From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Mon Apr 29, 2002  2:09 am  - UPDATED 6 JANUARY 2004
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Lonnie Donegan
 
LONNIE DONEGAN (By Shaun Mather)

Born Anthony James Donegan, 29 April 1931, Glasgow, Scotland
Died 3 November 2002, Peterborough

Lonnie Donegan was the greatest exponent and indeed creator of skiffle,
a DIY style of music that was an influential good time music that could
literally be played by anyone, provided you had a kitchen utensil.
Virtually all the late '50s and early '60s rock stars of British extraction,
started off in a skiffle group. None were as successful as Donegan's who
scored massive hits on both sides of the Atlantic, a feat which until then
had never been done by a Brit. His songs were a mixture of blues, folk,
novelty and even some well-crafted originals, all benefiting from exuberant
picking on acoustic guitars, double bass, washboard, jug, cuddly toy, didn't
they do well.... Following in the steps of Rock Island Line (1956), other
highlights included Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O, Cumberland Gap, Putting
On The Style, Jack O'Diamonds (all 1957) and The Grand Coolie Dam (1958).
Poor health has dogged the last couple of decades but recent times have
seen him back in the limelight with high profile tours and the critically
acclaimed Muleskinner Blues CD. Don't misjudge him from Does Your
Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour or My Old Man's A Dustman, Lonnie
Donegan was paying homage to Americas blues singers long before
Clapton and Jagger.

Recommended listening;
Talking Guitar Blues - Sequel (2cd)
The Sequel ressues with extra tracks (Showcase and Lonnie)
Website: http://www.scorpio42.freeserve.co.uk/