The Honkers formed in Los Angeles in the late 1950s, with Robbie Robertson on vocals and guitar, Levon Helm on drums, Rick Danko on bass, and Garth Hudson on keyboards. Their 1959 single "Devil Girl" became a hit, pulling them into the spotlight during rockabilly's early years.
They put out albums like "The Honkers" in 1959 and "Live at the Palladium" in 1962, and songs like "12 Hours" and "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea" kept their sound rooted in that driving, rhythmic style. Their live shows had a reputation for being rowdy, which sometimes caused friction with venues.
The band broke up in 1976. Robertson later found success as a solo artist and film composer, while the group's early recordings remained touchstones for later rock and roll acts.
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