Train Kept A-Rollin'
Encyclopedia
"Train Kept A-Rollin" is a song written by Tiny Bradshaw
, Howard Kay, and Lois Mann. Bradshaw first recorded the song as a jump blues
in 1951—his best known recording. After a rock and roll
version of the song was recorded and released by Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio
in 1956, numerous other versions have been recorded. The Trio's version, considered a rockabilly classic, is an upbeat, high energy version of the original, with lead guitarist Paul Burlison playing what many consider to be the first introduction of the contemporary fuzz tone guitar sound.
helped make the song a garage-rock
staple when they covered it on the 1965 album Having a Rave Up
. A live version recorded in 1968 was released on the 1971 album Live Yardbirds: Featuring Jimmy Page
. The riff Jeff Beck
used for their version of the song was later used in another song written by Beck and Keith Relf
titled "Stroll On." "Stroll On" was used in the movie Blowup
. The published sheet music for the Yardbirds' version is titled "Train Kept A Rollin' (Stroll On)", with credit given to Beck, Relf, Jimmy Page
, Chris Dreja
, and Jim McCarty
. Despite the inclusion of "Stroll On" in the title, this sheet music appears to be the score for "Train Kept a Rollin'".
played together in 1968. According to John Paul Jones, the room "exploded" when they kicked it off, and they knew they had something. They subsequently played the song as their show opener on tour during 1968 and 1969, and revived it in their final tour "Over Europe
" in 1980. A studio version was never recorded by Led Zeppelin, but during his solo Outrider
sessions in 1988 Page did record a version similar to that performed by Led Zeppelin in 1980. Nevertheless, the song is featured on several unofficial concert recordings
from the end of 1968 and 1969 (see Led Zeppelin bootleg recordings
).
's version of the song on their album 5,000,000
is heavily derived from the Led Zeppelin version, but slower, with a combination reggae and harmonica blues backdrop, as well as imitation Elvis Presley
vocals.
And The Sunsets officially released two versions of the song. The first, produced by Dave Edmunds
, appeared on their 1970 debut album "A Legend". A re-recorded version appeared on their eponymous 1973 LP "Shakin' Stevens And The Sunsets". In addition, the band recorded a version for the BBC
on June 15, 1970 which was broadcast on the programme "First Gear" on August 27, 1970.
(of the Box Tops
and Big Star) covered the song on his 1980 album 'live in london'. He was backed by a pick up band of two members of the Soft Boys (Matthew Seligman & Morris Windsor) and one member of The Vibrators
(Ian 'Knox' Carnochan) with little rehearsal time. The set it is taken from is on the second night of their tour.
covered the song on their second album Get Your Wings
which was released in 1974. The song has long been played on album-oriented rock
and classic rock
radio stations. Additionally, the song has long been a staple in the band's live shows, often closing their shows. It is featured on three Aerosmith live compilations: Live! Bootleg (1978), Classics Live
(1986), and Rockin' the Joint
(2005
). On the Rockin' the Joint version, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford
can be heard doing a little bit of "The Star Spangled Banner" towards the end. Additionally, the band is known to play two different versions of the song, the regular version of the song, as well as a slowed-down version often called "Slow Train" in the setlists. On at least two occasions, lead singer Steven Tyler
and guitarist Joe Perry
have performed the song with other artists; in 1992 with Guns N' Roses
and in 1995 with Page and Plant
. In 2002, the whole band performed the song live with the Japanese hard rock duo B'z
. A cover of Aerosmith's version appears in the music video game
Rock Band, and the master track appears in Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
as the final encore in the game.
