Dale Hawkins - Singer Wrote "Susie Q"

Dale Hawkins, a Louisiana rockabilly singer and producer, wrote the 1957 hit song "Susie Q". It became a rock 'n' roll standard and was a hit in the 1960's for Creedance Clearwater Revival.

Mr Hawkins died of colon cancer on February 13, 2010 at the age of 73 at a hospital near his home in Little Rock, Arkansas.

His version was recorded with guitarists James Burton and Roy Buchanan. Rolling Stone magazine called it "the first rock 'n' roll song where the guitar counted more than the song itself".

Mr Hawkins grew up Louisiana plantation and was raised by his grandparents. He lied about his age to join the Navy at 16. Upon his return, he formed a band with Burton.

After one failed hit, a local disc jockey took a demo of "Susie Q" to Jerry Wexler of Atlanta Records. As apart of the agreement to promote it, Hawkins was forced to assign credit to Nashville DJ Gene Nobles. This cost him future royalties.

Mr Hawkins toured with his band over the next several years where they played in mostly Black venues where he was the only white performer.

During the 1960's he became a record producer, working on hits that included "Judy in Disguise". He later joined RCA Records, working with singer-song writers Mike Nesmith and Harry Nilsson.

After completing a drug rehab program the the 1980's , he opened up a crisis intervention program in Louisiana.