Influenced by the country and rhythm and blues music he heard on the radio, Cochran fronted his first band - a group called the Rockin' Capris - as a teenager, and eventually left high school to pursue music as a full-time career. He relocated to Macon, Georgia, where he befriended the soul singer Otis Redding (playing bass guitar on Redding's early recording of "Shout Bamalama" and its B-side, "Fat Girl") and recorded his first single, "The Coo", which attracted the attention of King Records, who signed him to a record deal. Cochran became close friends with King labelmate James Brown, whose stage show and road band influenced his own performing style and inspired him to assemble his own soul revue, the C. C. Riders, which occasionally featured as many as 14 musicians plus two female backing vocalists, the Sheer Delights.
Although his single recordings for King (including "Goin' Back To Miami", a song which became a signature tune for the singer) were not commercially successful beyond local markets in the south, Cochran's energetic performances, rigorous touring schedule and appearances on television talk shows such as The Jackie Gleason Show helped to make the C. C. Riders a popular attraction. In the mid-1960s, Cochran made Las Vegas his base of operations and played residencies at several hotels, casinos and theatres. During this time, he met and befriended Elvis Presley, who borrowed elements of Cochran's revue for his own Las Vegas period, adopting jump suits similar to Cochran's wardrobe and adding the song "C. C. Rider" to his set list.
Cochran recorded an album for Chess Records entitled Wayne Cochran! in 1967, which featured the blue-eyed soul and rhythm and blues style he had perfected on the road with his revue, but backed by session musicians for most of the cuts instead of his touring band. This was followed by a return to King and two further LPs, Alive & Well & Living... In A Bitch of A World and the instrumental High & Ridin', both in 1970. These albums saw the C. C. Riders' guitarist and musical director, Charles Brent, take an important creative role, and featured a jazz-influenced sound comparable to the Chicago Transit Authority or Blood, Sweat & Tears. Cochran also recorded a "live" album (actually a "live in the studio" record) for King sometime between 1967 and 1969, although this would go unreleased until it was included in an Ace Records compilation, Goin' Back To Miami: The Soul Sides 1965-1970, in 2014.
Cochran would record a final album, Cochran, for Epic Records in 1972, and continued to tour and make appearances on television. Cochran retired from music to become a minister and evangelist in Miami, Florida.
Cochran died on November 21, 2017 in Miami Florida.
Amélia
Wayne Cochran & The C.C. Riders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not a sign, it's just some neon you died
You died, looking for signs it's just some neon
Don't go searching around the bend
Don't go searching where the water ends for a sign
It's not a sign, it's just some neon, you died
It's not a sign
It's just some neon, you died
It's not a sign
The lyrics of Wayne Cochran & The C.C. Riders's song "Amelia" seems to be about someone who is searching for a sign or a meaning in life, but keeps looking in the wrong places. The repetition of "It's not a sign, it's just some neon you died" may suggest that the person is becoming too fixated on external cues or symbols that don't actually hold any significance. The line "Don't go searching where the water ends for a sign" could be interpreted as a warning against trying to find an endpoint or a resolution to life's existential questions, as these things are often elusive and subjective.
The use of the name "Amelia" in the title and the lyrics could have a few meanings. It could be a reference to the famous aviator Amelia Earhart, who disappeared while attempting to circumnavigate the globe in 1937. Her story has been used as a symbol of adventure and bravery, but also of uncertainty and loss. Alternatively, the name could simply represent a generic female figure who embodies the character's longing and confusion.
Overall, the lyrics of "Amelia" are open to interpretation, but they convey a sense of frustration and disillusionment with the search for meaning in life. The use of repetitive language and simple imagery creates a haunting and memorable atmosphere that is characteristic of Cochran's style.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not a sign, it's just some neon you died
You died and now you're searching for signs. But what you see, the neon, is not a message. It's just a colorful, flashing light.
Don't go searching around the bend
Stop looking for a message in the future or around the corner.
Don't go searching where the water ends for a sign
Don't waste time looking for a sign at the end or limit of something.
It's not a sign, it's just some neon, you died
The flashing lights are not a message that can bring you back to life.
It's not a sign
The neon you see is not a symbol with a meaning.
It's not a sign
Don't look for a sign. It won't help you.
It's just some neon, you died
The flashy lights are just that, a physical thing. Sadly, it doesn't matter to you anymore because you are dead.
It's not a sign
The neon seems important, a sign that can lead you somewhere, but it's not.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALASDAIR DAVID GEORGE MURRAY, PETER JAMES HARDING, TREVOR BROWN, ZAIRE SIMMONS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@drumncook
being the drummer on this I am proud to say I recorded this for my upcoming CD to be released in Sept. I used 11 horns & feel very good about what we did. The last time I played this tune I was 22 & Jaco was 21...I'm 63 now. As far as I know there has been no studio version released. I'll keep you posted when it comes out. More than anything Jaco was a life long friend & I miss him dearly
@JTPrime08
I'm a bass player and he's an influence on my playing as well. From listening to his music, he motivated me to be a better bass player. Other than that, Jaco Pastorius rules:).
@Zeppolino100
Jaco was my best friend in grade school. I was in his first band, The Sonics, as the keyboard player. We should connect sometime. e nol de at yah oo dot com
@BassByTheBay
You should be proud -- you guys sounded fantastic here!
@saucyjk6453
I knew Jacos dad, im from Norristown(area)...Love these tracks
@janihakkinen8665
Yyeah! This is 100% music, thank you thank you! Keep up the good swinging, we keep diggin' it! So superb music ..plz more posts!
@Kinsale1333
As I have noted before, what amazes me is that Jaco's mature style is already fully present on these early recordings. This confirms my theory that Jaco was either a space alien or some form of angelic spirit that paid us a brief visit here on earth to show us how it's done in other dimensions. Perhaps he'll come back to us someday.
@conljf1
The band ate home cooked chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans...etc cooked and served up by our Mothers. They LOVED IT! Amelia High School guitarist Rusty Hunt and myself, 1st sax player Jeff Conley, sat with Jaco as we ate. We spoke about Hendrix for an hour! Then later that night...The Star Spangled Banner on an Acoustic 360 Power Plus bass amp with built in distortion! Kappowwee!
@custommusic2433
Wow! Really you should share more stories with us please! That’s so cool I had no idea was name of a school? Kapowee would be an understatement lol, more like Krakatoa!!! Lol you are so lucky 🍀
@PerlaVisionMusic
Great drummer that holds down a solid pocket throughout.