Lew performs at Rockin’ 50’s Fest II in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Another gigantic six-day ’50s rock ‘n’ roll extravaganza was held at the Oneida Casino in Green Bay, Wisconsin on April 11-16, 2005.  Like the first Rockin’ 50’s Fest in 2002, this event also had over 120 current and original artists from the ’50s on the bill.

Lew was one of only nine original artists from the ’50s who performed at the show in 2002 that appeared at this second event.

His show was on Friday, April 15th, at 5:45 p.m.  Lew was backed by The Barnshakers from Finland.

The other returning original ’50s artists from the 2002 show were:  Narvel Felts, Sonny Burgess, The Crickets, Janis Martin, Dale Hawkins, Glen Glenn, The Original Comets and Young Jessie.

In addition to these, the ’50s artists who appeared included:  Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Cavallo, Rayburn Anthony, Terry Noland, The Cleftones, Art Adams, Wanda Jackson, Glenn Honeycutt, Bobby Crown, Hardrock Gunter, Ike Turner, Pat Cupp, Bob Will’s Texas Playboys, The Teenagers, Teddy Riedel, Eddie “The Chief” Clearwater, Roc Larue, Clarence “Frogman” Henry, Ray Sharpe, Hank Thompson, The Calvanes, Charlie Louvin, Link Wray, Joe Bennett & The Sparkletones and Ace Cannon.

On stage at Summer Jamboree in Italy!

Lew made his first appearance in Italy as one of three U.S. headliners for the fifth annual Summer Jamboree, held August 16 – 22, 2004 in the beautiful seacoast town of Senigallia,

His show was on Saturday night, August 21st.  Backed by the Barnstompers from the Netherlands.  Two saxes, a steel guitar and vocal chorus joined the group on stage for a couple of numbers. 

Jimmy Cavallo was the headliner on Friday night and Bill Haley’s Original Comets headlined on Sunday night.

The international line-up for the week long event included:  Pep Torres (U.S.)  Whistle Bait (Finland), The Good Fellas (Italy), The Tinstars (Netherlands), King Louie Combo (Switzerland), Hot Potatoes (Italy), I Belli D Waikki (Italy), Cadillac Angels (U.S.), Lil’ Esther (Netherlands), Ocean Seven (U.K.), Annita & the Starbombers (Netherlands), Lynette Morgan & the Blackwater Valley Boys (U.K.), Nu Niles (Spain), Spootniks (Russia), Blue Willies (Italy), Red Hot Lava (Italy) and via satellite, Tim Knuckey (Australia).

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Lew appears at Rockin’ 50’s Fest

The Rockin’ 50’s Fest, the biggest ’50s rock ‘n’ roll show in history, was staged at the Oneida Casino, in Green Bay Wisconsin, during the entire week of July 7 – 13, 2002.

Lew’s appearance was on the Three Clans Ballroom stage at 7:00 on Tuesday night , July 9th.  He was backed by an all-star line-up:  Ashley Kingman (guitar), Carl Sonny Leyland (piano), Bobby Trimble (drums) and  Shorty Pool (bass).  This is the same group which backed him at Viva Las Vegas in 2000.  Jon Doyle (sax) and Jimmy Roy (steel guitar) joined the group for one song.

Over 120 current and original ‘50s acts appeared during the seven-day event.  In addition to Lew, other original 50’s acts included Bobby Caraway, Huelyn Du Vall, Mac Curtis, Glen Glenn, The Treniers, Sonny Burgess, The Collins Kids, Gene Summers, Alvis Wayne, Sid King, Jimmy McCrackin, Sanford Clark, Dale Hawkins, Narvel Felts, Charlie Gracie, Sleepy LaBeef, Larry Donn, Jack Earls, Vernon Taylor, Hayden Thompson, Billy Lee Riley, Jack Scott, Robert Gordon, Billy Adams, Ray Campi, Eddie Bond, Big Al Downing, The Crickets, The Comets, Marvin Rainwater, Johnny Powers, Ersel Hickey, Paul Burleson, DJ Fontana, Rudy Grayzell, Sonny West, Janis Martin, High Noon, Ronnie Dawson. Joe Clay and Young Jessie.

The MC for Lew’s performance was Robert (Big Sandy) Williams.

Four of the show’s current acts had recorded Lew’s songs:  Whistle Bait (Finland), Ray Condo (Canada), Restless (U.K.) and the Blacktop Rockets (U.S.)

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Rockin’ 50’s Fest Reviews

Now Dig This, September 2002
Seven Days to Rock

Green Bay Wisconsin, July 7th – 13th, Rockin’ 50’s Fest

“. . . never seen him better.”

Lew Williams – again, never seen him better.  A very animated performance.

