“Green Onions,” by Booker T Jones and friends … (Soul / Pop – Music to Your Ears–4)

When he was just a kid, Booker T was listed in the “Who’s Who of American High Schools.”

Booker T Jones and friends – “Green Onions”

“Green Onions” (1962 ~ 2011)

Booker T Jones wrote the fine instrumental track “Green Onions”  in 1962, when he was only 17 years old. It was originally released as the B-side of a single. As soon as it was played on the radio, it began to attract popular attention, so it was quickly re-released as an A-side.    

That year, “Green Onions”  became a massive hit in the US. 15 years later, after it was included in the 1979 film “Quadrophenia,”  it attracted renewed interest and gained much wider exposure. 

Funky, not Green 

The bassist had wanted to call the song “Funky Onions,”  but certain people thought that that sounded rude or even obscene. So, they renamed it “Green Onions.”  Too bad.   

The 2011 version – in the above YouTube video – was recorded as part of the series “Live From Daryl’s House,”  in which the musician Daryl Hall (of Hall and Oates fame) invites musicians into his home to dine on some fine food, and then to jam in a relaxed atmosphere.    _{(Image source)}

Booker T Jones 

Booker T Jones was a child prodigy who played a wide variety of instruments. His immense talent resulted in his being listed in the "Who's Who of American High Schools."  He started professional musical work when he was only 16, and the next year, his band Booker T. & the M.G.s released the phenomenally successful instrumental track “Green Onions.”  

50 Years of Success and Achievement (and Counting)

Over the course of his half-century-plus career, Booker T has played with, written songs for, and produced recordings for a wide variety of musicians – including Otis Redding, Ray Charles, and Neil Young.    

In 1992, Booker T Jones was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2007, in Nashville, he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. Also in 2007, he was honored with a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement    _{(Image source)}

“Green Onions” (original 1962 version) – Booker T. & the M.G.s

          Booker T. & the M.G.s – "Green Onions"   _{(Right-click to hear on YouTube)}

Into your ears … through 5 channels

 The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}
         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)
         2 – “Cover Versions”
         3 – “Honor Roll”
         4 – “Documentaries”
         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

Links to my other series ...

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”
          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”  

          Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"  
          Vocab-Ability – "Index"  to all Chapters and Sections  

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"  
          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"