Duo US originaire de Louisa (Kentucky). George (10/02/1910 - 07/1974) et Leslie (23/08/1917 - 21/02/1984), les York Brothers firent leurs débuts en 1939 à Detroit (Michigan). Ils signent avec Bullet (46), puis passe chez Fortune (49), King (51) et Decca Records (57). Pionniers du Hillbilly Boogie et du Rockabilly, le frères York ont passé quarante années au service de la Country Music.

The York Brothers played together from the '30s through the '50s, developing a musical style which grew from traditional country into a more contemporary sound. Both George and Leslie York were born in Lawrence County, Kentucky and were heavily influenced by the Delmore Brothers. As a young man, George worked in coal mines and later began his music career in Denver, Colorado, playing in local clubs and on the radio in the evenings. Leslie, who was seven years younger, got his start after winning a talent contest in Lexington, Kentucky. Not long afterward, the brothers teamed and played together on a station in Portsmouth, Ohio. They then moved to Detroit, where their music caught fire with the Southern transplants who had come to work in the burgeoning auto industry.
The Yorks made their recording debut in 1939 and had success with "Going Home" and the controversial, slightly racy "Hamtramck Mama," which was banned in the Polish-American Detroit suburb of the same name. The notoriety got the brothers signed to Decca in 1941, where they released six singles, including "Speak to Me Little Darling." Just as they were becoming popular, World War II erupted, and both Yorks served in the Navy until the war's end. They then joined the Grand Ole Opry and began recording for King in 1947, where they found success with such outspoken tunes as "Let's Not Sleep Again" and "Mountain Rosa Lee." They also became interested in rhythm and blues, a musical style that influenced some of their later songs like "Tennessee Tango" and "River of Tears."
George and Leslie returned to Detroit in 1950, where they stayed until 1953, moving to Dallas to work on local television. They recorded on King until 1956 and then started their own label. Around this time, George began having problems with his voice, so Leslie took over the lead parts. Eventually, the York Brothers went their separate ways; George ran a Dallas night club before his death in 1974, while Leslie worked different jobs until passing on a decade later.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_York_Brothers

Talents : George : Vocals, Guitar - Leslie : Vocals, Guitar

Style musical : Traditional Country, Rockabilly

Hamtramck Mama (1946)

Saint Joseph High School Bounce (1953)

DON'T TAKE IT SO HARD (1955)

Everybody's Tryin' To Be My Baby (1957)

KENTUCKY (1967)

Years in activity :

1910 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 2000 10 20

DISCOGRAPHY

78 t., Singles & EP

1939 78 t. UNIVERSAL 105/106 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Hamtramck Mama / Going Home
1940 78 t. Hot Wax 105/405 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Hamtramck Mama / It Tain't No Goo
1940 78 t. UNIVERSAL 107/108 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Highland Park Girl / Detroit Hula Girl
1940 78 t. UNIVERSAL 126/404 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Conscription Blues / Sweetheart Darling
1940 78 t. UNIVERSAL 126/402 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Conscription Blues / Gambler’s Blues
1941 78 t. Mellow 1619 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Blue Skies Turned To Grey / I Don't Want To Part Of You
1941 78 t. Mellow 1620 (US) .

YORK BROS. - I'll Be Happy Again / Goodbye And Good Luck To You
1941 78 t. Mellow 1621 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Long Gone / Just Waiting You
1941 78 t. Mellow 1622 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Hail Hail Of Glory / Riding And Singing My Song
1941 78 t. Mellow 1623 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Hillbilly Rose / If I Would Ever Lose You
03/1941 78 t. DECCA 5933 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - You Took My Sunshine With You / Speak To Me, Little Darling
04/1941 78 t. DECCA 5943 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Got Ramblin' And Gamblin' On My Mind / Naggin Young Woman
1942 78 t. Mellow 405/1105 (US) .

YORK BROS. - It Ain't No Good / Hamtramck Mama
03/1942 78 t. DECCA 6018 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - My Little Honmeysuckle Rose / I'm Saying Goodbye
1942 78 t. Mellow 1624 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Life Can Never Be The Same / Going Back To The Sunny South
1942 78 t. Mellow 1625 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Gonna Catch The Train / Jealous Hearted Blues
1942 78 t. Mellow 1629 (US) . YORK BROS. - Home In Old Tennessee [one sided test release, possibly unissued]
1942 78 t. Mellow 1633 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Memories Of You / New Trail To Mexico
1942 78 t. Mellow 1634 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Rose Of The Rio Grande / York Brothers Blues
1943 ? 78 t. Mellow 1635 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Kentucky’s Calling Me / Got To Get Rid Of My Worried Mind
1943 ? 78 t. Mellow 1636 (US) .