Tony Wilkinson

Blue Suede News, Fall 2002
Green Bay Rockin’ Fifties Week
Oneida Casino July 7-13

“. . .  his own style and we dig it the most!”

Lew Williamswith his cool Texas Bop and jive talk was a hip cat right down to the dyed pink tie and two tone shoes. “Abracadabra” was magic but the song everybody’s been waiting for was the jazzy “Cat Talk” and the dance floor was swinging with boppin’ fans.  Sounded great with Ashley Kingman and Sonny Leyland’s help.  Lew sure has his own style and we dig it the most!

Gaby Maag-Bristol

American Music Magazine, December 2002
Green Bay – Seven Days to Rock. . .
Rockin’ 50’s Fest, Oneida Casino, Green Bay,
Wisconsin, 7th – 13th July 2002

“I wanted more.”

Lew Williams had to follow [Sanford Clark] and did a great job.  He has a unique styling and this was the most animated that I have seen him.  He was simply a joy to watch as he jerkingly sang ‘Bop Bop Ba Doo Bop’ (twice), ‘Don’t Mention My Name,’ ‘I’ll Pay Your Game,’ ‘Abracadabra,’ ‘Gone Ape Man,’ a marvelous ‘Centipede’ and ‘Something I Said.’  A steel guitar and sax were added for a truly enhanced ‘Teenagers Talkin’ on the Telephone.’  In this set, Lew also served up a melodic ‘I Saw You Crying in the Show’ and the classic ‘Cat Talk’ (twice).  I wanted more.

Tony Wilkinson

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Hemsby 28 is Lew’s second European appearance.

Lew made his second European appearance at Hemsby 28, held May 7 – 13, 2002.  His show was at 10:00 on Saturday, May 11, backed by the Rimshots.

The event featured seven of the first generation ’50s rockers from the U.S.  In addition to Lew, the bill included Narvel Felts, Teddy Redell, Sonny West, Alvis Wayne, Matt Lucas and Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs..

The star-studded show also featured Nick Willett (U.S.), The Hoedowners (Finland), Sophie Garner & the Swing Kings (U.K.), The Tinstars (Holland), Lynette Morgan (U.K.), the Black Water Valley Boys (U.K.), The Seat Sniffers (Belgium), Hot Rockin’ (U.K.), Wildfire Willie & the Ramblers (Sweden), Ian Calford & the Brakemen (U.K.), The Rimshots (Wales), Gene Gambler & the Shufflers (Wales), The Sugar Creek Trio (U.K.) and The Swing Kings (U.K.)

Hemsby 28 was held at The Pontins Holiday Centre, Hemsby, England

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Hemsby 28 Reviews

Now Dig This, July 2002
The 28th Hemsby Rock n Roll Weekend

“His songs are all unusual. . . ”

His songs are all unusual and contain almost a jazzy feel to them.  . . .he rocked his way through “Bop Bop Ba Doo Bop.” “Abracadabra.” “Gone Ape Man,” and an effective version of “Something I Said.”  . . . swinging “Teenagers Talkin” on the Telephone,”. . .  Naturally it was “Cat Talk,” which he is best known for and which he ended up singing three times as the climax of an act which was certainly enjoyable. . .

Ian Wallis

American Music Magazine, September 2002
The Best Hemsby Yet?

“He certainly is different and totally authentic.”

Then came the unique talent that is Lew Williams, backed up by The Rimshots.  As one has come to expect, Lew’s performance is based on his original song stylings that he cut for Flair, Imperial and Hamilton in the fifties.  Impeccably dressed and looking a young 68, it was straight into ‘Bop Bop Ba Doo Bop’ followed by ‘Don’t Mention My Name’ and ‘I’ll Play Your Game.’  This was Texas rock ‘n’ roll colliding head on with jive talk. . . With short jerky movements he followed with the classic ‘Abracadabra,’ the great ‘Teenagers Talkin’ on the Telephone’ and the beat balladry of ‘I Saw You Crying in the Show.’  Lew was performing one number after another as he served up ‘Centipede,‘ Gone Ape Man,’ ‘Something I Said,’ and the classic ‘Cat Talk.’  The enjoyable set closed out with two more readings of ‘Cat Talk,’ and further versions of ‘Something I Said’ and ‘Teenagers Talkin’ on the Telephone.’  He certainly is different and totally authentic.

Tony Wilkinson 

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Lew's first European appearance at Rockabilly Rave

Lew made his first European appearance at the Rockabilly Rave 5th Birthday Special, March 2 - 5, 2001, in England. He performed on Saturday night, March 3rd, backed by the Rimshots, from Wales, one of Europe's hottest rockabilly bands.

Rockabilly Rave is an international weekender, featuring rockabilly artists from 10 countries.

