In 1959, Vince Taylor recorded a rockabilly B-side. In 1979, The Clash made it into a punk masterpiece
Vince Taylor’s 1959 rockabilly song ‘Brand New Cadillac’ began as the B-side to ‘Pledgin’ My Love’, a single that failed to gain traction in Britain. Two decades later, The Clash recorded it for *London Calling*, turning the little-known track into one of the album’s best-known songs.
Taylor, born Brian Holden in Middlesex, had spent part of his childhood in the United States and returned to Britain with experience of its 1950s rock scene. His band, the Playboys, found a cult following in parts of mainland Europe, but their Parlophone singles did not chart and the label ended their contract. The Clash kept much of the original arrangement, adding more distortion and angst, and their version became better known than Taylor’s.
In short
- Taylor’s 1959 B-side initially flopped in Britain.
- The Clash revived it on *London Calling* in 1979.
- Their cover became more famous than the original.
Explained simply
Rockabilly grew out of the meeting of country music and early rock ’n’ roll in the 1950s. Vince Taylor, born Brian Holden in Middlesex, sang in that style with his band the Playboys; they built a following in parts of Europe, though their singles did not chart in Britain.
The Clash were a British punk band whose 1979 album London Calling drew on several musical styles, including older rock ’n’ roll. Their recording of Taylor’s song kept much of its basic arrangement while giving it a louder, more urgent sound, introducing many listeners to a track that had been little known in Britain.