Suzie Q songwriter dies

3 years ago by Jeff Woods | February 16, 2010 3:51 pm

CCR rocked something we’ve come to know as swamp boogie, in part thanks to Delmar Allen “Dale” Hawkins, long considered an architect of “swamp rock boogie” and recorded his first hit in 1956 with a 15-year-old guitarist by the name of James Burton (of Elvis fame)

Among Hawkin’s more well-known accomplishments was writing the song “Susie Q.” His own version of the tune climbed up the charts in 1957, afterwhich Creedence Clearwater Revival made it their own.

 “I wrote that little guitar lick when I was 14,” Burton said, according to the Shreveport Times. “It got to be so popular in the club that Dale decided to write some lyrics to it and that became ‘Susie Q.’”

Hawkins recorded more than 40 songs for the Chess record label and was the third artist to appear on “American Bandstand.”
Hawkins is also credited as being the first white performer to appear at the Cotton Club in Harlem and the Regal in Chicago.

He also had a famous musician cousin – Ronnie Hawkins – who watched his own group of backing musicians go on to success in during the 1960s under the name The Band.


“Dale and I played at the Ponderosa Stomp and the House of Blues at Jazzfest in New Orleans last year,” Burton said. “He was in great shape then, he was singing great and jumping all over the stage. He was in rare form.”

Dale Hawkins passed away on February 13th in Little Rock, Arkansas, following a long battle with colon cancer. He was 73.

For more on the life of Dale Hawkins, from the Arkansas Times, click HERE

 

 

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add a comment 7 Comments
  • Jason
    February 17, 2010 at 3:13 am

    This is surreal to see this, I thought this was written by CCR. I actually like this original version better – it’s more funky. Keep on with the education of the rock nation.

    (Reply)
  • Kelli
    February 17, 2010 at 8:06 am

    It’s always so sad when the music world loses anyone espically a “pioneer”

    (Reply)
  • johnny d
    February 17, 2010 at 11:51 am

    Great song. And proves that, with the Hawkins family, there has been some good stuff come from Arkansas.

    (Reply)
  • Pierre Frenette
    February 17, 2010 at 4:36 pm

    Its always sad when a song writer legend passes away.Susie Q was great song.

    (Reply)
  • Mexdale
    February 18, 2010 at 9:30 am

    Always loved that song.Very interesting and informative.Man,could ole DALE shake a leg or what.Imagine Dale and Elvis on the same stage.That would be a show and a half.JW thanks. M

    (Reply)
  • ian
    February 18, 2010 at 6:26 pm

    I hadn’t heard that version in a long while. Sounded real fine. Besides finding olde wrestling footage You tube has one more goode quality, olde rock footage.
    ian

    (Reply)
  • ian
    February 18, 2010 at 6:26 pm

    I hadn’t heard that version in a long while. Sounded real fine. Besides finding olde wrestling footage You tube has one more goode quality, olde rock footage.
    ian

    (Reply)

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