Guest,

Working from memory here. I also have Chuck Willis's 45 of C.C. Rider. 1956, or possibly 1957 would be the correct date. I have a handwritten note somewhere that says Willis's real first name was Harold. I have no idea where I learned that - my note is about as old as the record. Chuck Willis was an R&B singer who enjoyed a somewhat successful, but brief career in the mid-late '50's, cut short by an early death - complications of surgery, I think. He was probably in his thirties at the time of his death. I have another recording by him titled "It's Too Late" (flip side - "Kansas City Woman")recorded a few months - or a year - before C. C. Rider. Finally he had a posthumous hit with the ironic title "What Am I Living For" (flip side, the equally ironic "Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes."), released sometime in 1958, I think.

Willis recorded for the Atlantic label which was one of the more successful R&B labels of that era - run by a gentleman named Jerry Wexler, I believe. Their output was a bit more polished than many of the other R&B labels of the time.

This is fascinating. I think I'll do a bit more research. If I turn up anything really interesting I'll post it.

Regards,
John