Record #0035: What Am I Living For / Hang Up My Rock And Roll Shoes – CHUCK WILLIS

Atlantic 1179 (original) USA, April 1958
Words & Music by:  Side A – Art Harris, Fred Jay; Side B – Chuck Willis
Musicians:  Chuck Willis (vocals & guitar), King Curtis (tenor sax), George Barnes (guitar), Al Caiola (guitar), Joe Marshall (drums), Lloyd Trotman (bass), Teddy Charles (vibraphone), Sammy Price (piano), the Cues (backing vocals)
Recording sessions:  New York, NY, Feb.14, 1958
Highest chart positions:  Side A -US #9, US R&B #1; Side B – US #24, US R&B #9

This record is loaded with notable musicians and it also very much sounds like it was played by hard-boiled professionals.

Also famous for his #1 R&B hit “C.C. Rider”, Chuck Willis had his biggest hit with this record that sold over one million copies. “What Am I Living For” was Billboard’s top R&B single of the year.

Willis didn’t see the success of this record, though, as he died soon after its release in a stomach ulcer surgery.

The Cues (a doo-wop group from New York) provided the backing vocals here. I have some of their records to post later.

List price:  “Very Good+” is $15 and “Near Mint” is $30