Title: Rock Island Line

Artist: Lonnie Donegan

Publisher: Hollis Music Inc.

Copyright/Release Date: 1956

Condition: Good, with a vertical line of discoloration on the inside left page which does not penetrate to the front or elsewhere.

Comments: "Rock Island Line" is an American folk song. Ostensibly about the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, it appeared as a folk song as early as 1929. The first recorded performance of "Rock Island Line" was by inmates of the Arkansas Cummins State Farm prison in 1934. Lonnie Donegan's recording, released as a single in late 1955, signaled the start of the UK skiffle craze. This recording featured Donegan, Chris Barber on double bass and Beryl Bryden on washboard. The Acoustic Music organization makes this comment about Donegan's version. "It flew up the English charts. Donegan had synthesized American Southern Blues with simple acoustic instruments: acoustic guitar, washtub bass and washboard rhythm. The new style was called 'Skiffle' and referred to music from people with little money for instruments. The new style captivated an entire generation of post-war youth in England."