Born Gerald James Hall in 1937 in Yorkshire England, the future rockabilly gentleman was involved with a botched armed robbery in Southampton. But because of his youth, he got off with a light sentence, joined the merchant marines and sailed to America, where he adopted a fake identity — Jerry J. Nixon — and stayed.
By 1956 “Nixon” ended up here in Santa Fe, where he initially worked at a cardboard box and packing company. Perhaps the oppression of this factory was what led Nixon to join the Communist Party of New Mexico. Inspired by Elvis Presley, Nixon hooked up with a band playing at Atahualpa Bar & BBQ. The were initially called The Santa Fe Flames, but under Nixon’s sway, they became The Volcanoes.
Thanks for this, never heard of this guy before and interesting backstory - I'm sure I can still hear a Yorkshire twang in those vocals -Happy New Year !
@hughesrt I'm glad I could introduce you to this. Agreed about the Yorkshire twang, I didn't even realise he was British until I looked for his bio. Happy New Year to you too :)
7 Comments (since 1 Jan 2014)
music_xplosion
Born Gerald James Hall in 1937 in Yorkshire England, the future rockabilly gentleman was involved with a botched armed robbery in Southampton. But because of his youth, he got off with a light sentence, joined the merchant marines and sailed to America, where he adopted a fake identity — Jerry J. Nixon — and stayed.
music_xplosion
By 1956 “Nixon” ended up here in Santa Fe, where he initially worked at a cardboard box and packing company. Perhaps the oppression of this factory was what led Nixon to join the Communist Party of New Mexico. Inspired by Elvis Presley, Nixon hooked up with a band playing at Atahualpa Bar & BBQ. The were initially called The Santa Fe Flames, but under Nixon’s sway, they became The Volcanoes.
music_xplosion
Santa Fe businessman Leonard E. Sanchez, who managed entertainers and owned Q Studios and Quality Records, heard a Nixon and The Volcanoes gig, signed them up, made some records and toured the Southwest and even Mexico. http://steveterrell.blogspot.fr/2004/04/terrells-tune-up-my-search-for-jerry-j.html
hughesrt
Thanks for this, never heard of this guy before and interesting backstory - I'm sure I can still hear a Yorkshire twang in those vocals -Happy New Year !
music_xplosion
@hughesrt I'm glad I could introduce you to this. Agreed about the Yorkshire twang, I didn't even realise he was British until I looked for his bio. Happy New Year to you too :)
jackietheripper
I can't stop listening to it!
music_xplosion
@jackthestripper Me too! Been playing the album on repeat, I'm hooked.