Chuck Dallis: Twisting the Moon Away!

Thomas Garcia — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:51:33 +0000

If you’re fascinated by the eclectic mixture of country, rhythm & blues, and rockabilly music popularized by Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and other performers in the 1950’s, then Mr. Chuck Dallis should be added to your list of favorite performers. Chuck Dallis (often spelled “Dallas”) currently lives in the Bay Area – in sleepy St. Petersburg to be exact. Chuck wandered into Pro Star Recording Studios in March with a handful of stacked 45’s rpm’s (anybody under 30 remember those things?). Chuck wanted the music transferred to CD. Upon further prodding, we discovered that Chuck was an accomplished songwriter and performer with a wealth of experience in the music industry before and after Elvis! We were astounded by his stories – particularly the people he worked with, studios he recorded at and labels he signed with. Who would believe such a legend lives only stone’s throw away from Bay Area Beat’s home office? Perhaps Chuck’s most compelling experience is his relationship with the great Nat “King” Cole. An enthused Cole signed Chuck Dallis to an exclusive recording contract to Cole’s KC Records. However, because of Cole’s sudden and untimely death, the label folded. However, Dallis continued to play his unique brand of rockabilly. Chuck continued to record for Mar-Vel, Glenn and KC records, releasing singles in the early 1960’s. Dallis also recorded at the infamous Chess Studios in Chicago and 3 songs, including “C’Mon Let’s Go,” and “Purty” and his signature song “Moon Twist.” The latter was released in 1962 under Hammond, Indiana’s Glenn label and blend both rockabilly and country style. According to sold over 250,000 copies in the states also charted in Europe. Chuck was recently inducted in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in Nashville for his songs “Moon Twist,” Good Show but No Go,” and “So Close to Heaven.” We’re proud to have Chuck Dallis in the Bay Area.

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Chuck Dallis: Twisting the Moon Away!