BOYD BENNETT

Instruments: Drummer, Vocals
Date of Birth: December 7, 1924
Place of Birth: Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Bennett began performing as a drummer and singer during the 1940s. In late 1952 he signed with King Records with his Western Swing band, the Southlanders and released a minor country hit, "Time." A year later he revamped the band changing the name to the Rockets and adding R&B and blues elements to his music with the intention of gaining a younger audience. Early in 1955, Bennett and the Rockets recorded the rock & roller "Seventeen." It rocketed to number five on the pop charts, eventually becoming one of the best-selling records in the history of King Records. Not only was the original successful, but the song spawned several cover versions, making Bennett several million dollars. By the end of the 1950s Bennett realized that he was too old for the current rock & roll audience and decided to retire from performing.