W. S. Holland
Encyclopedia
W. S. "Fluke" Holland is a drummer
who worked extensively with numerous rock and roll
musicians, beginning with Carl Perkins
, but became well known as the drummer in singer Johnny Cash
's succession of backing bands: The Tennessee Three
, The Great Eighties Eight, and The Johnny Cash Show Band. Holland played drums on the 1955 Sun Records
recording of "Blue Suede Shoes
" by Perkins, the song's writer and original performer.
Holland earned the nickname Fluke while working at a filling station. He would use "fluke" as a slang term to replace other nouns. For example, "look at that car," became "look at that fluke." The owner of the station began calling Holland "Fluke" and the nickname stuck. A common, yet understandable, misconception is that Holland earned the nickname "Fluke" because of his improbable entry into the music industry. At the time he made his first recording for Sun Records, he had played the drums just once before. A major break came with his performance on Perkins' recording of "Blue Suede Shoes". In the months to follow, Holland pioneered the use of drums in rock and roll music, well before Elvis Presley
began touring with a drummer.
Holland went on to perform on the "Million Dollar Quartet
" session that featured Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis
, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. Holland's contribution to rock and roll has been recognized by several respected drummers, including Ringo Starr
of The Beatles
, as being a major influence in their careers. In 1960, Holland joined Johnny Cash as a touring and recording artist and is heard on many of Cash's most famous songs, including "Ring of Fire
." It is reported that Johnny Cash said to him, "I want you to work with me every show I play for as long as I'm in the business," which ended up being the case.
Holland appeared with the Carl Perkins band in the 1957 rock and roll movie Jamboree, performing "Glad All Over
."
Today, Holland heads up the "Ultimate Johnny Cash Tribute Show" with Cash tribute artist Frank Hamilton & The New Tennessee Three. The tribute tours nationally and recently released their first CD entitled, "One More Time."
Holland's contribution to rock and roll and the signature sound of Johnny Cash's Tennessee 3 has earned him recognition the world over as a true American music pioneer. He continues to influence musicians and music artists internationally.
Holland was portrayed by Clay Steakley in the 2005 movie Walk the Line
.
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
who worked extensively with numerous 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...
musicians, beginning with Carl Perkins
Carl Perkins
Carl Lee Perkins was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954...
, but became well known as the drummer in singer Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
's succession of backing bands: The Tennessee Three
Tennessee Three
The Tennessee Three was the backing band for country music and rockabilly singer Johnny Cash for nearly 25 years, until Cash's reorganizing of the group and naming it The Great Eighties Eight in 1980....
, The Great Eighties Eight, and The Johnny Cash Show Band. Holland played drums on the 1955 Sun Records
Sun Records
Sun Records is a record label founded in Memphis, Tennessee, starting operations on March 27, 1952.Founded by Sam Phillips, Sun Records was known for giving notable musicians such as Elvis Presley , Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash...
recording of "Blue Suede Shoes
Blue Suede Shoes
"Blue Suede Shoes" is a rock and roll standard written and first recorded by Carl Perkins in 1955 and is considered one of the first rockabilly records and incorporated elements of blues, country and pop music of the time...
" by Perkins, the song's writer and original performer.
Holland earned the nickname Fluke while working at a filling station. He would use "fluke" as a slang term to replace other nouns. For example, "look at that car," became "look at that fluke." The owner of the station began calling Holland "Fluke" and the nickname stuck. A common, yet understandable, misconception is that Holland earned the nickname "Fluke" because of his improbable entry into the music industry. At the time he made his first recording for Sun Records, he had played the drums just once before. A major break came with his performance on Perkins' recording of "Blue Suede Shoes". In the months to follow, Holland pioneered the use of drums in rock and roll music, well before 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"....
began touring with a drummer.
Holland went on to perform on the "Million Dollar Quartet
Million Dollar Quartet
"Million Dollar Quartet" is the name given to recordings made on Tuesday December 4, 1956 in the Sun Record Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. The recordings were of an impromptu jam session among Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. It was arguably the first...
" session that featured Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry 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...
, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. Holland's contribution to rock and roll has been recognized by several respected drummers, including Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, as being a major influence in their careers. In 1960, Holland joined Johnny Cash as a touring and recording artist and is heard on many of Cash's most famous songs, including "Ring of Fire
Ring of Fire (song)
"Ring of Fire" or "The Ring of Fire" is a country music song popularized by Johnny Cash and co-written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore. The single appears on Cash's 1963 compilation album, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash...
." It is reported that Johnny Cash said to him, "I want you to work with me every show I play for as long as I'm in the business," which ended up being the case.
Holland appeared with the Carl Perkins band in the 1957 rock and roll movie Jamboree, performing "Glad All Over
Glad All Over (Carl Perkins song)
"Glad All Over" is a song written by Aaron Schroeder, Sid Tepper, and Roy Bennett and recorded by rockabilly artist Carl Perkins, "The Rockin' Guitar Man", at Sun Records in 1957. It was released as a 45 and 78 single on January 6, 1958...
."
Today, Holland heads up the "Ultimate Johnny Cash Tribute Show" with Cash tribute artist Frank Hamilton & The New Tennessee Three. The tribute tours nationally and recently released their first CD entitled, "One More Time."
Holland's contribution to rock and roll and the signature sound of Johnny Cash's Tennessee 3 has earned him recognition the world over as a true American music pioneer. He continues to influence musicians and music artists internationally.
Holland was portrayed by Clay Steakley in the 2005 movie Walk the Line
Walk the Line
Walk the Line is a 2005 American biographical drama film directed by James Mangold and based on the early life and career of country music artist Johnny Cash...
.