In addition to Lew and the Rimshots, other acts included Sonny Rogers and the Kingpins (Sweden), Cave Cat Sammy (USA), The Flatfoot Shakers (Australia), Ruby Ann and the Boppin Boozers (Portugal), The Skiprats (England), Skinny Jim and the Wildcats (Sweden), Number 9 (England), The Rockin' 8 Balls (Finland), High Voltage (Scotland), The Spootniks (Russia), Casey Sisters with the Saltlake Stompers (USA) and The Roundup Boys (Germany).

The weekender was held at Pontins Holiday Centre, Camber Sands, England.

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Rockabilly Rave 5 Review

Now Dig This, April 2001
Scene Alive

Lew Williams
Rockabilly Rave
March 3rd, 2001

“. . . the crowd loved him. . . ”

. . . The crowd at the Rave was. . . very familiar with the old Imperial sides, which have been played consistently down through the years by a succession of club DJs.  Lew came on stage smartly attired in a white jacket and pink tie, a slim dapper figure. . . the audience loved him and were cheering enthusiastically and punching the air at the conclusion of each number. . . His show consisted of ‘Bop Bop Ba Doo Bop,’ ‘Centipede,’ ‘Something I Said,’ ‘Gone Ape Man,’ ‘Abracadabra’ and, of course, ‘Cat Talk.’. . . he did return for a further nine minutes of encores. . .  the audience was more than happy with his performance.  He has some strong rockabilly material to work with. . .  he has every reason to be pleased with the very positive response that he received.  Lew has given his fans a welcome taste of his own unique brand of rockabilly, and they sure liked what they heard.

Ian Hawkins

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Lew performs at Viva Las Vegas. . .
on stage again after 41 years!

Lew appeared at Viva Las Vegas 2000 on Saturday night, April 22nd in the Ballroom of the Gold Coast Hotel. This was his first major audience appearance in 41 years.

He did all the songs he's remembered for: Cat Talk, Bob Bop Ba Doo Bop, Centipede, Something I Said, Gone Ape Man, and Abracadabra.

Lew was backed by some of the best rockabilly musicians worldwide: Ashley Kingman on guitar, Carl "Sonny" Leyland on piano, Shorty Poole on base and Bobby Trimble on drums. Robert Williams (Big Sandy) was the MC.

Three weeks earlier, in preparation for Viva Las Vegas, Lew appeared on a show with Gene Summers in Dallas as a benefit to raise funds for community radio station KNON 98.3 FM — the only station in Dallas with a regularly scheduled rockabilly show. And on April 16th he performed at a Viva Las Vegas send off party at the Bar of Soap in Dallas. On each of these events he was back by JMAC and the Hockshop Hepcats.

Prior to these performances, the last time Lew appeared on stage was 41 years ago at an event in Dallas with Vince Murphy and the Catalinas.

Music Trivia Buffs Take Note:
Music History Was Made at Viva Las Vegas 2000

Fans attending Viva Las Vegas 2000 were part of music history being made.

Lew first recorded his song, Something I Said, on Imperial Records in 1956. Ray Condo, from Canada, recorded Something I Said in 1996 — 40 years after the original record was released (Joaquin Records CD, Swing Brother Swing).

Ray did Something I Said as the finale to his show on Thursday night, April 20th. Lew also sang it during his appearance Saturday night, April 22nd.

This was the first time an original artist/writer, and a recording artist who 40 years later covered a song, have appeared at the same international rockabilly event — each performing his own version of the tune. The show was held 44 years after the first record of Something I Said was released.

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Viva Las Vegas 2000 Reviews

Now Dig This and American Music Magazine
Viva Las Vegas

by Tony Wilkinson

. . . Lew Williams stepped onto the stage, his first appearance in 41 years! . . . he started with "Bop Bop Ba Doo Bop", "Centipede", "Gone Ape Man" and "Something I Said". . . he got great response to "Cat Talk" and "Abracadabra". But then after a reprise of "Cat Talk", it was all over — far too brief a set but immensely enjoyable. . . The voice is still there and give Lew a few more live performances and he'll be a force to be reckoned with.

 

Blue Suede News
The Real Thing — Viva Las Vegas 2000

By "Buckle" Bob Hover

Lew Williams' performance at Viva Las Vegas was the beginning of a comeback after not preforming for 40 years. It's amazing that Lew still sounded the same and breezed through a wonderful set that included his Imperial recordings of "Cat Talk", "Bop Bop Ba Doo Bop" and "Centipede". Ray Condo has even paid homage to Lew by recording "Something I Said" twice. . .

 

Real Gone Racket
A Real Gone Review

By Cousin Earl

. . . The best thing I experienced the whole weekend would have to be Lew Williams returning to the stage for the first time in 40 years. He re-introduced all us young kids to his style of Cat music, and did it as if he had never stopped. Its a great thing to see the originals who created the music be appreciated and given the credit they deserve. . .

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