Big Blue Diamonds
Encyclopedia
"Big Blue Diamonds" is a song written by Earl J. (Kit) Carson in 1950 and published by Lois Music, BMI. It was first recorded by Red Perkins
and originally issued as a 78rpm single on King Records
#903 b/w "Rag Man Boogie" in 1950. Many artists have recorded the song throughout the years, sometimes with a variation of the title including: "Blue Diamond
", "Big Blue Diamond" and "Big Blue Diamonds".
One of the best-selling versions of the song was recorded in 1962 by Little Willie John
on King Records
which made the Billboard charts
. Gene Summers
had his biggest-selling single with "Big Blue Diamonds" in 1963 on Jamie Records
and it became his signature song throughout the 1960s and '70s. Country singer Jacky Ward
covered the Summers version in 1971 and also made the Billboard charts.
Although "Big Blue Diamonds" was originally written as a country song it has been able to switch genres from country
to rhythm and blues
to rock 'n roll to jazz
. As late as 2006 some of pop-rock's heavy hitters such as Van Morrison
, and Percy Sledge
have had successful versions.
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm by Jimmy Dean & The Texas Wildcats, Mercury Records 70691, 1955 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm by Rusty Cole, Emerald Records #2009, 1955 USA
Come On And Join Little Willie John - A Recording Session LP by Little Willie John, King Records 802, 1962 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm by Little Willie John, King Records 5681, 1962 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm by Gene Summers & The Tom Toms, Jamie Records 1273, 1964 USA
The Ultimate School Of Rock And Roll CD by Gene Summers, Crystal Clear Sound Records CCR9723-2, 1997 USA
On Tour LP by Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs, MGM Records E/SE-4347, 1965 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm single by Clint West, Jin Records 196, 1965 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm single by Tommy Tate, Okeh Records 7253, 1966 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm by Little Johnny Taylor, Galaxy Records 752 USA
Pay The Devil CD by Van Morrison, Lost Highway Records, 2006 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm single by Gene Summers, Maridene Records M-106-A, 1971 USA (new version)
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm single by Arthur Prysock, King Records 6354, 1971 USA
Baby It's So Hard To Be Good LP by Ernest Tubb, Decca Records DL-75388, 1972 USA
Southern Roots LP by Jerry Lee Lewis, Mercury Records LP SRM-1-690, 1973 USA
Borrowed Angel LP by Mel Street, Metromedia Records LP5001, 1973 USA
Big Blue Diamond LP by Jacky Ward, Target Records T13 1351, 1972 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm single by Nancy Jo Garton, G-BAR Records (GB 60B), 1975 USA
Dancing Room Only CD by Lembo Allen, Tex Records CD-23, 2004 USA
Texas Top Hand CD by Don Walser, Texas Music Group Records CD- 4503, 1996 USA
High Noon (Box Set) 4XCD by Tex Ritter, Bear Family Records, 2000 GERMANY
Dennis Gilley & the Milestone Band, Milestone Records 2000 USA
Night Train CD by Terry Hanck, TVR Music, 2005 USA
Lies CD by Love Doctor, Mardi Gras Records 1082, 2004 USA
Shining Through the Rain CD by Percy Sledge, Varese Sarabande Records, 2004 USA
Victory Mixture CD by Willy DeVille, Blue Moon Records, 1990 FRANCE
True Country CD by Rance Norton with Justin Trevino and Johnny Bush, Heart Of Texas Records, 2008 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm single by Jimmy Barrett, Camaro Records 3501 USA (release date unknown)
Rockabilly Hall of Fame
Red Perkins
Frank Shelton "Red" Perkins was a bandleader of one of the oldest Omaha-based territory bands, The Dixie Ramblers. Born in Muchakinock on December 26, 1890, Perkins' band was based in the city's Near North Side. National Orchestra Service booked his gigs...
and originally issued as a 78rpm single on King Records
King Records (USA)
King Records is an American record label, started in 1943 by Syd Nathan and originally headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.-History:At first it specialized in country music, at the time still known as "hillbilly music." King advertised, "If it's a King, It's a Hillbilly -- If it's a Hillbilly, it's a...
#903 b/w "Rag Man Boogie" in 1950. Many artists have recorded the song throughout the years, sometimes with a variation of the title including: "Blue Diamond
Blue Diamond
Blue Diamond may refer to:* "Blue Diamond", a song recorded by Gene Summers, first in 1963, on Donnybrook Records. The song title should have read Big Blue Diamonds and was later corrected when the recording was issued on Capri Records and then Jamie Records.* A blue diamond, the most famous...
", "Big Blue Diamond" and "Big Blue Diamonds".
