You Are At: AllSands Home > History > People > Carl Perkins
biography Carl Perkins was one of the hottest rock and roll acts
in the U.S. in the 1950s and 1960s. Born in Tiptonville,
Tennessee, he was taught to play the guitar by a neighbor with
whom he picked cotton. He began playing at the age of 7 on a
guitar made from a cigar box, a broomstick, and baling wire.
Perkins was heavily influenced by country music and rhythm and
blues and was one of the first musicians to play lead guitar and
sing simultaneously. He wrote and recorded "Blue Suede Shoes"
which won him a gold record and which Elvis Presley made famous.
His career was stunted by an automobile accident which nearly
killed him. Perkins struggled for years with alcoholism, finally
giving up the bottle at the age of 35. Perkins was inducted into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is known as one of the
fathers of rock and roll.   1932 He was born in Tiptonville,
Tennessee. (April 9)  1954 He signed a contract with Sun
Records.  1956 He wrote and record