(Susan Blond) The Stray Cats' Lee Rocker will join the cast of the smash Broadway hit "Million Dollar Quartet" as bassist Jay Perkins in a twelve-show run from January 21st through 31st, 2011. The Broadway musical "Million Dollar Quartet" is inspired by the legendary recording sessions that took place Tuesday December 4, 1956 in the Sun Record Studios in Memphis, Tennessee.
The session was an impromptu jam among Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and additional session musicians. Rocker is set to play Carl Perkins' brother and bass player Jay Perkins. "The story is especially close to my heart," says Rocker, who was a close friend and musical collaborator of Carl Perkins up until his passing.
About Lee Rocker: Lee Rocker made his mark singing, playing, standing on, spinning and rocking his giant upright bass in the legendary music group The Stray Cats. Grammy-nominated, The Stray Cats have sold nearly 10 million albums and garnered an astounding 23 gold and platinum certified records worldwide. Founded by Rocker, Brian Setzer, and Slim Jim Phantom, The Stray Cats remain a radio staple, were music video pioneers at the infancy of MTV, and repeatedly brought rockabilly to the top of the charts.
About "Million Dollar Quartet": Inspired by the actual event, "Million Dollar Quartet" features a treasure trove of the greatest rock and roll, gospel, R&B and country hits from these musicians, including such iconic songs as "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "Sixteen Tons," "Who Do You Love?," "Great Balls of Fire," "Riders in the Sky," "I Walk the Line," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." "Million Dollar Quartet"captures the infectious spirit, freewheeling excitement and thrilling sounds of a singular moment when four of the music industry's most extraordinary talents, all in their creative prime, came together for one of the most memorable nights in music history.
On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley together. The place was Sun Records' storefront studio in Memphis. The man who made it happen was Sam Phillips, the "Father of Rock and Roll," who discovered them all. The four young musicians united for the only time in their careers for an impromptu recording that has come to be known as one of the greatest rock jam sessions of all time.