YORK BROS. - I Told The Moon About You [one sided test release, possibly unissued]
1943 78 t. Mellow 1637 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Maybe Then You'll Care / You Stayed Away Too Long
1943 78 t. Mellow 1638 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Going To The Shinding / Mother's Sunny Smile
11/1943 78 t. Mellow 1640/1641 (US) .

YORK BROS. - A Merry Christmas To The Boys Over There / Not Over Thirty-Five
1943 78 t. Mellow 1642 (US) .

YORK BROS. - I Got My Eyes On You / You'll Pay For It All
1946 78 t. BULLET 607 (US) .

York Bros.  - George And Leslie - I'm Not Fooling / Mine In Dreams
1946 78 t. BULLET 610 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Blues Why Don't You Leave Me Alone / Yesterday's Love
12/1946 78 t. BULLET 618 (US) . YORK BROS. - Hamtramck Mama / My Tears Will Never Make You Change
03/1947 78 t. BULLET 619 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Let's Talk It Over, Please Do / Hop, Skip And Jump
1947 78 t. BULLET 641 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Mother's Not Dead, She's Only Sleeping / Got Blues On My Mind
1947 78 t. BULLET 642 (US) .

YORK BROS. - I'm A Soldier For Jesus / Blue Ridge Mountain Blues
11/1947 78 t. KING 669 (US)

YORK BROS. - Let's Don't Sleep Again / They Laid My Darling Away
1948 78 t. KING 683 (US) .

YORK BROS. - New Mississippi River Blues / If I Knew I'd Never Lose You (withdrawn before release)
02/1948 78 t. KING 690 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Let's Talk Our Troubles Over / Nothing But The Blues
02/1948 78 t. KING 691 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Mountain Rosa Lee / You're The One
07/1948 78 t. KING 723 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Sweet Anita / It Ain't No Good
02/1949 78 t. KING 766 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - A Package Of Old Love Letters / New Mississippi River Blues
10/1949 78 t. FORTUNE 120 (US) . YORK BROS. - Hamtramack Mama / Highland Park Girl
1949 78 t. RIALTO 118 (US) .

Calling Me (YORK BROTHERS) / You Are My Sunshine (Cliff  & His Boys)
02/1950 78 t. KING 852 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Take A Number / Gravy Train
02/1950 SP KING 45-852 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Take A Number / Gravy Train
04/1950 78 t. KING 858 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Motor City Boogie / I'm Going Back Home To Stay
04/1950 SP KING 45-858 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Motor City Boogie / I'm Going Back Home To Stay
07/1950 78 t. KING 881 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Don't Let Your Love Die / Long Time Ago
07/1950 SP KING 45-881 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Don't Let Your Love Die / Long Time Ago
10/1950 78 t. KING 901 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Kill Her With Kindness / Road Of Sadness
10/1950 SP KING 45-901 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Kill Her With Kindness / Road Of Sadness
07/1951 78 t. KING 970 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Sixty Minute Man / Lookin' For Somebody New
07/1951 SP KING 45-970 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Sixty Minute Man / Lookin' For Somebody New
09/1951 78 t. KING 983 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Chicken Blues / Tremblin
09/1951 SP KING 45-983 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Chicken Blues / Tremblin
02/1952 78 t. KING 1042 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Love, Sweet Love / When You Want A Little Lovin'
02/1952 SP KING 45-1042 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Love, Sweet Love / When You Want A Little Lovin'
04/1952 78 t. KING 1049 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - My Carolina Gal / That's Why I'm Cryin' All The Time
04/1952 SP KING 45-1049 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - My Carolina Gal / That's Why I'm Cryin' All The Time
05/1952 78 t. KING 1067 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - The Hard Way / I Love You Waltz
05/1952 SP KING 45-1067 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - The Hard Way / I Love You Waltz
08/1952 78 t. KING 1092 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Two Sides To Every Story / Twirly, Whirly
08/1952 SP KING 45-1092 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Two Sides To Every Story / Twirly, Whirly
10/1952 78 t. KING 1135 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Tennessee Tango / River Of Tears
10/1952 SP KING 45-1135 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Tennessee Tango / River Of Tears
01/1953 78 t. KING 1156 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - So Full Of Love / Baby, I'm Lost Without You 
01/1953 SP KING 45-1156 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - So Full Of Love / Baby, I'm Lost Without You 
02/1953 78 t. KING 1170 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Why (Was I Born To Be Blue) / Baby, Come On Home
02/1953 SP KING 45-1170 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Why (Was I Born To Be Blue) / Baby, Come On Home
02/1953 78 t. KING 1173 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Saint Joseph High School Bounce (instr.) / Lakewood And J.Marshall Blues (instr.)
02/1953 SP KING 45-1173 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Saint Joseph High School Bounce (instr.) / Lakewood And J.Marshall Blues (instr.)

