Major Holley

[Jazzjet]

I'm reading a book by Pete Frame ( of Rock Family Trees fame ) called The Restless Generation, about the growth of the British rock and pop scene in the 1950s ( well worth a read by the way ). Anyway, one piece of trivia that had escaped me until now was that bassist Major Holley, who featured on one of my all-time favourite jazz albums - Midnight Blue by Kenny Burrell - also played on 'Rock With The Cavemen' by Tommy Steele. Steele was possibly the first British rock star and, in his way, as influential as Lonnie Donegan. 'Rock With The Cavemen' was a piece of fluff really but probably qualifies as the first British rock n' roll record. I think I knew that Ronnie Scott played sax on the record but I had no idea about Major Holley. Funny old world innit?

[Christiern]

I hope the book mentions the role Holley played in Aretha's early career.

[Jazzjet]

I hope the book mentions the role Holley played in Aretha's early career.

No it doesn't, given the subject matter of the book. What part did he play?