Bob Ezrin, who was the executive producer on Get Your Wings, brought in session guitarists Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter to perform the dueling solos on this song.
helped by Jimmy Page
, Jeff Beck
, Joe Perry
(all three of which, as previously mentioned, have covered the song in the past), Flea
(Red Hot Chili Peppers
), Ronnie Wood and their ex-bassist Jason Newsted
covered the song in 2009
following their and Beck's inductions to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
as the ceremony's "All-Star Finale" performance.
recorded this song as an instrumental for their eponymous 1970 album. Hanoi Rocks
cut a live recording of the track on their 1984 live album All Those Wasted Years. Motörhead covered the song on their 1977 eponymous debut album
. Skid Row covered the Aerosmith
version of the song on their 1990 video Oh Say Can You Scream
. The Tragically Hip
have performed a live version of the song, which included a monologue by Gord Downie about his girlfriend writing his biography, and selling it for millions and millions of dollars. Twisted Sister
cut a live recording of the song as a bonus track recorded in 1979 at Detroit, Portchester New York, on their 1995 live album Live at Hammersmith
. In Buffalo, NY, the Rogues released a version as their first single in 1966.
The Nazz
recorded a version of this song which was unreleased until their Best Of album in 1984. Foghat
also released a song titled "Honey Hush" with a very similar riff to that of "Train Kept A Rollin'" except that the riff was sped up and had different lyrics. It was likely based on Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio
's version of "Honey Hush", which is the B-side of their version of "Train Kept A-Rollin". The Rock and Roll Trio's version of "Honey Hush" may have been the origin of the "Train Kept A-Rollin'" riff as portions of the riff from "Honey Hush" bear a striking similarity to it. Colin James and the Little Big Band
recorded a version of the song on their self-titled album from 1993. The skaterock band Boneless Ones recorded a song for the third installment of the Thrasher Magazine
"Skaterock" series, but the title and lyrics were altered to "The Keg Kept A' Flowin'."
Ritchie Blackmore
performed on the Great Lord Sutch cover which was released just prior to the Yardbirds version. Blackmore was also with Sutch when they covered Honey Hush.
Bon Jovi
performed the song at a January 10, 1990 charity concert they hosted at Hammersmith Odeon outside London, England to benefit Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy -- Jimmy Page
joined them on stage to play lead guitar.
Irish Rockabilly-Singer Imelda May
and her Band tend to perform this number live, generally following Johnny Burnette quality's.
Tiny Bradshaw
Myron C. Bradshaw was an American jazz and rhythm and blues bandleader, singer, composer, pianist, and drummer from Youngstown, Ohio.-Early years:...
, Howard Kay, and Lois Mann. Bradshaw first recorded the song as a jump blues
Jump blues
Jump blues is an up-tempo blues usually played by small groups and featuring horns. It was very popular in the 1940s, and the movement was a precursor to the arrival of rhythm and blues and rock and roll...
in 1951—his best known recording. After a rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
version of the song was recorded and released by Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio
The Rock and Roll Trio
The Rock and Roll Trio was the name of a rockabilly group which was formed in Memphis, Tennessee during the 1950s. They were also known as "Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio" and the "Johnny Burnette Trio". The members of the Trio were Dorsey Burnette, his younger brother Johnny, and a...
in 1956, numerous other versions have been recorded. The Trio's version, considered a rockabilly classic, is an upbeat, high energy version of the original, with lead guitarist Paul Burlison playing what many consider to be the first introduction of the contemporary fuzz tone guitar sound.
The Yardbirds version
The YardbirdsThe Yardbirds
- Current :* Chris Dreja - rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Jim McCarty - drums, backing vocals * Ben King - lead guitar * David Smale - bass, backing vocals...
helped make the song a garage-rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
staple when they covered it on the 1965 album Having a Rave Up
Having a Rave Up
Having a Rave Up With The Yardbirds is the second American album by English rock band The Yardbirds. Released in 1965, the album is a mix of US-only tracks, previously released singles, and material from Five Live Yardbirds. The album spent thirty-three weeks in Billboard's Top LPs chart where it...
