From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Mon Oct 21, 2002  1:04 am - UPDATED 6 JANUARY 2004
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Andy Starr
 
ANDY STARR (By Jean-Marc Pezet)

Born Franklin Delano Gulledge, 21 October 1932, Mill Creek, Arkansas
Died 12 September 2003, Elkins, AK

Andy Starr was named after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. His father,
Grover Cleveland Gulledge was carrying the family tradition, being himself
named after the 22nd President of the U.S. of A.

Frank had a tough and rough youth in poverty, dropping out of school at
14. He was later recruited and served in Korea for 2 years in the Special
Services, because he played guitar, and formed his first band there.
Back from the Army, he worked in a factory with his brothers in Kansas
before they moved to California, reforming another band where he played
lead guitar. When the brothers proved to be less serious about music, Frank
headed to Texas, playing small beer joints and tough clubs around Texas and
Oklahoma, often using the jukebox to protect himself from flying fists and
airborn bottles.

After securing his own daily radio show in Denison, TX, he approached Joe
Leonard, of Lin Records in Gainesville, TX. The first session took place in
early 1955, producing the nice country rocker "Dig Them Squeaky Shoes",
coupled with "The Dirty Bird Song". Whilst not a hit, the single opened
doors for him. Another single appeared, along with 2 unissued tracks that
were later released by Rollin' Rock in the 1970s.

After changing his first name to Andy (to avoid conflict with country
Frankie Starr), revelation came when he shared the stage with Elvis Presley
in Gainesville in 1955.

An astute businessman, Joe Leonard knew that the record companies were
looking for their own "Elvis" and saw a promising future for Andy. He tried
to emulate Sam Phillips in placing his protégé with a major company and
through the Aberbachs, placed Andy at MGM.

The first 1956 release on MGM was the great classic "Rockin' Rollin' Stone"
b/w "I Wanna Go South", both penned by Andy himself. The former, a "Good
Rockin' Tonight"- sounding record with strong guitar and slapped bass, had
everything to become a hit, but failed. Followed "She's A Going Jessie b/w
"Old Deacon Jones", "Give Me A Woman" b/w "Round And Round" and "No
Room For Your Kind" b/w One More Time".

Above all, "Give Me A Woman" is an atmospheric mid-tempo ditty, backed by
The Strikes (who had their records placed on Imperial, and covered by Ricky
Nelson). It was to become Andy's most successful MGM side. (It was also
covered by The Cramps who gave a new lease of life to the song in 1986).

With the commercial failure of the MGM singles, Andy kept his radio show in
Wallace, Idaho and 1957 saw a one-off release on Kapp.

Andy then made the move up north to Alaska, staying for 5 years, including
strip in his act (!) and with the occasional trip to record, still for Joe
Leonard, he had releases on Holiday Inn and Lin.

In 1965, Andy paused in Hollywood, but had to take some rest after years of
stress problems and debauchery. Back in Idaho, he worked in a sawmill,
released country records, and then got religion, recording LPs with lifers
in prison, along with X-rated cassettes.

Now known as "The Ultimate Rebel", Andy has also a hand in politics, running
for Idaho State Senator in 1974 and for President in 1976, 1992 and 1996.

To the best of my knowledge, he still has never appeared in Europe, despite
tries from European agents.

Andy Starr's MGM sides are essential to any collection. They are among the
best rockabilly records ever laid down.

More info (by our own Shaun): http://www.rockabillyhall.com/AndyStarr.html

Recommended listening:
"Dig Them Squeaky Shoes" - Bear Family BCD 15845 (all the MGM, Lin,
Kapp and Holiday Inn sides)

Sorry, I don't have any references for video tapes......:-))