CHARLIE RYAN
Charlie Ryan (December 19, 1915 in Graceville, Minnesota – February 16, 2008 in Spokane, Washington) was an American singer and songwriter, best known for co-writing and first recording the rockabilly hit single “Hot Rod Lincoln”. (More from Wikipedia)
The lyrics in the song are among the densest in popular music; the Charlie Ryan original version of “Hot Rod Lincoln” runs for 13 verses.
The original song “Hot Rod Race” is largely forgotten today, but “Hot Rod Lincoln” has shown up in all kinds of places over the years. The song was written and first recorded in 1955 by Charlie Ryan (who had also recorded a version of “Hot Rod Race”); he actually owned a “hot rod Lincoln” as described in the song: a shortened 1948 Lincoln chassis with a 12-cylinder engine that had the body of a 1930 Model A Ford. The Johnny Bond hit that I have talks about 8 cylinders rather than the 12 in the original song.
(December 2014)
