By his own reckoning, Art Adams has led a remarkable life. He’s ninety three now, one of the few remaining original Rock n Roll stars, a contemporary of the Killer, who was ‘rediscovered’ by the rock n roll world around twenty years ago. A return to the world of music at Viva Las Vegas sparked a late-in-life renaissance, making Adams a welcome visitor across the world. Speaking to him is a refreshing experience. For us in 2025, the fifties seems a far off, glamorous mirage of petticoats and jukeboxes, but the way he tells his story in clipped, matter-of-fact tones reminds us that this was no fantasy. 

“I was born in Kentucky. February 12th, 1932. My parents were dirt farmers. And they moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. My mom and dad divorced, and I’ve been on my own ever since [I was] fifteen. When I was a kid, you know, I used to get up on the hill, off in the barn with a broom stick and pretend I was on the Grand Ole Opry. As best I can go back and remember, I’ve always [been] singing and I’m not the best singer in the world by far, but I’ve always had a love [of] country music. I first started listening to the bluegrass music, I guess [I went] from bluegrass up to country and then to Rockabilly and then rock.  In the sixties, the Country died out and a lot of bands [were] going into rock and roll. Back then we weren’t calling it Rockabilly, you know. I don’t know where that phrase comes from.” 

After serving in the Korean War for twenty months, Adams returned home in 1956, determined to make his mark on Rock n Roll. “We played concerts and I started doing it uptempo. And I got this idea ready and I know the guitar player because I’ve seen a few [bands] had two lead guitar players. I had an FK guitar, so that’s how we come up with the sound.” Of course, Sun Studios beckoned, but fate stood in the way for Adams. “I didn’t record at Sun. I went to Sun to get it, to get a recording contract, but Sam Phillips wasn’t there. They listened to my songs and so he told me to come back, but I never did go back. It was a long 700 mile drive, [and I thought, I’m] not even ever going to go back.”

Instead, he signed to Cherry, which involved commuting to and from Music Row to cut his first single. “I got a friend of mine in the New Jersey. And I said they were recording our records in Nashville. So [not] long before we set up a performance and played Saturday night and go to Nashville. And I stayed… recorded the first two songs [including] Dancing Doll. And then we did the same thing a little bit later. So we get them all in one take.‘Dancing Doll’ had evolved organically from his shows. “It always comes from our shows that we did for the teenagers back then. [This girl] was dancing and she wanted to be sort of our head of our fan club.

Unfortunately, the real world got in the way of Adams’ ambitions, for a little while at least. As he puts it, “I give up music for 30 years to raise my kids.” Of course, that’s not the end of his story.

During the eighties, bootlegs of Adams’ records began circulating across Europe and demand increased for his return, until he drew the attention of the Viva Las Vegas organisers in 2003 “People would call me and call me and say, you know, that my songs become real popular. So anyway, that was the first show that I done after thirty years. So I got some local musicians to go with me to Tom Ingram. He wanted me to use  his musicians. I wouldn’t do that. So we finally got that straightened out. And so I’ve been back. I’ve been back three times.” The fans loved his show and gave him a very warm welcome. “They were so excited. I couldn’t walk five feet to somebody who wanted to take a picture. I think so. It was unbelievable, to tell you the truth. And people there was wanting to see me because you know, I guess some of them probably thought I was getting it.”

Having retired from music due to his health, Adams is reflective. “I appreciate all the, all the good things happened to me because I’m a poor Kentucky boy and my life has been really unbelievable.  I’ve been to Europe. I’ve been to England” – Adams played Hemsby 52 in 2014 – “I’ve been to Finland. I’ve been to France. I’ve been Sweden many times. I’ve been there. Been all over the world.”

It was a profound experience to speak with Adams: with so few trailblazers left, to hear his passion for his music and dedication to his craft pouring from every syllable was deeply moving. It was surprising how definitely he gave his advice to younger Rock n Rollers. The legacy he offers from a life in and out of music, as well as songs which hold up just as well as when they were written, is a testament to the power of Rock n Roll.

Art Adam’s Rules for Rock n Roll

1. Practice every night.
2. Be nice to people and they’ll be nice to you. I’ve had people say I’m too nice, but you can’t be too nice.
3. Get up on stage and entertain.
4. Don’t try to be a comic. Don’t get on stage and tell them about your dirty jokes.
5. Don’t be drinking a beer every song you sang. People don’t come to see you drink beer on stage. They come to hear you entertain.
6. Just do the best you can to be yourself.

Kate Allvey

Buy Art Adams’ ‘Memphis Dream’ from Bear Family Records here