His original Sun discography was just one single, "Slow Down" / "A Fool For Lovin' You", Sun 240, released April 1956, and credited to Jack Earls and the Jimbos. Other, originally unissued, Sun recordings by Jack were discovered and made available in subsequent years, and they are rightly regarded as some of the most pure and primitive rockabilly music ever made.
As we are on an Elvis forum, maybe it's interesting to note that Earls' bass player back then was Johnny Black, Bill's brother.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ApBHsvnXOE
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This is the obituary written by the Earls family. Gotta love that last sentence !!!
The Earls family is heartbroken to announce the passing of the family patriarch and Sun Records legend Jack Earls on June 12, 2023. Jack entered the gates of heaven peacefully at home with the love of his life, Dorothy and many family members by his side.
Jack was born on August 23rd, 1932 in Woodbury, Tennessee to Hobart and Nannie (Roach) Earls. Jack’s family struggled to make ends meet during the Great Depression and the following decade. He later moved to Memphis with his older brother Richard as a teenager. He worked as a delivery driver for the Colonial Baking Company in 1950 where he would meet his lifetime sweetheart and inspiration, Dorothy Beasley. They were married in 1950 and only death would separate them 72 years later.
Jack would leave the baking company a few years later and he began laying hardwood floors with his brother Herb all over Memphis and the surrounding area. He taught himself to play the guitar and at some point, realized he had a talent for singing and song writing. He formed a band and approached legendary producer Sam Phillips of Sun Records and was granted an audition at Sun in 1955. While Sam didn’t care for Jack’s backup band, he saw potential in the powerful vocals and charismatic energy Jack possessed. Jack formed a new band, and he was invited back for several recording sessions. Jack Earls and the Jimbos returned and laid down some of the most original and powerful Rockabilly tracks of that era. He wrote “Slow Down” in the front seat of his old Buick the night before one of those recording sessions and when Sam Phillips heard that song he ran out of the recording booth and told the boys “that’s it! No need for another take”. “Slow Down” sold nearly 50,000 copies which cemented Jack and the Jimbos legacy in Rockabilly history.
Jack never put his full focus on his music career because he had a young family, a good day job, and Jack and The Jimbos were the house band at the hottest club in Memphis, the Palms Club, for 6 years. His desire not to tour and leave his family and bandmates behind eventually led him to leave Memphis in the late 1960’s and he took what they used to call the “Hillbilly Highway” to the Detroit area where he and Dorothy raised their 6 children and built a comfortable life. While he continued to perform and record in the Detroit area, he eventually settled in as a truck driver for Chrysler. He retired in the early 90’s and decided to get back to his rockabilly roots and began touring all over the world. He entertained and thrilled fans in England, Norway, France, Spain, Japan and all over the United States. As I write this, the news of his passing is hitting the rockabilly community and his fans have reached out in large numbers to share their memories and appreciation for his talents and the music legacy he leaves behind.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents Hobart and Nannie, siblings, his daughter Janet (Turner) and son Steven, and grandson Sammy (Turner). He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Dorothy, his son in law Jimmy Turner, son Jack (Marsha) Earls, son Mike (Summer) Earls, daughter Lisa Lucka and son Lenny (Stacey) Earls, 14 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and legions of rockabilly fans all around the world.
Jack will be remembered not only for his contribution to music, but for the example he set both as a husband and father. He was never too busy to offer support or advice to anyone he met and trusted. His capacity to love, work, perform, laugh, and dream leaves an enduring legacy. Job well done dad. No doubt Jack Earls and the Jimbos are headlining this weekend at that great rockabilly revival in the sky.
https://www.hopcroftfuneraldirectors.com/obituaries/Jack-Earls-2/#!/Obituary