. A live version recorded in 1968 was released on the 1971 album Live Yardbirds: Featuring Jimmy Page
Live Yardbirds: Featuring Jimmy Page
Live Yardbirds: Featuring Jimmy Page is a live album released by English blues rock band The Yardbirds in 1971 of their live performance at the Anderson Theatre in New York City on 30 March 1968...
. The riff Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
used for their version of the song was later used in another song written by Beck and Keith Relf
Keith Relf
Keith William Relf , was a musician best known as the lead singer and harmonica player of The Yardbirds. After the Yardbirds broke up Relf formed the acoustic duo Together, with fellow Yardbird Jim McCarty, followed by Renaissance, which also featured his sister, singer Jane Relf, then hard rock...
titled "Stroll On." "Stroll On" was used in the movie Blowup
Blowup
Blowup is a 1966 film directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, his first English-language film.It tells of a British photographer's accidental involvement with a murder, inspired by Julio Cortázar's short story, "Las babas del diablo" or "The Devil's Drool" , translated also as Blow-Up, and by the life...
. The published sheet music for the Yardbirds' version is titled "Train Kept A Rollin' (Stroll On)", with credit given to Beck, Relf, Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
, Chris Dreja
Chris Dreja
Chris Dreja was the rhythm guitarist, and later bassist, in the 1960s British band, The Yardbirds.-Early life:...
, and Jim McCarty
Jim McCarty
Jim McCarty is an English musician, best known as the drummer for The Yardbirds and Renaissance.-Early life:...
. Despite the inclusion of "Stroll On" in the title, this sheet music appears to be the score for "Train Kept a Rollin'".
Led Zeppelin version
"Train Kept A-Rollin'" was the first tune Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
played together in 1968. According to John Paul Jones, the room "exploded" when they kicked it off, and they knew they had something. They subsequently played the song as their show opener on tour during 1968 and 1969, and revived it in their final tour "Over Europe
Tour Over Europe 1980
Tour Over Europe 1980 was the last concert tour by the English rock band Led Zeppelin. The tour commenced on June 17 and concluded on July 7, 1980...
" in 1980. A studio version was never recorded by Led Zeppelin, but during his solo Outrider
Outrider (album)
Outrider is an album by Jimmy Page, released by Geffen Records on 19 June 1988. It is his first genuine solo album, and the first time since 1969 he recorded with a record label other than Atlantic Records/Swan Song Records. It was recorded at The Sol, Page's personal studio...
sessions in 1988 Page did record a version similar to that performed by Led Zeppelin in 1980. Nevertheless, the song is featured on several unofficial concert recordings
Bootleg recording
A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
from the end of 1968 and 1969 (see Led Zeppelin bootleg recordings
Led Zeppelin bootleg recordings
The Led Zeppelin bootleg recordings are a collection of audio and video recordings of musical performances by English rock band Led Zeppelin which were never officially released by the band, or under other legal authority. The recordings consist of both live concert performances and outtakes from...
).
Jeff Beck version
The above mentioned Jeff Beck covered the song in the 1988 film Twins. This version is faster than the Yardbirds' version, and features a beat more typical of the '80s.Dread Zeppelin
Reggae cover band Dread ZeppelinDread Zeppelin
Dread Zeppelin is an American band best known for performing the songs of Led Zeppelin in a reggae style as sung by a 300 pound Vegas Elvis impersonator. Over the years they would also perform songs originally by Elvis Presley, Bob Marley and The Yardbirds. The group toured extensively around the...
's version of the song on their album 5,000,000
5,000,000
5,000,000 is Dread Zeppelin's second full-length album. Recorded in early fall 1990, it was conceived and recorded during a three-week break from touring to support the surprisingly successful Un-Led-Ed. Produced by Jah Paul Jo and Rasta Li-Mon, the album once again featured their patented...
is heavily derived from the Led Zeppelin version, but slower, with a combination reggae and harmonica blues backdrop, as well as imitation Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
vocals.
