Uploaded August 2016 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
"Birmingham Bounce" is a 1950 song written and recorded by Sid "Hardrock" Gunter, a singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose music at the turn of the 1950's prefigured rock and roll and rockabilly music although his nickname "Hardrock" had nothing to do with either. Gunter's original Bama Record version has been regarded as an early rock and roll contributor. Gunter came up with the song as way of showcasing his session back-up band members, and it quickly became a regional hit and also led to a highly successful tour. However, country singer Red Foley released a "hotter" version that reached #1 on the Billboard country chart and #14 on the pop chart. Foley's better selling version led stores to send back Gunter's earlier release. Although Gunter was disappointed, he gained earnings and credit as the writer on any cover versions. He also wrote and released in 1954 “Gonna Dance All Night” that included the phrase "rock ’n’ roll" four years before they would be associated with country and pop music. Gunter's records had a significant impact on the "British rockabilly" scene of the late 1970's and 80's.
"Birmingham Bounce" is a 1950 song written and recorded by Sid "Hardrock" Gunter, a singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose music at the turn of the 1950's prefigured rock and roll and rockabilly music although his nickname "Hardrock" had nothing to do with either. Gunter's original Bama Record version has been regarded as an early rock and roll contributor. Gunter came up with the song as way of showcasing his session back-up band members, and it quickly became a regional hit and also led to a highly successful tour. However, country singer Red Foley released a "hotter" version that reached #1 on the Billboard country chart and #14 on the pop chart. Foley's better selling version led stores to send back Gunter's earlier release. Although Gunter was disappointed, he gained earnings and credit as the writer on any cover versions. He also wrote and released in 1954 “Gonna Dance All Night” that included the phrase "rock ’n’ roll" four years before they would be associated with country and pop music. Gunter's records had a significant impact on the "British rockabilly" scene of the late 1970's and 80's.
