Rockabilly from Miami? At first glance, that might seem unusual - but that is exactly what makes this release so compelling. The Rhythm Rockets are among the most exciting and long-overlooked acts of the early rock'n'roll era, representing a scene that developed its own identity far from the established music centers.
At the heart of the story are brothers Ray and Donnie Pate, two teenagers with remarkable talent and determination. Raised on gospel, country and rhythm & blues, they developed their own sound by the mid-1950s - raw, energetic and impressively mature for their age.
As rock'n'roll took hold in Florida, the Rhythm Rockets quickly became part of the local scene. They appeared at jamborees, shared stages with artists like Carl Perkins and performed at the legendary shows hosted by DJ Milt "Mr. Rock & Roll" Oshins. Their only contemporary release came out on Gulfstream Records in 1958 - while much of their material remained unreleased for decades.
These sessions form the core of this collection. The Pate brothers wrote all of their own material and worked with remarkable dedication in the studio. The result is a set of powerful rockabilly recordings driven by Donnie's distinctive guitar work and Ray's confident vocals.
That this music was rediscovered only years later adds to its unique appeal. Long available only on obscure compilations and acetate releases, the Rhythm Rockets are now considered a cult name among collectors.
This collection finally places their music in the context it deserves, proving that rock'n'roll was not confined to Memphis or Nashville - but thrived wherever young musicians were ready to create something new.
Track Listing
My Shadow Here, There And Everywhere Boppin‘, Strollin‘ And Messin‘ Around I’ve Got That Feeling Donny’s Boogie Everybody’s Gonna Do The Rock ‘n‘ Roll The Slide Lucky Day My Love Is Gone My Shadow (alt. take) Donny’s Boogie (alt. take)