Shakin' Stevens and The Sunsets version
Shakin' StevensShakin' Stevens
Shakin' Stevens, also known as "Shaky" is a platinum selling Welsh rock and roll singer and songwriter who holds the distinction of being the UK's biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980s . His recording and performing career began in the late 1960s, although it was not until 1980 that he saw...
And The Sunsets officially released two versions of the song. The first, produced by Dave Edmunds
Dave Edmunds
David 'Dave' Edmunds is a Welsh singer, guitarist and record producer. Although he is primarily associated with Pub rock and New Wave, and had numerous hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, his natural leaning has always been towards 1950s style rock and roll.-Early bands:As a teenager Edmunds first...
, appeared on their 1970 debut album "A Legend". A re-recorded version appeared on their eponymous 1973 LP "Shakin' Stevens And The Sunsets". In addition, the band recorded a version for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
on June 15, 1970 which was broadcast on the programme "First Gear" on August 27, 1970.
Alex Chilton version
Alex ChiltonAlex Chilton
William Alexander "Alex" Chilton was an American songwriter, guitarist, singer and producer, best known as the lead singer of the Box Tops and Big Star...
(of the Box Tops
Box Tops
The Box Tops were a Memphis rock group of the second half of the 1960s. They are best known for the hits "The Letter," "Neon Rainbow," "Soul Deep," "I Met Her in Church," and "Cry Like A Baby," and are considered a major blue-eyed soul group of the period...
and Big Star) covered the song on his 1980 album 'live in london'. He was backed by a pick up band of two members of the Soft Boys (Matthew Seligman & Morris Windsor) and one member of The Vibrators
The Vibrators
- Early career:The Vibrators were founded by Ian 'Knox' Carnochan, bassist Pat Collier, guitarist John Ellis, and drummer John 'Eddie' Edwards. They first came to public notice at the 100 Club when they backed Chris Spedding in 1976. On Spedding's recommendation, Mickie Most signed them to his...
(Ian 'Knox' Carnochan) with little rehearsal time. The set it is taken from is on the second night of their tour.
Aerosmith version
AerosmithAerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
covered the song on their second album Get Your Wings
Get Your Wings
-Side two:-Song information:Same Old Song and Dance*Built around a riff Joe Perry came up with while sitting on his amp, Steven Tyler quickly came up with the verse riff. The song appears in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock...
which was released in 1974. The song has long been played on album-oriented rock
Album-oriented rock
Album-oriented rock is an American FM radio format focusing on album tracks by rock artists.-Music played:Most radio formats are based on a select, tight rotation of hit singles...
and classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
radio stations. Additionally, the song has long been a staple in the band's live shows, often closing their shows. It is featured on three Aerosmith live compilations: Live! Bootleg (1978), Classics Live
Classics Live I and II
Classics Live and Classics Live II are a set of albums by the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, released in 1986 and 1987, respectively. Together, they constitute the band's second live offering, after Live! Bootleg...
(1986), and Rockin' the Joint
Rockin' the Joint
-Personnel:*Tom Hamilton – bass*Joey Kramer – drums, percussion*Joe Perry – guitar, backing vocals*Steven Tyler – lead vocals*Brad Whitford – guitar-Album:-External links:...
(2005
). On the Rockin' the Joint version, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford
Brad Whitford
Bradford Ernest Whitford is the rhythm guitarist for the hard rock band Aerosmith. He graduated Reading Memorial High School in 1970.-Career:...
can be heard doing a little bit of "The Star Spangled Banner" towards the end. Additionally, the band is known to play two different versions of the song, the regular version of the song, as well as a slowed-down version often called "Slow Train" in the setlists. On at least two occasions, lead singer Steven Tyler
Steven Tyler
Steven Tyler is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the frontman and lead singer of the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, in which he also plays the harmonica, and occasional piano and percussion. He is known as the "Demon of Screamin'", due to his high screams...
and guitarist Joe Perry
Joe Perry (musician)
Anthony Joseph "Joe" Perry is the lead guitarist, backing and occasional lead vocalist, and contributing songwriter for the rock band Aerosmith. He is influenced by many rock artists especially The Rolling Stones and The Beatles...
have performed the song with other artists; in 1992 with Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
and in 1995 with Page and Plant
Page and Plant
Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, both formerly of English hard rock band Led Zeppelin, recorded and toured in the mid-1990s under the title Page and Plant. The pair re-united in 1994 and, after recording a highly successful first album, they embarked on a world tour. They then recorded a second album,...
