Lonnie Donegan

Lonnie Donegan was a British singer, guitarist, and songwriter known as the “King of Skiffle.” His 1950s recordings helped popularize skiffle and inspired many British musicians.

Chris Barber: Chris Barber was a British jazz trombonist and bandleader who helped revive traditional jazz in Britain. Donegan sang and played banjo in Barber’s jazz band before launching his solo career.
Skiffle: Skiffle is a British popular music style combining folk, blues, and jazz, often played with inexpensive or improvised instruments. Donegan became the style’s most prominent British performer and helped turn it into a national craze.
Traditional jazz revival: The traditional jazz revival was a mid-twentieth-century movement that renewed interest in early jazz styles. Donegan’s first prominence came as a banjo player and singer in Britain’s revival scene.
Cumberland Gap: “Cumberland Gap” is an American folk song recorded as a British hit by Lonnie Donegan in 1957. Its chart success showed that Donegan’s skiffle appeal extended beyond his breakthrough single.
Alexis Korner: Alexis Korner was a British blues musician whose groups helped establish the British blues movement. Korner played with Donegan in Chris Barber’s band and later helped shape another British musical revival.
Rock Island Line: “Rock Island Line” is an American folk and blues song popularized internationally by Lonnie Donegan’s 1955 recording. Its brisk performance and spoken introduction made Donegan’s approach to skiffle a major hit.
Ken Colyer: Ken Colyer was a British trumpeter and bandleader associated with the traditional jazz revival. Donegan joined Colyer’s band, whose lineup later became the foundation of Chris Barber’s Jazz Band.
Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour (On the Bedpost Overnight?): “Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour (On the Bedpost Overnight?)” is a comic song recorded by Lonnie Donegan in 1959. The song displays the humorous music-hall side of Donegan’s repertoire.
The Beatles: The Beatles were an English rock band whose songwriting and recordings transformed popular music. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison were among the British musicians inspired by Donegan’s skiffle records.
Washboard: A washboard is a ridged laundry tool that can be struck or scraped as a percussion instrument. Its low cost made it a characteristic rhythm instrument for skiffle groups influenced by Donegan.

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Cliff RichardRelated: Donegan’s popularity preceded Richard and helped open the market for British youth music.