05/1953 78 t. KING 1206 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - The Rocky, Bumpy Road To Love / Ever Since We Met
05/1953 SP KING 45-1206 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - The Rocky, Bumpy Road To Love / Ever Since We Met
08/1953 78 t. KING 1248 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Why Don't You Ever Open The Door / You're My Every Dream Come True
08/1953 SP KING 45-1248 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Why Don't You Ever Open The Door / You're My Every Dream Come True
11/1953 78 t. KING 1277 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Starlight, My Love / My Prayer Tonight
11/1953 SP KING 45-1277 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Starlight, My Love / My Prayer Tonight
01/1954 78 t. KING 1299 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Kentucky / Tight Wad
01/1954 SP KING 45-1299 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Kentucky / Tight Wad
03/1954 78 t. KING 1324 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - I Get The Blues In Springtime / Mister Midnight
03/1954 SP KING 45-1324 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - I Get The Blues In Springtime / Mister Midnight
05/1954 78 t. KING 1351 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Deep Within My Heart / I'll Leave The Door Open
05/1954 SP KING 45-1351 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Deep Within My Heart / I'll Leave The Door Open
06/1954 78 t. KING 1362 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Strange Town / Three O' Clock Blues
06/1954 SP KING 45-1362 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Strange Town / Three O' Clock Blues
11/1954 78 t. KING 1400 (US)  . YORK BROTHERS - Horts Me To My Heart / Two Loves In One Night
11/1954 SP KING 45-1400 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Horts Me To My Heart / Two Loves In One Night
12/1954 78 t. KING 1418 (US)  . YORK BROTHERS - Don't Leave Me With Yum-Yum Blues / Why Did You Have To Go?
12/1954 SP KING 45-1418 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Don't Leave Me With Yum-Yum Blues / Why Did You Have To Go?
1954 SP FORTUNE 180 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Detroit Hula Girl / Going Home
1954 EP KING EP-316 (US)

YORK BROTHERS - Tennessee Tango / Why Don't You Open The Door / Tight Wad / River Of Tears
01/1955 78 t. KING 1434 (US)  . YORK BROTHERS - Chip On Your Shoulder / That's All I Want From You
01/1955 SP KING 45-1434 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Chip On Your Shoulder / That's All I Want From You
03/1955 78 t. KING 1449 (US)  . YORK BROTHERS - House With No Windows / If You Hadn't Told The First Lie
03/1955 SP KING 45-1449 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - House With No Windows / If You Hadn't Told The First Lie
05/1955 78 t. KING 1468 (US)  . YORK BROTHERS - Mohawk Squaw / These Haunting Years
05/1955 SP KING 45-1468 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Mohawk Squaw / These Haunting Years
07/1955 78 t. KING 1488 (US)  . YORK BROTHERS - Don't Take It So Hard / Pretty Little Thing
07/1955 SP KING 45-1488 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - Don't Take It So Hard / Pretty Little Thing
10/1955 78 t. KING 1503 (US)  . YORK BROTHERS - Don't Get Your Dander Up / Whatsover You Do
10/1955 SP KING 45-1503 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS - Don't Get Your Dander Up / Whatsover You Do
02/1956 78 t. KING 4887 (US)  . Pretty Little Tattle Tale (Leslie YORK) / What Would I Do? (YORK BROTHERS)
02/1956 SP KING 45-4887 (US) .

Pretty Little Tattle Tale (Leslie YORK) / What Would I Do? (YORK BROTHERS)
04/1956 78 t. KING 4914 (US)  . Lightning Struck My Heart (Leslie YORK) / I'll See It Happens To You (YORK BROTHERS)
04/1956 SP KING 45-4914 (US) .

Lightning Struck My Heart (Leslie YORK) / I'll See It Happens To You (YORK BROTHERS)
10/1956 78 t. KING 4994 (US) . You Get Mad (Les YORK) / Wages Of Sin (YORK BROTHERS)
10/1956 SP KING 45-4994 (US) .

