Like a lot of people, my first exposure to the song "Red Hot" was through Robert Gordon's 1977 LP with Link Wray. After devouring the LP, yep, the dig was on. It didn't take long to find out that the hit version of "Red Hot" was by Billy Lee Riley (above), recorded at Sun in 1957, with Jerry Lee Lewis on piano. (Gordon's LP also featured Riley's "Flying Saucers Rock 'n' Roll".) It wasn't until years later that I found an earlier version from 1955 by Billy "The Kid" Emerson, also recorded at at Sun. His version (the original?) is a fuckin' party. This would be my cue to hep you to an excellent four CD box set that is the deal of the century. It's called "Rockin' Memphis" and that's where I first heard Emerson's version. It's all stuff recorded at Sun and most of the cuts in the set were licensed to other labels. So you're essentially getting a whole bunch of cool songs that you won't find on official Sun boxed sets. Here's the kicker: Brand new this boxed set goes for about $16! Used copies at Discogs start at eight bucks! There's 114 songs and a 56 page book of liner notes. Get off you wallets tightwads!
Here's the three versions mentioned above and another one by the Beatles recorded in their pre-fame days at the Star Club in Hamburg. Their recording isn't the greatest but you can definitely hear some fine rockabilly licks. John or George? You make the call.
Billy Lee Riley - Red Hot mp3 at Internet Archive 1957
Billy "The Kid" Emerson - Red Hot mp3 at Internet Archive 1955
Robert Gordon w/Link Wray - Red Hot (streaming) at YouTube
The Beatles - Red Hot (Live at the Star Club) (streaming) at YouTube
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