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Jimmie F. Rodgers (1933–2021), early rock and roll star who sang “Honeycomb”

by Linnea Crowther

Jimmie F. Rodgers was an early rock and roll star who had a No. 1 hit in 1957 with “Honeycomb.”

1950s and ‘60s hits

After serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, Rodgers appeared on the popular TV program “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts,” winning a cash prize and boosting his burgeoning musical career. The young singer and guitarist recorded a version of the 1954 pop single “Honeycomb,” and his 1957 cover became a hit, soaring to No. 1 and staying there for a month. His subsequent 1950s hits include “Kisses Sweeter than Wine,” “Oh-Oh, I’m Falling in Love Again,” and “Secretly.” While the peak of Rodgers’ career came in the ‘50s, he would chart a few songs in later decades, including “No One Will Ever Know” (1962), “It’s Over” (1966), and “A Good Woman Likes to Drink With the Boys” (1967). “It’s Over,” written by Rodgers, was later recorded by Elvis Presley (1935–1977) for his “Aloha from Hawaii” concert.

Rodgers on the early rock and roll days

“[I] did 5 shows a day at the Paramount in Brooklyn. We’d start out at 9 a.m. and they’d show a movie. Then, we’d do a show. Then they’d show a movie and we would do a show. We stayed in there all day ’cause we couldn’t get out. The kids would be outside by the thousands. You couldn’t get out of the theatre. They’d rip your clothes off.” —from an interview with Gary James for ClassicBands.com

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