Bobby Lee Trammell, Rockin' Superman
  
Bobby Lee Trammell (1984) Bobby Lee Trammell (1957)
 
Former Rockabilly Star and Politician Dies; February 20, 2008
JONESBORO, AR. Region 8 News has learned that former state Representative and Craighead County Quorum Court member Bobby Lee Trammell of Jonesboro has died. Trammell reportedly died last night in Jonesboro. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time, but are expected to be handled by Roller Farmers Union Funeral Home of Jonesboro. Trammell rose to regional fame as a rockabilly musician in the fifties and sixties. Later in life, he entered the political realm, and served terms in both the Arkansas House of Representatives as well as the Craighead County Quorum Court. Region 8 News will have more information on Trammell's death, as it becomes available.

Source: Region 8 News, 2008

Bobby was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was discovered by Fabor Robinson, while playing at the Jubilee ballroom in Baldwin Park, California. After being booked on the Louisiana Hayride, he took lead guitarist James Burton and bassist James Kirkland of Bob Luman's band  The Shadows (no relation to Hank B. Marvin's UK Shadows) back to California to record "Shirley Lee" and "I sure do love you baby" for Fabor Records in 1957. The record kicked up some dust when it was leased to ABC Records, but didn't become the expected hit. When Burton and Kirkland joined Ricky Nelson's band, "Shirley Lee" went with them and was also recorded by Nelson on his second album "Ricky Nelson", while Clyde Stacy covered "I sure do love you baby" on Bullseye.

"You mostest girl", also released on Fabor and owing a debt to Elvis' "Baby I don't care" , was almost a hit in 1958, when it made the regional charts, a #5 hit in Winnipeg, Canada, when released there on Reo. It has been re-issued many times on fabor, Skyla, Capitol, Bear Family, Souncot and Collector (Holland).

Bobby was known for his wild stage act and recorded for almost as many labels as Dorsey Burnette, hitting the country charts with "Love isn't love" on Souncot in 1972. Bobby Lee Trammell has more recently left the musical high ground sinking into the jaded depths of running for political office.

Source: Ian Wallace for New Kommotion 1986

I was very lucky to see Bobby Lee perform his wild and frantic show live on stage, when he visited the Rockhouse in Holland back in 1984. Though he looked a little silly in his 'superman' outfit, he presented a real wild rockabilly stage act that I won't ever forget. With great enthousiasme he performed his (almost) hits Shirley Lee, Tollie Frollie, You Mostest Girl, and many more. If Bobby ever dicides to make a comeback, be sure not to miss it!

Though most of Bobby's recordings have been re-issued many times over the years, I feel that I should mention one in particular. I think "Bobby Lee Trammell, His Very Best Rocking Recordings" on the Dutch Collector label (CL 1015) best represents what Bobby stands for: cool rock 'n' roll, speeded up rockabilly and some very good ballads. I think this album must be a collectors item by now, but if you can lay your hands on it, don't hessitate to buy it! Rock your socks off!

The Black Cat, 1997