. In 2002, the whole band performed the song live with the Japanese hard rock duo B'z
B'z
is a Japanese hard rock duo, composed of and .B'z has released 45 consecutive #1 singles, 24 #1 albums, and sold more than 79 million records in Japan alone...
. A cover of Aerosmith's version appears in the music video game
Music video game
A music video game, also commonly known as a music game, is a video game where the gameplay is meaningfully and often almost entirely oriented around the player's interactions with a musical score or individual songs...
Rock Band, and the master track appears in Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is a music video game developed by Neversoft and distributed by Activision. It was released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles, with a Wii version developed by Vicarious Visions, a PlayStation 2 version by Budcat Creations and with a PC and Mac version by Aspyr Media...
as the final encore in the game.
Bob Ezrin, who was the executive producer on Get Your Wings, brought in session guitarists Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter to perform the dueling solos on this song.
Metallica version
MetallicaMetallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
helped by Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
, Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
, Joe Perry
Joe Perry (musician)
Anthony Joseph "Joe" Perry is the lead guitarist, backing and occasional lead vocalist, and contributing songwriter for the rock band Aerosmith. He is influenced by many rock artists especially The Rolling Stones and The Beatles...
(all three of which, as previously mentioned, have covered the song in the past), Flea
Flea (musician)
Michael Peter Balzary , better known by his stage name Flea, is an Australian-American musician and occasional actor. He is best known as the bassist, co-founding member, and one of the composers of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers...
(Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
), Ronnie Wood and their ex-bassist Jason Newsted
Jason Newsted
Jason Curtis Newsted is an American bassist known for his work with Metallica, Voivod and Flotsam and Jetsam. Joining Metallica in 1986 after Cliff Burton's death, Newsted remained a member until 2001, making him the band's longest-serving bassist...
covered the song in 2009
2009 in music
The following is a list of notable events and releases in 2009 in music. Susan Boyle's album I Dreamed a Dream became the biggest selling album in the world for 2009, selling 8.3 million copies in five weeks; more than any other artist's in the whole year...
following their and Beck's inductions to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
as the ceremony's "All-Star Finale" performance.
Other versions
SugarloafSugarloaf (band)
Sugarloaf was an American, Denver, Colorado based, rock and roll band in the 1970s, featuring Jerry Corbetta.Jerry Corbetta founded the band with guitarist Bob Webber of the Moonrakers; the other initial bandmembers were drummer Bob MacVittie on drums and rhythm guitarist Veeder Van Dorn III, also...
recorded this song as an instrumental for their eponymous 1970 album. Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band formed in 1979, whose most successful period came in the early 1980s. The band broke up in 1985 after the death of their drummer, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley...
cut a live recording of the track on their 1984 live album All Those Wasted Years. Motörhead covered the song on their 1977 eponymous debut album
Motörhead (album)
Motörhead is the debut album by the British heavy metal band Motörhead, released in 1977.-History:On April 1, 1977, after nearly two years of toiling in obscurity hoping for a record deal, Motörhead decided to perform their last show at the Marquee Club in London. They asked Ted Carroll, head of...
. Skid Row covered the Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
version of the song on their 1990 video Oh Say Can You Scream
Oh Say Can You Scream
Oh Say Can You Scream is a VHS video of live performances by Skid Row featuring songs from the bands self titled debut album. It was released on December 4, 1990. Running time is 100 minutes...
