"Rock with the Caveman" is a song by Tommy Steele and the Steelmen, released as their debut single in October 1956. It peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart, making it the first British rock and roll record to enter the chart.[3]

"Rock with the Caveman"
Single by Tommy Steele and the Steelmen
from the album Tommy Steele Stage Show
B-side	"Rock Around the Town"
Released	12 October 1956 (1956-10-12)[1]
Recorded	24 September 1956[2]
Studio	Decca Studios, London
Genre	Rock and roll
Length	1:53
Label	Decca
Songwriter(s)	Tommy Steele Mike Pratt Lionel Bart
Producer(s)	Hugh Mendl
Tommy Steele and the Steelmen singles chronology
"Rock with the Caveman" (1956) "Doomsday Rock" (1956)

Background and recording

Steele was discovered by Lionel Bart and along with Mike Pratt the three formed a group known as the Cavemen. After being seen by Decca Records' A&R representative Hugh Mendl, Steele was signed to Decca. "Rock with the Caveman" was originally a comedy number, described by Steele as "a joke, a spoof, the sort of thing Monty Python might have done".[4] It was Steele's first recording, recorded at Decca Studios on 24 September 1956, produced by Mendl with engineer Arthur Lilley. Steele was backed by a number of well-known jazz session musicians, including pianist Dave Lee from Johnny Dankworth's band and tenor saxophonist Ronnie Scott.[2]

After the success of "Rock with the Caveman", Steele was dubbed "Britain's Elvis" and only a month later was voted one of the top-ten British singers in a New Musical Express poll.[5] However, his follow-up single "Doomsday Rock" failed to chart, but he topped the chart after that with "Singing the Blues".[3]

Track listing

7": Decca / F 10795

1. "Rock with the Caveman" – 1:53
2. "Rock Around the Town" – 1:52

Personnel

• Tommy Steele – vocals, guitar
• Ronnie Scott – tenor saxophone
• Benny Green – saxophone
• Major Holley – stand-up slap bass
• Dave Lee – piano
• Kirk Dunning – drums
• Unknown – electric guitar

Charts

References