From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Sat Aug 17, 2002  1:58 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Don Cole
 
DON COLE (By Jean-Marc Pezet)

Born Wardell Donald Cole, 17 August 1942, Phoenix, Arizona
Died 15 September 1977, Glendale, Arizona

Don Cole's claim to fame lies in the often re-issued rockabilly semi-classic,
cut in a garage in Glendale, AZ, with Al Casey, and produced by no less
than Lee Hazelwood himself, "Snake Eyed Mama".
Don Cole was forced to turn pro at a very early age in order to support his
mother and family. He recorded by day and played the clubs by night.
Following his first single "Snake Eyed Mama" in 1957 for Modern, he
recorded "Sweet Lovin Honey" / "Saturday Night Party Time" for
Modern's Kent label in 1958. Lee Hazelwood then had found another
protégé in Duane Eddy and left Modern Records.
A prolific guitarist, he was frequently called to fill in sessions when Al
Casey couldn't attend, and as such recorded a lot under different group
names (The Gigolos, The Hawks, The Tiaras). He was also part, with
Phoenix fellow Rusty Isabell, of The Rio Rockers, who had "Mexicali
Baby"/"Mexican Rock'n'Roll" on Capitol. Under the name Tony Castle, he
recorded two instrumental singles in the Duane Eddy vein, in 1961.
He continued recording in the 60s for different labels such as Coed, Guyden
and Tollie, but personal abuses led to an untimely death in 1977, aged only
35.

The notes to "Rockin' And Boppin' In The Desert Arizona Rockabilly Vol 1"
state that Bear Family have released a single CD by Don Cole, but it has
yet to appear at this time of writing.

Check discography at:
http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/artists/c/cole2100.htm

Recommended listening:
"Long Gone Daddies" Ace CDCHD 768
"Rockin' And Boppin' In The Desert - Arizona Rockabilly Vol 1" Bear Family
BCD 16230
AL CASEY "A Man For All Seasons" Bear Family BCD 16579
"Porter Records Story" Bear Family BCD 16272