
He can walk and stroll and Susie Q
And do that crazy hand jive too
Papa told Willie, you'll ruin my home
You and that hand jive have got to go
Willie said, Papa, don't put me down
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive
Mama, Mama look at Uncle Joe
He's doin' that hand jive with sister Flo
Grandma gave baby sister a dime
Said, do that hand jive one more time
Well, the doctor and the lawyer and Indian chief
They all dig that crazy beat
Way Out Willie gave 'em all a treat
When he did that hand jive with his feet / Hand jive...
Willie and Millie got married last fall
They had a little Willie Junior, and a-that ain't all
You know, the baby got famous in his crib, you see
Doin' that hand jive on TV / Hand jive...
The Crickets' song "Willie and the Hand Jive" is a classic rock and roll track that features hand clapping, foot stomping and guitar riffs, which are all a tribute to the 1950s dance craze called "hand jive." The lyrics detail the story of a man named Way Out Willie and his love interest Rockin' Millie who are both proficient in the art of hand jive. However, Willie's father disapproves of the dance and asks him to stop performing it. Despite his father's warning, Willie declares that "they're doin' the hand jive all over town." The song celebrates the popularity of the hand jive dance and highlights how everyone, from Uncle Joe to the doctor, lawyer and Indian chief, loves to move to the crazy beat. The song also touches on the idea of the hand jive as a way of life, as Willie and Millie get married and have a son who becomes famous for doing the hand jive on TV while still in his crib.
The lyrics of "Willie and the Hand Jive" are an excellent representation of the pop culture of 1950s America, which was heavily influenced by music and dance. The song's upbeat tempo, catchy chorus, and simple lyrics made it an instant hit among teenagers, as well as adults. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Eric Clapton, who recorded a version for his album "461 Ocean Boulevard." Additionally, the song has been featured in several movies and TV shows, such as "American Graffiti," "Forrest Gump," "Saturday Night Live," and "Happy Days."
Line by Line Meaning
I know a cat named Way Out Willie
I am acquainted with someone called Way Out Willie
He's got a cool little chick named Rockin' Millie
He has a girlfriend who is referred to as Rockin' Millie
He can walk and stroll and Susie Q
He can perform dance moves including the walk, the stroll, and Susie Q
And do that crazy hand jive too
Additionally, he is capable of performing the hand jive
Papa told Willie, you'll ruin my home
Willie's father warned him that his actions might negatively affect his family and household
You and that hand jive have got to go
You, specifically referencing Willie and his participation in the hand jive dance, need to stop
Willie said, Papa, don't put me down
In response, Willie requested that his father not belittle or criticize him
They're doin' the hand jive all over town
Willie argued that many people in town are performing the hand jive, indicating its popularity and presumably justifying his own participation
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive
This line simply repeats the chorus, which focuses on the hand jive dance
Mama, Mama look at Uncle Joe
Willie encourages his mother to observe Uncle Joe
He's doin' that hand jive with sister Flo
Uncle Joe is dancing the hand jive with Willie's sister Flo
Grandma gave baby sister a dime
Willie's grandmother gave his younger sister ten cents
Said, do that hand jive one more time
She requested that his sister perform the hand jive dance once more
Well, the doctor and the lawyer and Indian chief
Three specific individuals (a doctor, a lawyer, and an Indian chief) are mentioned
They all dig that crazy beat
All three of these individuals enjoy the music's unique and unusual rhythm
Way Out Willie gave 'em all a treat
Willie's performance was viewed as a spectacle, and all three of these individuals enjoyed it greatly
When he did that hand jive with his feet
Willie's impressive dance skills included performing the hand jive with his feet
Willie and Millie got married last fall
Willie and Millie were married recently, during the previous autumn season
They had a little Willie Junior, and a-that ain't all
The couple has a son named Willie Junior, and they may have had other children or events happen in their marriage
You know, the baby got famous in his crib, you see
Somehow, Willie Junior achieved fame while still being a mere infant
Doin' that hand jive on TV
This fame was attributed to Willie Junior appearing and performing the hand jive dance on television
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHNNY OTIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@23tbob
I was 16 when this came out, and it was the first rock 'n roll song that "blew me away". And it's still in the TOP 5 of my all time favorite songs, and I'll be 80 in July 2022.
@johntittensor6488
Yo 23tBob! Same timing, I was 15 in Australia, found myself doing the song with cover bands in France decades later. Happy Birthday! John T
@23tbob
@John Tittensor Thanks for the birthday wishes (Friday the 22nd). Hard to believe I'll be 80, and my health is still pretty good. I'm watching the British Open right now -- I follow the Norwegian "kid" Viktor Hovland (he's 24). He's ranked about 8th or 9th in the world golf rankings.
@chrisb5278
Hey there! I'm of almost the same birthday but in 88. I love this music! Happy to read that you're in good health! 😁👍
@r0ckstar666
When I heard bad brains fearless vampire killers in 1984 that blew me away
@harleypointer5984
Keep rocking kings!
@pennycarroll9006
Oh we all used to do this at the dances we had way back then. It sure was fun. I heard this on radio today and started singing it while I was driving. Remembered the words too! I am a young 77! Music is my secret!!!
@andrewkappler5503
Tommy Williams came to Shawshank in 1965 on a two-year stretch for B&E. That's breaking & entering to you. Cops caught him sneaking TV sets out the back door of a JC Penney. Young punk. Mr. Rock and Roll. Cocky as hell. We liked him immediately.
@Yevkasem1417
:) Perfect
@mr.pastor5681
”Come on Old Boys!!!”