Ersel Hickey

Best remembered for the rockabilly classic "Bluebirds Over the Mountain," singer Ersel Hickey was born June 27, 1934, in Brighton, NY. After the 1938 death of his father, his mother suffered a nervous breakdown and, according to the www.rockabillyhall.com website, Hickey spent his formative years in a series of foster homes, ultimately hitting the road with his sister, an exotic dancer who performed under the name Chicky Evans. He also traveled the U.S. as a carny before settling in Columbus, OH, landing in a juvenile home and singing in a local gospel group. Inspired by Johnnie Ray, in 1951 Hickey entered a Columbus talent contest and took home top honors, winning $500 and committing himself to a career as a pop singer. After discovering Elvis Presley's landmark Sun recordings, Hickey switched his allegiance to rock & roll and in 1955 cut his debut single, the Fine label effort "Then I'll Be Happy." While performing in Rochester, NY, Hickey stumbled upon Phil Everly and asked for his advice on launching a career. Told "Well, you got to have a song," he wrote "Bluebirds Over the Mountain" literally overnight and traveled to Buffalo the following morning, where he hired photographer Gene LaVerne to shoot a publicity still. The resulting photograph is arguably the zenith of Hickey's career. Rock scribe Peter Guralnick once wrote: "Take a look at the improbably sculpted helmet of hair, the tommy-gun guitar stance, the pleated pants, cocked leg, patent leather casual footwear and turned-up collar...guitar pick poised, background airbrushed out, every fold of clothing carefully arranged...what volumes it speaks of aspiration and style, fate and fantasy, revelation in artifice. It is in effect a self-portrait of rock & roll." LaVerne also put Hickey in touch with songwriter...