James Dean Tribute Records

In the fall of 1955 The Champs recorded "Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots," a teenage tragedy song about a biker who gets hit by a train on Highway 101. It was pioneering, in the effect that it popularized the "teenage death song"-genre in music. It also was one, if not the first song to epitomize the new-school "outlaw teen biker" stereotype. Also, the record was released the week before James Dean died. The song isn't about James Dean, but it definitely defined the period and mood of the fall of '55.

But I digress... James Dean tribute records were released sparsely by a few labels. Imperial released one, Coral released one with several tracks from a few of his films and a couple tribute songs sprinkled here and there by Jimmy Wakely and Dick Jacobs, which were also released individually as 45's.

I don't have the album unfortunately, nor do I have the Wakely single, but I DO have the Jacobs 45, which I'm posting here. Dick Jacobs was A & R guy for Decca and its Brunswick and Coral subsidiaries. He also released a few albums, including the cult classic "Themes From Horror Movies" featuring title songs to popular B-pictures of the day and featuring Karloff-esque narration by Bob McFadden.

As a bonus I'm also throwing in a track from the James Dean tribute EP on the T.N.T. label by Red River Dave. Red River Dave McEnery was known for releasing eccentric ballad songs for topical events of the day, starting in '39 with "Amelia Earhart's Last Flight," and moving through songs devoted to such subjects as the Sharon Tate murder, the Francis Powers Trial, Apollo 11 and Patty Hearst to name a few. The track I'm including is "James Dean Deck of Cards" which is a tribute/parody to Wink Martindale's "Deck of Cards," which is one the most oddball country records you'll ever hear.

And for good measure, just so this isn't a such a lean download, I'm including two versions of "Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots;" the original Cheers version, and the reworking cover done by Edith Piaf, "L'Homme a' la Moto" which ended up being a hit for her as well.

Download here!