Song picture
Green Onions
Like
Playlist
9 Comment Share
Free download
An up-tempo version of Booker T. And The MG's 1962 hit song, as they would have performed it live.
rhythm and blues cover
Artist picture
a unique fusion of genres
The music of Michael Duran includes; "Collaborations" Projects with my Soundclick friends that I have had the honor to work with; "Homespun" Solo projects & Covers done at my home. live band recordings; 2000-2004 "The Shop" Heartbreak Highway 3 piece collab/studio recordings with; Steve Layman; Piano & Synth Steve Torok; Drums Michael Duran; Guitar, Synth, and Bass 1990's "The Knapps Cutoff Band" As Is Studio "open mic" and live recordings with; Marty Nicklin; Bass Steve Layman; Piano & Synth Steve Torok; Drums Michael Duran; Guitar & Synth Thanks to Nathan Bankston, Ray Garcia, and Chris Kenard for their fine vocals. 1980's "B'wana" salvaged tape recordings from my 80s club band. Dan Buck; Drums & Vocals Michael Duran; Guitar synth & Vocals Ron Olson; Bass & Vocals Bill Kramer; Lead Guitar
Song Info
Genre
Blues • Cover Songs
Charts
#45 in subgenre Peak #1
Charts
Peak #6
Author
Jones, Cropper, Steinberg, Jackson Jr.
Rights
Atlantic / Stax
Uploaded
May 12, 2021
Track Files
MP3
MP3 9.7 MB • 320 kbps • 4:15
Story behind the song
The first tune I ever learned to play on my bass guitar that my parents bought me for my 10th birthday. Since then I've played it a thousand times and learned it on all the instruments. Here goes play number one thousand and one. Thanks for listening! Booker T. and the MG's Green Onions Booker Taliaferro Jones Jr.; B3 Organ & Songwriter Steve Cropper; Telecaster Guitar & Songwriter Al Jackson Jr.; Drums, a Ludwig kit with a Rogers Powertone snare drum Lewie Steinberg; Fender Jazz Bass In summary; from an interview with guitarist Steve Cropper The song was originally just a jam recorded in 1962, while the band was waiting for Billy Lee Riley, a well known singer, to show up. Billy was a no-show that day, so while they were warming up on a Blues pattern, just 'jamming' and having fun, the studio engineer, Jim Stewart, thought it sounded so good, that he started the tape rolling. The band liked it, and asked Booker to add a riff he had been toying with the week before, the now famous 'Green Onions' organ riff was added. The song was put on the "B" side of their upcoming 45 single "Behave Yourself", that was engineered and cut by Steve's good friend Scotty Moore (Elvis guitarist). The song still had no name. the next day Steve takes the demo, with the unnamed tune on the 'B' side, to Ruben Warson a disc jockey at WLOK radio in Memphis, Tennessee, during the morning commute time slot. Ruben gave the record a spin while he was airing another tune, he then flipped to the 'B' side and after a few bars he smiled & lifted the needle, when the other tune finished, he spun-up the 2nd turntable, put the needle down, and played it on the air.. 4 times in a row! The phones immediately lit up, and he was flooded with calls for the name of the tune & where they could buy it, neither of which he had an answer to. Ruben looked over at Steve and said, "you better get serious!" So they got more pressings, settled out details with Atlantic by changing the demos label to Stax. Then they started pondering on a name for their new hit. One of the band had mentioned after the jam, "well, that stunk like onions", but Onions burned your eyes, and that name sounded too negative to Steve, so he suggested, how about "Green Onions" which he loved on potatoes. The name stuck, and Green Onions changed to the 'A' side of the 45 release, it quickly became a resounding #1 hit for the band. Booker T. and The MG's were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee in 2008, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 2012, and the Blues Hall of Fame in 2019.
8 Song Likes
On Playlists
Comments 9
Please sign up or log in to post a comment.
Swampman
Jun 27, 2022
Excellent cover cuz digging this one fo sure
digitalskull
Jun 17, 2021
That is an excellent version!
rodrica
May 16, 2021
Love the live feel to this version, and I really like the character, magical elements & extra energy you've given it!
steveweyman
May 13, 2021
Just saw this on Keiths page . I loved the original this is even better ! So powerful! Are you playing the keys and other instruments as well if guitar ?
KeithMitchell
May 12, 2021
Back in Feb 20 the last gig I went to before Covid I saw Booker T in London. He did this of course that night. The live feel here is like being back at that gig again Michael. Excellent version.
davidabriggs
May 12, 2021
I actually heard this on the radio a couple of days ago. Such a great tune it's still played all these years later. This version absolutely burns with energy. Wow.
MikeBennett
May 12, 2021
This does have a "live" sound to it. I did one of their's called "Hip Hug Her" that was decent, but Colonel Cropper never played this good!!!
AndrewNegustorov
May 12, 2021
Wow, this is really exciting! A real blues-rock drive is present in full! Sound great!
AlexisPatrick
May 12, 2021
The very best this song has ever been played. Michael, you are truly amazing. Magnificent guitar work, percussion and keyboard playing.. You are so Classical as you Rock everyone else off the planet.