. The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip, often referred to simply as The Hip, is a Canadian rock band from Kingston, Ontario, consisting of Gordon Downie , Paul Langlois , Rob Baker , Gord Sinclair and Johnny Fay . Since their formation in 1983 they have released 12 studio albums, two live albums, and 46 singles...
have performed a live version of the song, which included a monologue by Gord Downie about his girlfriend writing his biography, and selling it for millions and millions of dollars. Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister is an American heavy metal band from Long Island. Musically, the band implements elements of traditional heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, along with a style that is similar to early glam metal bands...
cut a live recording of the song as a bonus track recorded in 1979 at Detroit, Portchester New York, on their 1995 live album Live at Hammersmith
Live at Hammersmith (Twisted Sister album)
Live at Hammersmith is a live album from Twisted Sister released 3 October 1994. It was recorded on 15th June 1984 at the famous Hammersmith Odeon.-CD 1:# "What You Don't Know " 4:43# "The Kids Are Back" 2:49# "Stay Hungry" 5:09...
. In Buffalo, NY, the Rogues released a version as their first single in 1966.
The Nazz
The Nazz
Nazz was a psychedelic and garage rock band from the 1960s. The band was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1967 by Todd Rundgren and Carson Van Osten...
recorded a version of this song which was unreleased until their Best Of album in 1984. Foghat
Foghat
Foghat are a British rock band that had their peak success in the mid- to late-1970s. Their style can be described as "blues-rock," or boogie-rock dominated by electric and electric slide guitar. The band has achieved five gold records...
also released a song titled "Honey Hush" with a very similar riff to that of "Train Kept A Rollin'" except that the riff was sped up and had different lyrics. It was likely based on Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio
The Rock and Roll Trio
The Rock and Roll Trio was the name of a rockabilly group which was formed in Memphis, Tennessee during the 1950s. They were also known as "Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio" and the "Johnny Burnette Trio". The members of the Trio were Dorsey Burnette, his younger brother Johnny, and a...
's version of "Honey Hush", which is the B-side of their version of "Train Kept A-Rollin". The Rock and Roll Trio's version of "Honey Hush" may have been the origin of the "Train Kept A-Rollin'" riff as portions of the riff from "Honey Hush" bear a striking similarity to it. Colin James and the Little Big Band
Colin James and the Little Big Band
Colin James and the Little Big Band is a swing-jive album by Canadian musician Colin James, released in 1993 .-Track listing:# "Cadillac Baby" – 3:12# "That's What You Do To Me" – 3:27...
recorded a version of the song on their self-titled album from 1993. The skaterock band Boneless Ones recorded a song for the third installment of the Thrasher Magazine
Thrasher magazine
Thrasher is a monthly skateboarding magazine founded in 1981 by Kevin Thatcher, Eric Swenson, and Fausto Vitello. It regularly publishes articles , skateboard photography, interviews with professional skateboarders, interviews with and reviews of musical groups, skatepark reviews, and miscellaneous...
"Skaterock" series, but the title and lyrics were altered to "The Keg Kept A' Flowin'."
Ritchie Blackmore
Ritchie Blackmore
Richard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was known as one of the first guitarists to fuse Classical music elements with rock. He fronted his own band Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple where he was unhappy because his favourite musical style wasn't adequately...
performed on the Great Lord Sutch cover which was released just prior to the Yardbirds version. Blackmore was also with Sutch when they covered Honey Hush.
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
performed the song at a January 10, 1990 charity concert they hosted at Hammersmith Odeon outside London, England to benefit Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy -- Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
joined them on stage to play lead guitar.
Irish Rockabilly-Singer Imelda May
Imelda May
Imelda Mary Higham, Clabby , known as Imelda May, is an Irish vocalist and musician. She began her career in music at 15 and released her debut album in 2005. She also plays the bodhrán and guitar...
and her Band tend to perform this number live, generally following Johnny Burnette quality's.