For those unaware, the King of Rockabilly finally gets the spotlight he deserves: Ray Campi - Rocks is more than just a compilation - it’s a passionate portrait of an artist who didn’t just play rockabilly, he lived it.

This release from the acclaimed Bear Family Rocks series traces Campi’s remarkable career from the 1950s to 1990. Even without major chart success, he became a true legend - driven by raw energy, authenticity, and an unmatched stage presence. His music is lively, humorous, danceable - and above all: real.

The CD combines his explosive 1950s recordings, key tracks from his 1970s Rollin’ Rock years, and real highlights for fans: previously unreleased live recordings. They prove why Ray Campi was considered an unbeatable live performer. Of course, his essential classics are included: Caterpillar, Rockabilly Man, How Low Can You Feel, Play It Cool, and Rockin’ At The Ritz. The deluxe 36-page booklet features a personal biography by Rip Masters, a foreword by Deke Dickerson, rare photos, and a detailed discography - a must-have for collectors.

Ray Campi was a star attraction at the first ever rock’n’roll weekender at Caister in 1979, and a much-loved figure on the European rockabilly circuit for years after.

When punk exploded onto the scene in the mid-1970s, the key ingredient making it such appetizing fare for youngsters boiled down to one thing: energy. Press hacks were up in arms about the swearing, the safety pins and the terrible hair, but for the teens of the day, this was simple music, delivered with devil-may-care impudence. Sick to the back teeth of insipid-looking musicians stringing out solos on guitars or keyboards that seemed to go nowhere, here was music that got straight down to business, with no worries about complicated lyrics or smart chord changes.

But this cut-to-the-quick approach was also what made rockabilly, less cynical than punk but just as direct and unpretentious, appealing to another group of young British music fans at the time. Given that fact, it’s unsurprising that they latched onto Ray Campi & His Rockabilly Rebels, whose live shows were the last word in energy.

The middle-aged Campi liked nothing better than to climb aboard his string bass while continuing to slap away furiously. Sometimes he’d put the bass under his arm and play it like it was a guitar. Another move was to hoist the instrument above his head and circle it around as if wielding an axe. Acrobatic guitarist “Jumpin” Jerry Sikorski traded in backflips, sometimes even into the audience. Colin Winski, who played rhythm guitar, swiveled his hips a la Elvis Presley and pulled crazy faces.

1. Caterpillar 2. I Didn’t Mean To Be Mean (1954) 3. Play It Cool 4. Caterpillar 5. I Didn’t Mean To Be Mean 6. Long Tall Sally 7. You Can’t Catch Me 8. The Crossing 9. Living On Love 10. It Ain’t Me 11. Give That Love To Me 12. Let Go Of Louie 13. My Screamin‘ Screamin‘ Mimi 14. The Man I Met (A Tribute to The Big Bopper) 15. That’s Why I Cry 16. I Got A Feeling 17. Sixteen Chicks 18. How Low Can You Feel 19. Booze It! 20. Rockin‘ At The Ritz 21. Quit Your Triflin‘ 22. Rattlin‘ Daddy 23. Wildcat Shakeout 24. Backseat Boogie 25. I Need Love 26. Rockabilly Music 27. Rockabilly Man 28. My Heart’s On Fire 29. I’m Comin‘ Home (live) 30. Honky Tonk Man (live) 31. Pan American Boogie (live) 32. Born To Rock (live) 33. Caterpillar (live) 34. Caterpillar (with Rumble On The Beach) (live)

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