Lonnie Donegan - Rock Island Line (Live) 15/6/1961




Lonnie Donegan was the leader of the UK 50’s Skiffle boom – duffle coats, Dossers, and all of that bohemian sub culture stuff. He was responsible in his own way for many of the early British groups being formed. Without Lonnie and Bert Wheedon, how would people like Brian Jones ever pick up a guitar?
It was the theme of the scene at the place in Manchester‘s Brazennose Street that would later become the Twisted Wheel. But at the time when Lonnie’s 78’s and 45’s played it was known as the Left Wing Cafe.
One of Lonnie’s Blues influences was Leadbelly – hence his 1955 smash hit “Rock Island Line”.
Born 29th April 1931 – Glasgow, Scotland
Real name Andrew Donegan
Died 3rd November 2002 – Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England
Wikipedia: Lonnie Donnegan