News
Welcome to the all-new official website for the King of Skiffle, Lonnie Donegan. It will be updated regularly, so please check back often.!
Lonnie Donegan MBE (April 29, 1931 - November 4, 2002 ), the King of Skiffle and 'first real British pop superstar' shot to fame in 1956, when Rock Island Line sold an unprecedented 3 million copies, shooting into the British and American top ten. Britain had never heard anything like it and youngsters were hooked.
'We all bought guitars to be in a skiffle group. (Lonnie) was the man.'
- Paul McCartney
01/06/07 - 'Rock Island Line' in MOJO Magazine's '100 Records That Changed the World'
Lonnie's 1955 breakthrough hit 'Rock Island Line' has been voted #38 in MOJO Magazine's '100 Records That Changed the World' poll, by a cross-selection of prominent rock and roll musicians. It lies ahead of the likes of The Beatles' 'Revolver', Bruce Spingsteen's 'Born to Run' and The Who's 'My Generation':
Leadbelly goes skiffle. And British rock'n'roll is born.
Writes Joe Brown: ' The skiffle phenomenon started with Rock Island Line. Before that, kids never had their own music, it was all big bands in white suits. Rock Island Line starts with a guy talking about this railway line that 'runs down to New Orleans' - which was strange - then when he picks up speed, me and my mates are picking up speed too, thrashing away on our banjos, so excited.
Lonnie was a great vocal phraser, he swung from the off. But he brought us something we could all play. Home-made music.
The Beatles started as a Skiffle group. Clapton, Mark Knopfler... they'd say how Lonnie influenced them. I felt really qualified to do Rock Island Line and John Henry because I was a British Rail Fireman.'
Courtesy of MOJO Magazine.
01/06/07 - The Jubille Concert (1st Half): Available NOW on CD for the first time!
The long awaited re-release of the first half of the concert of Lonnie Donegan at the Fairfield Hall on 5th June 1981.
The second half is coming out in autumn 2007 - watch this space!
Featuring: Ken Colyer / Pat Halcox / Chris Barber / Monty Sunshine / Jim Bray / Ron Bowden / Bill Colyer.
Tracks: Lonnie Introduction - Ace in the Hole - Isle of Capri - Going Home - Shine - Jenny's Ball - One Sweet Letter from You - Hush-a-Bye - Bugle Boy March - Chris Barber Chat - Ice Cream - Lonnie's Introduction to Skiffle Band - John Henry - Take this Hammer - Railroad Bill
01/06/07 - The Last Tour: Out now on CD from Upbeat Records
Superb 'live' collectors CD of Lonnie's last tour recorded in October 2002 - Lonnie was on excellent form on what was to be his last tour. Features bonus tracks from his son Peter Donegan, who played piano on the last tour, and is continuing his father's legacy.
Includes liner notes from the Donegan family - a unique 'must' for all fans.
Tracks: Ol' Riley - Get Off This Feelin' - Battle Of New Orleans - Rocks In My Bed - Corrine,Corrina - Rock Island Line - Chewing Gum - Where Did You Get That Hat - I'll Never Fall In Love
01/06/07 - Download Rock Island Line by The Peter Donegan Band... for free!
A new 5-piece band has exploded onto the scene, led by a great talent - Peter Donegan.
Download their version of Rock Island Line here >>>
Visit www.peterdonegan.com for more information about the band. It's electric Skiffle that will rock your soul!