One of the best-selling versions of the song was recorded in 1962 by Little Willie John
Little Willie John
William Edward John was better known by his stage name Little Willie John. Many sources erroneously give his second name as Edgar...
on King Records
King Records (USA)
King Records is an American record label, started in 1943 by Syd Nathan and originally headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.-History:At first it specialized in country music, at the time still known as "hillbilly music." King advertised, "If it's a King, It's a Hillbilly -- If it's a Hillbilly, it's a...
which made the Billboard charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
. Gene Summers
Gene Summers
Gene Summers is an American rock/rockabilly singer and entertainer. Some of his classic recordings include "School of Rock 'n Roll", "Straight Skirt", "Nervous", "Gotta Lotta That", "Twixteen", "Alabama Shake" and his biggest-selling single "Big Blue Diamonds"...
had his biggest-selling single with "Big Blue Diamonds" in 1963 on Jamie Records
Jamie Records
Jamie Records was a record label founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1957 by Harold Lipsius.Their first 45rpm single, "It's Great To Fall In Love"/"Truly" by Marian Caruso , was issued in 1957. However, they really hit the big-time in 1958 with the release of Duane Eddy's "Rebel...
and it became his signature song throughout the 1960s and '70s. Country singer Jacky Ward
Jacky Ward
Jacky Ward is an American country music artist. Between 1972 and 1982, he recorded four albums for Mercury Records, and charted more than fifteen singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Jacky Ward (born November 18, 1946 in Groveton, Texas) is an American country music artist. Between 1972...
covered the Summers version in 1971 and also made the Billboard charts.
Although "Big Blue Diamonds" was originally written as a country song it has been able to switch genres from country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
to rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
to rock 'n roll to jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
. As late as 2006 some of pop-rock's heavy hitters such as Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
, and Percy Sledge
Percy Sledge
Percy Sledge is an American R&B and soul performer who recorded the hit "When a Man Loves a Woman" in 1966.-Early career:...
have had successful versions.
Big Blue Diamonds recorded versions
- Big Blue Diamonds by Red PerkinsRed PerkinsFrank Shelton "Red" Perkins was a bandleader of one of the oldest Omaha-based territory bands, The Dixie Ramblers. Born in Muchakinock on December 26, 1890, Perkins' band was based in the city's Near North Side. National Orchestra Service booked his gigs...
(1950) - Big Blue Diamonds by Tex RitterTex RitterWoodward Maurice Ritter , better known as Tex Ritter, was an American country music singer and movie actor popular from the mid-1930s into the 1960s, and the patriarch of the Ritter family in acting...
(1950) - Big Blue Diamonds by Jimmy DeanJimmy DeanJimmy Ray Dean was an American country music singer, television host, actor and businessman. Although he may be best known today as the creator of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand, he became a national television personality starting in 1957, rising to fame for his 1961 country crossover hit "Big Bad...
and his Texas Wildcats (1955) - Big Blue Diamonds by Rusty Cole (1955)
- Big Blue Diamonds by Earl (Connelly) King (1955)
- Big Blue Diamonds by Little Willie JohnLittle Willie JohnWilliam Edward John was better known by his stage name Little Willie John. Many sources erroneously give his second name as Edgar...
(Sept.1962) - Big Blue Diamonds by Gene SummersGene SummersGene Summers is an American rock/rockabilly singer and entertainer. Some of his classic recordings include "School of Rock 'n Roll", "Straight Skirt", "Nervous", "Gotta Lotta That", "Twixteen", "Alabama Shake" and his biggest-selling single "Big Blue Diamonds"...
with the Tom Toms (1963–1964) - Big Blue Diamonds by Sam The Sham and The Pharaohs (1965)
- Big Blue Diamonds by Clint West (1965)
- Big Blue Diamonds by Tommy Tate (1966)
- Big Blue Diamonds by Little Johnny TaylorLittle Johnny TaylorLittle Johnny Taylor was an American blues and soul singer, who made recordings throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and continued public performances through the 1980s and 1990s....
(1967) - Big Blue Diamonds by Gene SummersGene SummersGene Summers is an American rock/rockabilly singer and entertainer. Some of his classic recordings include "School of Rock 'n Roll", "Straight Skirt", "Nervous", "Gotta Lotta That", "Twixteen", "Alabama Shake" and his biggest-selling single "Big Blue Diamonds"...
(1971) (new version) - Big Blue Diamonds by Jacky WardJacky WardJacky Ward is an American country music artist. Between 1972 and 1982, he recorded four albums for Mercury Records, and charted more than fifteen singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Jacky Ward (born November 18, 1946 in Groveton, Texas) is an American country music artist. Between 1972...
(December,1971) - Big Blue Diamonds by Arthur PrysockArthur PrysockArthur Prysock was an American jazz singer best known for his live shows and his baritone influenced by Billy Eckstine....