You Get Mad (Les YORK) / Wages Of Sin (YORK BROTHERS)
02/1957 SP KING 45-5019 (US) .

Blue River (Les YORK) /  Words Without Feeling (YORK BROTHERS)
05/1957 SP SAGE 45-241 (US) . Les YORK - I'll Cry Again, Tomorrow / River Of No Return
10/1957 SP DECCA 9-30473 (US) . YORK BROTHERS - I Want My Baby Back / Everybody's Tryin' To Be My Baby
1959 EP PARLOPHONE GEP 8736 (UK)

YORK BROTHERS - Country And Western - Love, Sweet Love / Mohawk Squaw / Kentucky / Chicken Blues
1959 EP PARLOPHONE GEP 8753 (UK) YORK BROTHERS - Country And Western No.2 - Tennessee Tango / Pretty Little Tattle Tale / Why Don't You Open The Door / Blue River
1960 SP YORK 109 (US) .

Tumbling Tumbleweeds (York Bros. & Carl Phillips) / El Rancho Grande (YORK BROTHERS)
1963 SP YORK BROS. 100 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Unwanted Roses / Monday Morning Blues

1964 SP YORK YORK-104 (US) . Les YORK - Ocean Of Sorrow / Roane County Prisoner
1964 SP YORK YORK-107 (US) .

Les YORK - The Girl In The Blue Velvet Band / I’ll See It Happen To You 
1965 SP YORK 600Y-109 (US) . George YORK - After Tomorrow / Hang Your Head In Shame
1965 SP YORK 600Y-1010 (US) .

YORK BROTHERS -  LESLIE & GEORGE - Jealous, Have Mercy / Over The Hill
1965 SP YORK 600Y-111 (US) . Les YORK - Big Man / I'll Cry Again Tomorrow
1966 SP YORK 600Y-114 (US) . Les YORK - Big Blue Diamonds / My Carolina Sunshine Girl
1966 SP FORTUNE 120 (US) .

YORK BROS. - Hamtramck Mama / Highland Park Girl
1967 SP YORK ROP-1018/9 (US) . Les YORK - Let’s Stop It Today / Gonna Find Me A Bluebird
1967 SP YORK ROP-120/1 (US) .

Kentucky (YORK BROTHERS) / Buddy Be Careful (George YORK)

















Albums

1957 LP 12" KING 586 (US)

16 FAVORITES, VOLUME 1 - Tightwad / My Prayer Tonight / Love Sweet Love / When You Want A Little Lovin' / Two Loves In One Night / These Haunting Years / Mohawk Squaw / Deep Within My Heart / Baby I'm Lost Without You / Kentucky / Tremblin' / Twirly Whirly / Chicken Blues / River Of Tears / Don't Leave Me With The Yum Yum Blues / House With No Windows
1958 LP 12" KING 591 (US) THE YORK BROTHERS, VOLUME 2 - Tennessee Tango / I Get The Blues In The Springtime / Baby Come On Home / Pretty Little Tattle Tale / Hurts Me To My Heart / You're My Every Dream Come True / If You Hadn't Told Me The First Lie / Mister Midnight / Why Don't You Open The Door / Two Sides To Every Story / Take A Number / Pretty Little Thing / Don't Take It So Hard / Hard Way / Ever Since We Met / Blue River
1963 LP 12" KING 820 (US) 16 GREAT COUNTRY & WESTERN SONGS - Don't Get Your Dander Up / Wages Of Sin / Three O'Clock Blues / That's Why I'm Crying All The Time / My Carolina Gal / Starlight My Love / Words Without Feeling / Why Did You Have To Go / You Get Mad / Whatsoever You Do / So Full Of Love / I Love You (My Darling) / Looking For Somebody New / Why Was I Born To Be Blue / What Would I Do / The Rocky, Bumpy Road To Love
1966 LP 12" KING 944 (US)

The York Brothers Sing 24 Songs - Twirly Whirly / Tightwad / Chicken Blues / These Haunting Years / River Of Tears / Don't Leave Me With The Yum Yum Blues / Deep Within My Heart / I Get The Blues In The Springtime / Why Don't You Open The Door / Blue River / Two Sides To Every Story / Pretty Little Tattle Tale / Mister Midnight / You're My Every Dream Come True / If You Hadn't Told The First Lie / Pretty Little Thing / The Hard Way / Ever Since We Met / What Would I Do / Starlight My Love / Gravy Train / The Rocky, Bumpy, Road To Love / Road Of Sadness / I'm Coming Back Home To Stay
09/1988 LP 12" Old Homestead OHCS-324 (US)

