Obituary: Jerry Reed

Sep 5 2008 by David Charters, Liverpool Daily Post

ELVIS was slim and fit, talking in that slow, southern drawl, which reminded people of old country meeting-houses and honey.

He had just finished recording a song called Guitar Man, written by the fellah standing in front of him.

Although he had been around a while, writing hits for some big names, Jerry Reed was naturally a little over-awed to be in the presence of the King of Rock and Roll.

“Have you got anything else?” asked Elvis, cool as you like.

“No, man. listen, this is enough for me, believe me,” said Jerry, but Elvis repeated the question.

“Well... uh... yeah,” said the flattered Jerry. US Male, was mentioned by someone. “Let me hear it,” said Elvis. He listened to Jerry playing it and then said, “Let’s cut that thing.”

Both Guitar Man and US Male were international successes for Elvis, whose career was emerging from the long and unhappy period dominated by mediocre songs and even worse films.

By his teen years, Reed was a fine guitar picker with an unusual style, already performing in local clubs in Atlanta Georgia. Capitol Records, offered him a recording contract. Although his own records didn’t sell, his Crazy Legs was recorded by Gene Vincent in 1958 and Brenda Lee scored a Top 10 pop hit with, That's All You Gotta Do.

Before arriving in Nashville in 1962 as a session musician, Reed had served in the Army for two years.

His reputation rose quickly in musical circles and Reed entered the country charts with Guitar Man. Elvis immediately wanted to cover the song, but couldn’t find anyone who could get the guitar sound right.

Reed was fishing on the Cumberland River, Nashville, when Elvis’s people called, inviting him to play on the recording, an offer he couldn’t refuse. That led to US Male and he also played on Elvis’s version of Too Much Monkey Business.

Later Reed would have his only Top 20 hit with an Elvis tribute called Tupelo Mississippi Flash.

But perhaps the song most associated with Reed was A Thing Called Love, which was a huge hit for Johnny Cash, as well as being recorded by Elvis.

In a second career, Reed starred with Burt Reynolds in the Smokey and the Bandit series of trucker films in the 1970s.

Jerry Reed, guitarist, born March 20, 1937; died September 1, 2008.