From:   Flippar 
Date:  Fri Jan 18, 2002  3:09 pm
Subject:  Hargus Pig Robbins
 
HARGUS PIG ROBBINS

aka Mel Robbins

Born January 18th 1938 in Spring City Tennessee.

A childhood accident cost him his sight and he was later enrolled in the
Nashville School For The Blind where he was taught to play classical piano.
His love for the boogie woogie style which he broke into during classical
concerts lead to him leaving the school. A fellow student and songwriter
named Mary Biggs introduced him to Murray Nash. Mary, and her husband Red,
were writing and recording masters for Nash and brought Mel into the company
to work with them.

Mel decided he wanted to record some piano rock n roll after hearing Jerry
Lee`s early Sun 45s. Both Save It and Are You With Me were leased to Argo
part of the Chess group, both are dazzling piano rockers which should`ve
registered highly in the charts if there was any justice in the world. Save
It was released on UK London and would set you back a tiny fortune for the
tri centre 45. The tracks were made available on the Chess Rockabillies lp in
the mid 70s and have been reissued on cd since.

His big break came when Chet Atkins rang Nash asking if Mel could play on a
session as the hired piano man hadn`t showed. Mel went on to become one of
the Nashville sesssion scene`s most highly regarded keyboard players, playing
on thousands of sessions as well as recording his own material. He acquired
the nickname Pig and the monicker Hargus Pig Robbins adorns many an lp and
session sheet including those of his early inspiration Jerry Lee!

Mel had to reluctantly retire from sessions recently because of athritis in
his hands but those Argo 45s still sound as exciting as the first time I
heard `em!
Are You With Me?

Recommended listening
Argo 45s
London 45
Chess Rockabillies
That`ll Flat Git It 10 (Chess) Bear Family
Nashville Rock n Roll -Stompertime