Last (for now!) In A Series Of Firsts

First up is Let It Rock—a Dave Edmunds track with backing by Brinsley Schwarz. It’s the first track to see release with Dave playing with his longtime partner Nick Lowe.

Before they backed Bob Dylan, The Band backed Ronnie Hawkins as The Hawks—as they were billed on this excellent cover of Forty Days. Mark Knopfler’s first recording outfit wasn’t Dire Straits, but Brewer’s Droop who supply Roller Coaster.

In the halcyon days of 1967 J.J. Cale cut his very first version of After Midnight. A big hit for one of my favorites; Delbert McClinton, Given It Up For Your Love was first recorded by Jerry Williams. Many musos consider Rocket '88' to be the 1st Rock & Roll Song—which was recorded by Ike Turner’s cousin; Jackie Brenston With His Delta Cats (which included Ike among their number).

It’s been said that The Who are the world’s greatest cover band because when Pete Townshend lays down a demo, it’s completely fleshed out, as this first recorded attempt at Call Me Lightning illustrates.

The next three tracks are the original versions of songs covered by Elvis. Tiger Man (King Of The Jungle) by Memphis DJ & recording artist Rufus Thomas. Fever by Otis Blackwell (who also supplied The King with All Shook Up) and the first recorded version of Too Much by Bernard Hardison.

Demos are automatic firsts, & One Inch Rock is an acoustic demo by Marc Bolan before his success with T-Rex. While everyone’s heard MANDY a million times, comparatively few have heard Barry Manilow’s previously unreleased original “first take”. The version of Hello It's Me on Volume 3 is from The Nazz’s 1967 Audition Tape.

As Gregg Allman shares during this 1982 Letterman appearance the FIRST song he wrote & KEPT was Melissa. Thoughts Of You was an early demo by Sixpence None The Richer. The Shirelles’ Will You Love Me Tomorrow marked the first time a black female vocal group hit the #1 slot.

Dream Baby is an early recording by Cher under her FIRST moniker: Cherilyn. Rockabilly pioneer Barbara Pitman recorded this demo version of her best-known song; I'm Getting Better All The Time. Fans of Link Wray know that he became an instrumentalist because he lost a lung to tuberculosis during The Korean War—but not before he recorded the vocal track: If This Is Wrong.

Nick Lowe pops up again with his ‘78 Top Of The Pops appearance (I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass) which was his “first date” with future wife Carlene Carter. Future Blondie bassist Gary Valentine’s band The Know delivers I Like Girls.

Although it was a hit for Animotion, Obsession was first recorded by the duo who wrote it; Michael Des Barres & Holly Knight. The Doors’ Moonlight Drive in its earliest demo form has its own charm.

Known for his time with Hawkwind & Motörhead, Lemmy's FIRST Band was The Rockin' Vickers whose I Don't Need Your Kind was produced by the legendary Shel Talmy.

This live recording of Cocksucker is by Sniper—Joey Ramone's 1st band when he was known as Jeff Starship. Also in the band was future Blondie guitarist Frank Infante. And bringing it all home is a 1975 demo of their classic; Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue by The Ramones!