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1957 single by Huey "Piano" Smith

"Rockin` Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" is a song written and originally recorded in 1957 by Huey `Piano` Smith, who scored a minor Billboard hit with it, peaking at No. 52 on the Top 100 chart, and a more successful No. 5 on the Most Played R&B by Jockeys chart.[1]

Background

The title is a reference to "walking" pneumonia and the Asian flu, which hit the United States in 1957–58. The lyrics recount the predicament of the singer who would like to approach a woman he sees in a club (or "joint"), but is unsuccessful due to his musical ailments.

Musician credits

• Huey "Piano" Smith – piano
• Sidney Rayfield – vocals
• "Scarface" John Williams – vocals
• Lee Allen – tenor saxophone
• Alvin "Red" Tyler – baritone saxophone
• Earl King – guitar
• Frank Fields – bass
• Charles "Hungry" Williams – drums[2][3]

Johnny Rivers recording

1972 saw the song become an international hit single for Johnny Rivers, featuring Larry Knechtel on piano as well as other Los Angeles session musicians from the Wrecking Crew.[5]

"Rockin` Pneumonia" reached No.6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 during the winter of 1973. It was Rivers` fifth highest charting song and spent a longer time on the chart (19 weeks) than any of his two dozen hits to that date. On the U.S. Cash Box Top 100 the song peaked at No.5, and in Canada it reached No.3.[6]

"Rockin` Pneumonia" gave Rivers his third gold record. His final gold record would be with the 1977 hit, "Swayin` to the Music (Slow Dancing)."

Chart performance

Other cover versions

• In 1957, the tune was recorded by Larry Williams on Specialty Records. The back-up band included René Hall, guitar, Earl Palmer, drums, and Plas Johnson, tenor sax.[12]
• The Crickets, on their 1960 album In Style with the Crickets.
• Paul Peek, on his 1966 single Columbia records 4-43527.
• The Flamin` Groovies, in 1969, on their debut album Supersnazz, and again on their second album Flamingo, in 1970.
• Family, in their January 26, 1973 radio concert on the BBC, relapsed in 1991 as BBC Radio 1: Live in Concert.
• Aerosmith, in 1987, for the Less than Zero soundtrack.
• Grateful Dead, on their Europe `72 tour at the Strand Lyceum, London, England, 23 and 24 May 1972.
• Billy Vera, on his 1976 album Backdoor Man.
• James Booker, on his albums Gonzo: Live 1976 [13] and King of New Orleans Keyboard.[14]
• Professor Longhair, in 1974, released in 1997 on his album Rock `n Roll Gumbo. [15]
• Deep Purple, on their 2021 album Turning to Crime.[16]