Early Favorites, vol. 1 - Kentucky / Over The Hill / Monday Morning Blues / Girl In The Blue Velvet Band / I'll Cry Again Tomorrow / Let's Stop It Today / Buddy Be Careful / Jealousy Have Mercy / Big Man / Hang Your Head In Shame / After Tomorrow / I'll See It Happen To You / Unwanted Roses / Gonna Find Me A Bluebird
1998 CD COLLECTOR CLCD 2861 (NL) DETROIT IN THE 40'S AND 50'S - VOL. ONE - Going To The Shindig / Mountain Rosa Lee / You're The One / Let's Talk Our Troubles Over / It Taint No Good / Highland Park Girl / Hamtramck Mama / Detroit Hula Girl / Gambler's Blues / Going Home / I Ain't No Good / New Mississippi River Blues / It Ain't No Good / Motor City Boogie / Lookin' For Somebody New / Saint Joseph's High School Bounce / Gravy Train / Sixty Minute Man / I'm Coming Back Home To Stay / Chicken Blues / That's Why I'm Crying All The Time / Don't Leave Me With The Yum Yum Blues / Tremblin' / Lakewood And John Marshall Blues / Love Sweet Love / You Get Mad / Mr. Midnight / Pretty Little Thing
1999 CD Woodward WWD-102 (US)

York Brothers In Detroit - Hamtrack Mama / It Taint No Good / I Don't Want No Part Of You / We're Gonna Catch That Train / Riding And Singing My Song / It Makes Me Jealous Hearted / Going Back To The Sunny South / Going To The Shindig (with Jonnie Lavender) / I Got My Eyes On You (with Jonnie Lavender) / Got To Get Rid Of My Worried Mind / Hillbilly Rose / Gamblers Blues / Highland Park Girl / Detroit Hulu Girl
2001 CD CATTLE CCD-251 (GER) HAMTRAMCK MAMA - Hamtramck Mama [original] / Hamtramck Mama [remake] / Hamtramck Mama [Bullet version] / My Tears Will Never Make You Change / I'm Not Fooling / Mine In Dreams / Blues Why Don't You Leave Me Alone / Yesterday's Love / It Ain't No Good / Riding And Singing My Song / Hail Hail Ol' Glory / Memories Of You / New Trail To Mexico / Rose Of The Rio Grande / York Brothers Blues / I Got My Eyes On You / You'll Pay For It All / Highland Park Girl / Detroit Hula Girl / You Took My Sunshine With You / Speak To Me Little Darling / Got Ramblin' And Gamblin' On My Mind / Naggin' Young Woman / Motor City Boogie / Road Of Sadness / Gravy Train / Kill Her With Kindness
02/2006 CD ACE CHCHD-1103 (UK) LONG TIME GONE - Motor City Boogie / I'm Coming Back Home To Stay / Kill Her With Kindness / Long Time Gone / Gravy Train / Life Can Never Be The Same / Let's Don't Sleep Again / Long Gone / You Won My Heart With A Song / New Mississippi River Blues / If I Knew I'd Never Lose You / It Ain't No Good / Let's Talk Our Troubles Over / Traveling Man [take 6] / You're The One / Nothing But The Blues / Road Of Sadness / I Don't Want No Part Of You / Mountain Rosa Lee / They Laid My Darling Away / Riding And Singing My Song / I Wish I Had Of Known / Motor City Boogie / Traveling Man
2007 CD BACM CD D-160 (UK)

Going Back To The Sunny South - YORK BROTHERS 1939-1942 - Going Home / Conscription Blues / That Nagging Young Hussey / My Little Honeysuckle Rose / I’m Saying Goodbye / Gambler’s Blues / Sweetheart Darling / Blue Skies Turned To Grey / I Don’t Want No Part Of You / Just Wanting You / Life Can Never Be The Same / Going Back To The Sunny South / Long Gone / Hillbilly Rose / We’re Gonna Catch That Train / It Makes Me Jealous Hearted / If I Would Never Lose You / I’ll Be Happy Again / Goodbye And Luck To You / Going To The Shindig / Mother’s Sunny Smile / Home In Old Tennessee / Got To Get Rid Of My Worried Mind / Kentucky’s Calling Me / Maybe Then You’ll Care / Not Over Thirty Five / A Merry Christmas To The Boys Over There.

© Rocky Productions 1/11/2020