A 1956 hit ranked among the greatest songs of all time helped define early rock and roll and became a lasting classic.

Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes” is and forever will be the quintessential rockabilly record. It was released by Sun Records on New Year’s Day, January 1, 1956. Perkins was already something of a ...

Perkins, who died in 1998, wrote "Blue Suede Shoes," the hit song sung by Elvis Presley, which became the first Sun label record to sell over a million copies. He spoke to Fresh Air in 1996.

Perkins was best known for writing the song "Blue Suede Shoes." In 1956, his version of "Blue Suede Shoes" was a pop, rhythm and blues and country hit. Soon after, Elvis had a huge hit with the song.