Jack Scott – Leroy

I wanted to hear some rockabilly, and that is how I ran across Canadian Jack Scott. As successful as he was, I’m surprised he is not known more.

He was born, Giovanni Domenico Scafone Jr., in Windsor, Ontario, in 1936. Scott grew up straddling the border between Detroit and Canada. That location shaped his sound. He was influenced by gospel, country, R&B, and the raw early rock, blending them into a voice and style that didn’t quite fit into any one style or box. By the late 1950s, he was producing records that rivaled those of Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent, and Roy Orbison.

Jack Scott released 19 singles that charted on the U.S. Billboard 100 between 1958 and 1961, which was a remarkable number for the era. This was more U.S. singles in a shorter time than any other recording artist, except for The Beatles. Again, it looks like he would be more well-known.  

Scott’s chart success slowed down after the early ’60s, but he never stopped performing. He returned to country music in the 1970s and maintained a loyal fan base in rockabilly revival circles in Europe and North America. Today, he’s remembered as Canada’s first true rock ’n’ roll star, a bridge between rockabilly, country, and pop, and an artist whose influence can still be heard in roots rock.

This song came out in 1958, and it peaked at #11 on the Billboard 100 and #15 in Canada. I’m including another song called Goodbye Baby that peaked at #8 on the Billboard 100 and #3 in Canada. 

Leroy

I know a boy who was never blueNow he lives in cellblock twoI don’t know just why he’s blue…… leroy… whatd you do

Leroys back in jail again -2-I don’t know why, why he’s blue…… leroy… whatd you do

Went to the judge, dig man wailI’m here and I got leroys bailJudge said son, don’tcha tell me no tale…… leroy, he’s gonna stay in jail

Now, leroy says man, you tried the bestMan, I’m here gonna take a rest.I’ve seen minny, she’s got the blues…… she let you wear my long pointed shoes

Now, leroys heart is a bowl of hateLeroy, he just can’t go straightTell my minny, I can’t keep my date…… I’m gonna be bout six months late

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

34 thoughts on “Jack Scott – Leroy”

    1. Isn’t it strange that he isn’t more well known? The man was really successful. CB passed him along. I can’t believe I haven’t ran across him before.

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  3. Pingback: Jack Scott – Leroy – MobsterTiger

  4. I read that Paul Anka was Canadia’s first rock star. While both artists started their professional careers in 1957, Scott was active with his band, the Southern Drifters, and making early recordings before Anka had his breakout single Diana. 

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      1. Max, you never have to apologize to me for missing any of my posts, and I know you feel obligated to reciprocate with the bloggers that follow your posts, but I write for my own enjoyment, and I visit your blog for the same reason.

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    1. Yea man…it surprised me a lot! Being that successful in those 3 years…thats almost domination…he has a lot of fun rockabilly. You would think he would be known more here as well. Keith knew him.

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    1. Man…I’m just mystified why this guy isn’t well known. I never heard of him and he had a lot of success..but I love his stuff…it’s all over the place so he dipped into different things which is cool.

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      2. I’ve noticed that about that group of fans. How they treated the 80s rockabilly acts…not just the Stray Cats, but the ones that didn’t get heard. They are still listening to those bands.

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  7. I’ve not heard of him before. Another regional based act that never seems to have taken off big time.

    He should be asking the Glimmer Twins for some cash- the hook line to ‘Claudine’ is blatantly obvious here/hear.

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