(1971) - Big Blue Diamonds by Mel StreetMel StreetKing Malachi Street , commonly known as Mel Street, was an American country music singer.-Biography:Street was born in Rowe, Virginia to a coal mining family...
(1972) - Big Blue Diamonds by Ernest TubbErnest TubbErnest Dale Tubb , nicknamed the Texas Troubadour, was an American singer and songwriter and one of the pioneers of country music. His biggest career hit song, "Walking the Floor Over You" , marked the rise of the honky tonk style of music...
(1972) - Big Blue Diamonds by Jerry Lee LewisJerry Lee LewisJerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
(1973) - Big Blue Diamonds by Nancy Jo Garton (1975)
- Big Blue Diamonds by Willy DeVilleWilly DeVilleWilly DeVille was an American singer and songwriter. During his thirty-five year career, first with his band Mink DeVille and later on his own, Deville created original songs rooted in traditional American musical styles. He worked with collaborators from across the spectrum of contemporary...
(1990) - Big Blue Diamonds by Don WalserDon WalserDonald Ray Walser was an American country music singer. He was known as a unique, award-winning yodeling "Texas country music legend."- Music career :...
(1996) - Big Blue Diamonds by Dennis Gilley (2000)
- Big Blue Diamonds by Jimmy Needham, Jr. (2002)
- Big Blue Diamonds by Lembo Allen (February 2, 2004)
- Big Blue Diamonds by Love Doctor (February 17, 2004)
- Big Blue Diamonds by Percy SledgePercy SledgePercy Sledge is an American R&B and soul performer who recorded the hit "When a Man Loves a Woman" in 1966.-Early career:...
(August 31, 2004) - Big Blue Diamonds by Terry Hanck (November 8, 2005)
- Big Blue Diamonds by Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
(March 7, 2006) - Big Blue Diamonds by Rance Norton with Justin Trevino (April 2008)
- Big Blue Diamonds by Les York (release date unknown)
- Big Blue Diamonds by Jimmy Barrett (release date unknown)
Sources
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm by Earl (Connelly) King, King Records 4889, 1955 USABig Blue Diamonds 45rpm by Jimmy Dean & The Texas Wildcats, Mercury Records 70691, 1955 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm by Rusty Cole, Emerald Records #2009, 1955 USA
Come On And Join Little Willie John - A Recording Session LP by Little Willie John, King Records 802, 1962 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm by Little Willie John, King Records 5681, 1962 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm by Gene Summers & The Tom Toms, Jamie Records 1273, 1964 USA
The Ultimate School Of Rock And Roll CD by Gene Summers, Crystal Clear Sound Records CCR9723-2, 1997 USA
On Tour LP by Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs, MGM Records E/SE-4347, 1965 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm single by Clint West, Jin Records 196, 1965 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm single by Tommy Tate, Okeh Records 7253, 1966 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm by Little Johnny Taylor, Galaxy Records 752 USA
Pay The Devil CD by Van Morrison, Lost Highway Records, 2006 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm single by Gene Summers, Maridene Records M-106-A, 1971 USA (new version)
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm single by Arthur Prysock, King Records 6354, 1971 USA
Baby It's So Hard To Be Good LP by Ernest Tubb, Decca Records DL-75388, 1972 USA
Southern Roots LP by Jerry Lee Lewis, Mercury Records LP SRM-1-690, 1973 USA
Borrowed Angel LP by Mel Street, Metromedia Records LP5001, 1973 USA
Big Blue Diamond LP by Jacky Ward, Target Records T13 1351, 1972 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm single by Nancy Jo Garton, G-BAR Records (GB 60B), 1975 USA
Dancing Room Only CD by Lembo Allen, Tex Records CD-23, 2004 USA
Texas Top Hand CD by Don Walser, Texas Music Group Records CD- 4503, 1996 USA
High Noon (Box Set) 4XCD by Tex Ritter, Bear Family Records, 2000 GERMANY
Dennis Gilley & the Milestone Band, Milestone Records 2000 USA
Night Train CD by Terry Hanck, TVR Music, 2005 USA
Lies CD by Love Doctor, Mardi Gras Records 1082, 2004 USA
Shining Through the Rain CD by Percy Sledge, Varese Sarabande Records, 2004 USA
Victory Mixture CD by Willy DeVille, Blue Moon Records, 1990 FRANCE
True Country CD by Rance Norton with Justin Trevino and Johnny Bush, Heart Of Texas Records, 2008 USA
Big Blue Diamonds 45rpm single by Jimmy Barrett, Camaro Records 3501 USA (release date unknown)
See also
Rockin' Country StyleRockabilly Hall of Fame