Johnny Carroll

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Johnny Carroll

| image = Johnny Carroll.jpg

| caption =

| image_size =

| birth_name = John Lewis Carrell

| alias =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1937|10|23}}

| birth_place = Cleburne, Texas

| death_date = {{death date and age|1995|1|13|1937|10|23}}

| death_place = Dallas, Texas

| origin = Godley, Texas

| instrument =

| genre = Rockabilly
Rock and roll

| occupation = Singer, guitarist

| years_active = 1956 - 1985

| label = Decca Records, Sun Records, Warner Bros. Records

| associated_acts =

| website =

}}

Johnny Carroll (born John Lewis Carrell; October 23, 1937{{snd}}January 13, 1995{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qAHvUO5GknMC&dq=Johnny+Carroll++1995&pg=PA154|title=Go Cat Go!: Rockabilly Music and Its Makers|pages=154–156|chapter=JOHNNY CARROLL|author=Craig Morrison|year=1996|publisher=University of Illinois Press|isbn=9780252065385}}) was an American rockabilly musician.

Biography

Born John Lewis Carrell in Cleburne, Texas, Carrell's last name was printed incorrectly as Carroll in his first recording with Decca Records and he thereafter used that spelling of his name professionally.{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CE8xiT3pV6QC&dq=Johnny+Carroll++Carrell&pg=PT301|chapter=CARROLL, JOHNNY (1937—1995)|author=Juan Carlos Rodriguez|title=The Handbook of Texas Music|date=22 February 2012 |publisher=Texas State Historical Association|editor=Laurie E. Jasinski|isbn=9780876112977}} Carroll began recording for Decca in the middle of the 1950s. He released several singles, none of which saw significant success, although they are now critically acclaimed.[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p16315/biography|pure_url=yes}} Johnny Carroll] at Allmusic His records were eclipsed by the success of other rockabilly and early rock & roll musicians such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash.{{cite web|url=https://sunrecords.com/artists/johnny-carroll/| title=Johnny Carroll |publisher=Sun Records|accessdate=2025-01-21}} {{cite web|url=https://www.bear-family.com/carroll-johnny/?srsltid=AfmBOoqTBGh354uAtP-TdABT42NKJ4vv7axT6L8Rf7sN9Bm88xFl30rC| title=Johnny Carroll |publisher=Bear Family Records|accessdate=2025-01-21}}

His career ended toward the end of the 1950s, but he made a comeback in 1974 with a Gene Vincent tribute song. He continued to record well into the 1980s. For many years he was connected with the Cellar Club in Fort Worth, Texas and other Cellar Clubs around the state.

He died of liver failure on January 13, 1995, and is buried in his hometown of Godley, Texas.

In 1996 a 33-track reissue of his early recordings was released as Rock Baby Rock It: 1955-1960.

Discography

;Early recordings

class="wikitable" ! width="50" \| Year ! width="300" \| Title ! width="200" \| Record label
rowspan=3 \| 1956	"Rock 'n' Roll Ruby" / "Trying to Get to You"	rowspan=3 \| Decca Records
"Wild Wild Women" / "Corrine, Corrina"
"Hot Rock" / "Crazy Crazy Lovin'"
1957	"That’s the Way I Love" / "I'll Wait"	Phillips International
rowspan=2 \| 1959	"The Swing" / "Bandstand Doll"	rowspan=2 \| Warner Bros. Records
"Sugar" / "Lost Lost Without You"
1960	"Run Come See" / "Trudy"	WA Records
1962	"Run Come See" / "The Sally Ann"	Duchess Records
1956	EP Hot Rock Corrine, Corrine Crazy Crazy Lovin’ Wild Wild Women	Decca Records
	* Crazy Little Mama Cut Out Hearts of Stone Love Is a Merry-Go-Round Sexy Ways Stingy Thing Why Cry Be-Bop-A-Lula Is Back on the Scene Cat with the Skin Lonesome Boy Sugar Lips	not released