I just read in our local paper that Charlie Ryan, the man behind 'Hot Rod Lincoln' passed away on Saturday. He's lived here in town for a long time. If anyone is interested, his funeral is Friday at 1 and I can post the contact info if anyone wants to send a card.
http://www.hot-rod-lincoln.com/ SPECIAL BULLETIN: A 50th anniversary show is being planned to honor Charlie and the Hot Rod Lincoln for April 25th, 2008 at the Kent Stage in Kent, Ohio. Asleep at the Wheel and Commander Cody, who have had hits with "Hot Rod Lincoln" have been booked for the show. http://www.spokesmanreview.com/obits/?ID=531025
As a fellow who has penned a few tunes, it is amazing when that perfect mix of words come together to touch lives. I can't think of a song that captures the passion and attitude that is hot rodding better than"Hot Rod Lincoln" I never knew the man, or if he considered himself an "artist" but he painted a word picture with that song that continues to inspire young gearheads to this day. God Speed Charlie. And Thanks... GV
I thought about taking the afternoon off and cruising to his funeral. I never met the guy, but saw him around at local car shows quite a bit.
RIP charlie. hope yer down in hot rod hades with yer buds. http://blogfiles.wfmu.org/BL/0508/s...and_The_Timberline_Riders_-_Hot_Rod_Hades.mp3
Another icon gone. This has been happening way too much lately but I guess we're all getting older. I think it would be great if someone can post a little bio about the man and his car. RIP brother.
Ya heard the story of the hotrod race that fatal day When the Ford an' the Mercury went out to play Well this is the inside story an' I'm here ta say I'm the kid that wasa drivin that Model A The song has been redone so many times but none of the other versions even compare to Charlie's. I know the whole song by heart without even hearin the music. LOL
Will miss a friend. R.I.P. Charlie! He entertained us many times at local car shows. He leaves behind a wonderful story tellin wife!.........OLDBEET
Wow, I just now listened to that song, as I do every morning while getting my cup of coffee, and bearings on what to do today. Charlie is as much a part of hotrodding as american graffiti, HE WILL BE MISSED!!!!
well my poor old pop said he'd start drinkin if I didn't stop driving that hot rod lincoln I wound her up and I let her go now I'm with the devil down here below I took the final turn up at grapevine hill I happened to meet a truck after rolling still I tried to cut between two headlights there til I found out they was a matching pair I lived my life over just before the crash every chance I ever took went by in a flash I smelled rubber burning and I heard gravel whine a little boy said charlie, end of the line as the crash was echoing across the plains they were tidying up my last remains boy you can say bro to yer oversized pot I was down here shoveling and it's mighty hot the devil was standing there with a pointed tail he was crackin a whip it was worse than jail he had little black horns on top of his head his teeth were green and his eyes were red He hated to see a man out of work He kept things stern ya couldn't shirk Things are really jumpin in the lower level joint if you didn't understand you soon got the point (ahhhhhhhh!) It's not dull down here he says to me This is the hotrod section we're full ya see A new batch today and more tomorrow that guy over there keeps yelling for laura (tell laura I love her) (ahhh shut up and keep shovelin!) he raced for the loot to by a ring for his chick he shoulda went to work cuz his tires were slick I was pouring on the coal, his spinners were a hummin I had the fire good and hot cuz I new he was a commin black denim trousers with an eagle on his back totalled out his cycle on a Cadillac A nash rambler guy we called second gear finally got it in high and he landed here they kept pourin into hades in a steady stream when I woke up from that awful dream I called my pop and said you can quit drinking cause I'm jackin up that hotrod lincoln
Charlie was truly a great guy. He always bought his model A coupe on shortened lincoln chassis to NSRA events in Spokane where I lived, and to the Top Hat Tavern on special occasions. He also came to a local beer bar in Spokane Valley that his daughter frequented where he played and sang on many Sunday afternoons. He also wrote STREETS OF BAKERSFIELD and many other country tunes.
I meet Charlie back in the ninties on my way to bonneville when I stop for gas... What a gentle man He unloaded the coupe and took me for a ride! we hung out for about 2 hours in that parking lot talking cars & music. I came away with a pile of photos & tapes and the memory of a true gentleman hot rodder, We could learn a thing or two from how he lived his life.... Farewell friend... Gods speed!
"Writer of "Hot Rod Lincoln" moves to drag race in the sky By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER SPOKANE, Wash. -- Charles Ryan, the Spokane man who co-wrote the hit song "Hot Rod Lincoln," has run his last road race. Ryan died Saturday at age 92 after a long battle with heart disease. "Anyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting with, or working with Charlie, knew one thing: He was the REAL DEAL!" wrote Karl Bingle, a friend who operates the Web site http://www.hot-rod-lincoln.com . "He had the kind of spirit and personality that immediately brought a smile to your face and challenged you to live life to the fullest," Bingle wrote. "His amazing contributions to country and rockabilly music will never be forgotten." Ryan and W.S. Stevenson wrote "Hot Rod Lincoln" and Ryan first recorded it in 1955. It has been recorded many times since. Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen made it a hit in 1972, and it has been a mainstay of popular culture for decades. The song passed the 1 million-play mark in the summer of 2000, according to Broadcast Music Inc. Ryan was born in Graceville, Minn., on Dec. 19, 1915, grew up in Polson, Mont., and moved to Spokane in 1943. He served in the Army in World War II. He worked as a musician and songwriter, touring with Jim Reeves, Johnny Horton and others. He married Ruth Scheffler of Polson in 1943 and they had three children. The song was inspired by Ryan's commutes in his 1941 Lincoln from Spokane to play gigs at the Paradise Club in Lewiston, Idaho. "One night his Lincoln chased a friend's Cadillac over the Clearwater River bridge and up the Lewiston grade," the Web site said. "The telephone poles were whizzing by so fast they looked like picket fences as Charlie later referred to in his hit song." The song concluded with the rueful line, "Son, you're gonna drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop drivin' that Hot Rod Lincoln!" Ryan's version hit the Billboard Top 100 charts in 1960 and stayed there for six months. Many versions exist, with the words often altered by each new group. Ryan is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. On July 19, 2003, "Charlie Ryan Day" was celebrated in Spokane and the state of Washington. "Your song 'Hot Rod Lincoln' is an anthem for a generation," former U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt, R-Wash., said. "Charlie is a state treasure," former Gov. Gary Locke wrote. "His musical career, which began in Spokane during the early 1930's, has spanned more than six decades. This is a remarkable testimony to his ability to delight and engage audiences of all ages." A memorial service was set for Friday at Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home in Spokane." My older brother had the Commander Cody version on 45 rpm and used to play it for me while he had me sit in a "roadster" made of cardboard boxes. I think I was about 5 at the time.
I saw Charlie and the A at a car show in Vancouver in the late '50's, early '60's. Great show, great car, great guy. The world is a better place for him having been here.
Charlie touched us all,with those great hot rod tunes,from long ago. Charlie we will miss you. R.I.P.
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