Blues guitarist J.J. Cale was one of the originators of the Tulsa sound. The Tulsa sound can be described as a loose genre drawing on blues, rockabilly, country and various other styles. Cale’s personal playing style is often described as laid-back and chill. He was born John Weldon Cale on December 5 in 1938. He is a Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter and musician.
Despite his reputation he only had one hit single in the United States. The single Crazy Mama made it all the way to 22 on the US Billboard hot 100 during the year 1972. In the 2006 documentary made about him Cale recounts the story of the time offer to appear on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand to promote his hit tune. He declined the offer because he was told that he would have to lip sync and his band would not be allowed to join him.
This blues guitarist is cited as an influence by many musicians and his songs have been covered by artists such as Eric Clapton, Kansas, and Lynrd Skynrd.
Top 5 Songs
Cocaine
After Midnight
Magnolia
Cajun Moon
Crazy Mama
Top 3 Albums
Naturally
Shades
Roll On
Discography
Singles
1958 Shock Hop/Sneaky
1960 Troubles, Troubles/Purple Onion
1961 Ain’t That Lovin You Baby/She’s My Desire
1971 Crazy Mama
Albums
1966 A Trip Down The Sunset Strip (with the Leathercoated Minds)
1971 Naturally
1972 Really
1974 Okie
1976 Troubadour
1979 5
1981 Shades
1982 Grasshopper
1983 #8
1984 Special Edition (a compilation of hits from previous albums)
1990 Travel Log
1992 Number 10
1994 Closer to You
1996 Guitar Man
1997 Anyway the Wind Blows
1998 The Very Best of J.J. Cale
2000 Universal Masters Collection
2001 Live
2004 To Tulsa and Back
2006 Collected (Dutch release only)
2006 The Road to Escondido (with Eric Clapton)
2007 Rewind: The Unreleased Recordings
2009 Roll On
