They All Had Their Own Story

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It should’ve happened… multiple hits, a massive career, world recognition and all the rest.

 

KEN COOK is obscureville. Wow, what a presentation.

   

THE TRACK TO HEAR: “I Was A Fool”

Kenny (born May 13, 1937) was piano-pounder

and a friend of Roy Orbison’s from back in Texas.

It was Roy that brought Kenny to Sam Phillips’

doorstep. There is a real rockabilly feel. It’s

possibly ’56 or ‘57 and Roy does get Sam to issue

one single with Ken’s name on it: “Crazy Baby”/”I Was a Fool,” Phillips International 3534. Roy does the

preponderance of the vocalizing on “I Was A Fool” and it’s a great disc; ala the Everly Brothers. There was

enough material in the can to issue at the least a follow-up 45, but Sam passed on “Don’t Be Running

Around,” a cut that Orbison hadn’t recorded yet [retitled “Problem Child”].

Ken Cook disappeared…apparently, doing nothing with his musicality. There is no indication that his

sounds were ever again recorded. Ken died April 27, 2004. Reportedly, when Roy Orbison was asked what

became of his friend he did not wish to make any comment.