Reparations for the Blues "I said I’m sitting here watching
matchbox hole in my clothes." (Opening verse of The Beatles’
"Matchbox") In 1964 the Beatles took America by storm on the
basis of some catchy original songs and a scattering of ’50′s
rock’n roll retreads like "Matchbox." In quick succession they
were followed by bands like the Rolling Stones, the Who, the
Animals, Them, the Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd. What
would become known as the "British Invasion" changed the face of
American-and world–pop music forever. What got lost between the
lines was that the white British Invasion was fueled by black
American blues. "Matchbox" is a good case in point because the
Fab Four said they learned it off the 1957 Dance Album by
rockabilly pioneer, Carl Perkins. Carl didn’t say where he
picked it up, but he readily admitted that "I just speeded up
some of the slow blues licks" for his seminal rock guitar style.
He is also given writer’s credit for "Matchbox." "Matchbox" was
written and recorded by blues leg