OK, so how do you start to define rockabilly music? Or the various "sub-divisions" like neo-rockabilly, psychobilly, etc.? Or even rock'n'roll? It might seem straightforward, but so many people use the terms in different ways, some very precisely, and others quite indiscriminately. We've heard of everybody from U2, Metallica and Oasis being described as "rock'n'roll", which for us is just too broad a definition. But you can't define it just by saying one artist is "rock'n'roll", and another artist is "rockabilly" or "western swing", because quite often the same artist may have recorded songs in different styles. Just look at the diversity of material in Elvis's catalogue, for example.
In many ways, the various "sub-divisions" within rock'n'roll and/or rockabilly don't matter - the last thing we want to do is be accused of "dividing up the scene". There's far too much of that already, with clubs refusing to book bands because they're "too rockabilly" or "too jivey", especially here in the UK. So we're not putting these definitions on here to add fuel to that particular fire. At the end of the day, to paraphrase Billy Joel (and our good friends The Jime), "It's all rock'n'roll to me". But at the same time, in an effort to provide a little clarity, we're going to have a go at defining these genres, in some kind of historical perspective. If it helps, great. If it doesn't, ignore it. If you disagree with some of our definitions, let us know!

Probably the best place to start is with Bob Timmers' definition from the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame:

ROCKABILLY: WHAT IS IT?
Without saying "it's just a feeling", rockabilly is a hard term to pin down. The simplest way may be to describe it as picturing an exciting blend of the blues, country and gospel sounds of American music that were prevalent up to the mid-1950's. Mix that in with the heavier beat that was becoming more and more a part of the pop music of the day, and the result was "rock 'n' roll".
So what then is rockabilly?
Let's call it a window. Many young musicians found a sound that appealed to the ears and dancing feet of their generation. The older generation stepped back in amazement. During the time frame of 1955-1960 a unique musical historical window was created. "Rockabilly music" WAS THE WINDOW.
We will add some name recognition to help illustrate. We've all heard about Elvis' early "Memphis Sound" on the Sun records? This sound captured teen hearts of the fifties and is still recognizable today. Do any of these other names sound familiar? Ricky Nelson, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Bill Haley & The Comets, Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. These are just some of the names of rockabilly artists most people have heard. These talents have been admired for over two generations.
Rockabilly is one of the purist forms of American roots music. It was never a watered-down, homogenized sound designed by corporate record companies to build profits. You can't change something musical that is pure and simple without ruining the result.
The writer of "Rock Around the Clock" was quoted as saying, "It amazes me to this day, when I'm at a dance or party and 'Rock Around the Clock' is played, six-year-old kids are jumping up and down and 85-year-old grandmas are tappin' their feet. I don't believe they even realize why they're doing it. This sound and music has to be timeless!".

You'll have to admit that rockabilly, the "launching pad of rock 'n' roll", has become a major part of the current music scene as it often resurfaces in movies and in bits and pieces of today's songs. Just listen carefully, you'll hear it and love it.

Used with permission - full text is available at the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame.

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So are the terms "Rockabilly" and "Rock'n'Roll" interchangeable? To a lot of people they are, and yet to a lot of other people they are not, and if you turn up at "their" rock'n'roll club and play "rockabilly music", they're up in arms about it!
So what's the difference?

Well, for us, the answer is partly historical, partly in the "feel" of the music, and partly in the instrumentation, and even then that's not the full answer!

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To be continued...

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